Cyber Security Quick Wins For SMEs

Published on 22 December 2021

Now more than ever, SMEs need to protect themselves from cyber-attacks. According to the Cyber Security Breaches survey for 2023, 32% of businesses identified a cyber security breach or attack in the past year. Of the affected businesses, 1 in 5 lost money, data, as well as other assets. While it’s more likely that a larger business will be the target of a cyber attack, they also have the resources to invest more in their cyber security, which means many SMEs leave themselves vulnerable.

There are many ways in which a business can safeguard itself against security threats, for example, by getting Cyber Essentials accredited. However, there are many other ways for your business to gain quick cyber security wins right now. Here are three simple but effective ways you can protect your business from the latest cyber security threats.

Quick Cyber Security Wins for Your Business

Passwords

Using strong passwords is one of the best ways for you to protect your business from cyber attacks. The National Cyber Security Centre discusses the risks associated with low-quality passwords and why people often resort to using the same password for multiple logins. Put simply, however, without strong password hygiene, you and your employees increase the risk of a cyber breach occurring.

If you use the same password to access your work emails as well as a social media account, and your social media account is breached, you run the risk of the cybercriminal gaining access to your sensitive work data too. This should be especially concerning if you’re running a BYOD (bring your own device) strategy within your organisation.

Two quick ways to solve this are:

– Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA).

o   MFA means that you and your employees will need to ‘verify’ themselves when they log in. This could be a code sent to the person trying to log in’s phone that must be entered to gain access to the account.

• This does two things:
• Increases the security on that account by using another form of authentication to confirm you are who you say you are.
• Notifies you of an unknown person trying to access your account, this is a chance for you to change that password as it has now been compromised.

– Password Manager

o   It can be difficult to remember so many unique passwords for each account you have, that is where a Password Manager comes in handy. A Password Manager is essentially a vault that stores all your passwords and login details, so all you need to remember is a single strong password to gain access to it.

o   If you are interested in using a Password Manager Bluebell IT Solutions recommends LastPass, alternatively, you can read this article by TechRadar to find the best fit for your organisation.

Software Updates

Everyone has been there; it’s the end of a long workday and just as you’re about to shut down your computer you get a notification asking you to update your software. There is no way of knowing how long the update will take, so you hit ‘Remind me later’, again and again. But these updates are important.

Software companies, like Microsoft and Apple, are not sending out these updates for no reason, they serve an important role in protecting your data from cyber security attacks. Software companies are continuously on the lookout for small gaps in their software that could leave you vulnerable to a cyber breach or attack. Once they develop a solution to a discovered problem, the fix is delivered to you in the form of an update for you to install. That’s why hitting ‘Remind me later’ consistently, may cause more hassle in the long run.

Installing updates is a quick and easy way to reinforce your cyber security right now, all you need to do is get everyone in your office to update all the devices they use to access work data. Following that, you can set your device and software to update automatically across all staff devices to avoid this in the future. Device Management applications are available that give you centralised control, such as Microsoft Intune or Windows Server Update Services, which allow you to see which devices are compliant with the latest updates and force updates on key devices.

Defending your Network Perimeter

Defending your network perimeter involves ensuring you have and use a firewall to protect your internet connection. A firewall will look at any data coming into your computer, phone, or laptop from the internet and make sure it is safe to access. Think of it as the doorman of your network. Without a firewall, you’re leaving your network open to viruses that have been unknowingly downloaded from the internet when trying to access a service.

Many computers already come with some kind of firewall installed. Here is a quick way to check if your computer has one:

• Select ‘Start’
• Select ‘Settings’
• Select ‘Update & Security’
• Select ‘Windows Security’ (in the side column)
• Selected ‘Firewall & Network protection’
• All the Firewall options should be turned on.

Nearly half of all businesses experience a cyber attack, with phishing being the most common type. Of these incidents, 84% involved phishing attempts. The reason phishing is the most common and most successful comes down to human error, something that can happen to anyone. Staff lacking security awareness training is one of the most common ways a business experiences cyber security breaches as they’re often liable to fall for phishing attacks. It’s important that you regularly educate your staff on the latest cyber security processes to ensure your business is equipped to spot a phishing attack and avoid it.

Data Backup and Recovery Plans

Data is the lifeblood of modern businesses, and the consequences of losing access to it can be dire. Consider that 93% of companies without a disaster recovery plan who suffer a major data disaster go out of business within a year. This makes regular backups a non-negotiable practice for SMEs. With cloud-based solutions, backups are not only automated but also securely stored off-site, away from your physical infrastructure. Cloud storage offers businesses the ability to restore their systems remotely, minimising downtime and mitigating the impact of ransomware attacks or hardware failures.

But backups alone won’t protect your business unless you have a well-defined disaster recovery plan in place. This plan should map out step-by-step instructions on how to restore critical systems and data quickly following an incident. Establishing a disaster recovery strategy that prioritises key areas of your business ensures that the most important systems are operational first, thereby minimising disruption and helping you get back on your feet faster. 

Staff Awareness and Training

Your workforce is a fundamental part of your cyber security defences. Given that 82% of breaches involve a human element, businesses must prioritise ongoing staff awareness training. Employees, particularly in SMEs, are often targeted by cybercriminals because they may lack the in-depth security awareness that larger corporations invest in. Without adequate cyber security training, staff can inadvertently expose sensitive data or fall victim to phishing scams.

Here are some essential cyber security tips for improving staff awareness in SMEs:

• Phishing Awareness: Train staff to recognise phishing emails by looking for suspicious links, attachments, and requests for personal information.
• Password Management: Encourage employees to use strong, unique passwords and multi-factor authentication (MFA).
• Regular Updates: Ensure all software and systems are up to date with the latest security patches.
• Data Handling Protocols: Teach employees the importance of securely handling sensitive data, like encryption and secure sharing platforms.
• Incident Response Training: Prepare staff for potential breaches, making sure they understand how to report and respond quickly.

Partner with Bluebell to Boost Your SME’s Cyber Security

SMEs remain prime targets for cyber-attacks, with over 43% of small businesses reporting some form of cyber incident in recent years. However, most SMEs lack the resources for dedicated in-house IT security teams, making them vulnerable. At Bluebell IT Solutions, we understand the unique challenges SMEs face in securing their systems, and we provide tailored, cost-effective solutions to ensure maximum protection.

Our managed IT services go beyond basic monitoring and firewall setups. We deliver end-to-end support to your business—from IT support to network support services—ensuring that your business is always one step ahead of emerging threats. Whether you’re looking to improve password management, strengthen data backup protocols, or reinforce your network defences, our team of experts will develop a strategy that fits your business needs.

Getting Cyber Essentials accredited is an excellent place to start safeguarding your business. For help becoming accredited, book a meeting with someone from our friendly team below. Contact us today to discover how Bluebell can help safeguard your SME, giving you peace of mind to focus on growing your business while we handle the evolving threat landscape.