Data breaches expose the sensitive information you have about your business and customers. This may leave you vulnerable to liability claims and damage the positive reputation you’ve worked so hard to build. While breaches of major companies get the most attention, many cybercriminals target small or medium-sized businesses. Luckily, you can implement a few cybersecurity measures to protect your data. Here’s all you need to know about this topic to take action.

How Data Breaches Occur

They typically happen when a cybercriminal finds a vulnerability in your network. Despite pop culture depictions of hackers typing furiously on their keyboards to access firewalls, most data breaches are the result of social engineering. This involves tricking an employee into giving them their login credentials or downloading malware that gives criminals access to their computers.

Most scams happen through email. Cybercriminals send out fraudulent messages made to look official. These emails prompt users to click on links that automatically download malicious software, giving criminals access to secure networks. In some cases, a data thief may call an employee, claiming that the IT department needs them to confirm their login information.

How to Prevent Them

Malware protection software is an essential investment for businesses of all sizes. Remember to keep your anti-virus programs updated, since patches that fix common bugs come out regularly.

Most importantly, your employees should be trained on safe internet usage, including how to identify suspicious emails. For instance, fraudulent emails will usually come from addresses that are similar to a recognized source. They’ll also often ask for login information, which most reputable companies will never do over email. Typos and grammatical errors throughout are also common signs of scam attempts.

For added protection, request that your employees change their passwords frequently to reduce the likelihood that someone could gain access to their credentials. 
 

For almost 20 years, Network Solutions & Technology has helped businesses throughout the New York Metropolitan Area secure their data. Along with IT consulting, they also offer detailed cybersecurity training to ensure your team knows how to handle common threats. Learn more about their cybersecurity training services online, get more tech tips and updates on Twitter, or call (877) 678-8080 to speak with an expert today.