Running a business today is like guarding a treasure chest — while locks might become more sophisticated, thieves are constantly improving their lock-picking skills. Cybercrime isn’t just an IT issue; it’s a DEFCON 1 level business risk that affects your operations, reputation and bottom line. Here are some key lessons to take away from real-world crimes, and more importantly, the practical steps you can take to secure your business in the upcoming year.
What We Can Learn about Cybersecurity from Real-World Crimes
In late 2024, the NFL alerted teams about a string of home burglaries targeting players — the Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce being two early targets. These crimes weren’t random; they were meticulously planned, with criminals timing their actions to coincide with games.
The same principle applies online: cybercriminals exploit predictable patterns and gaps in your defenses to launch attacks. The takeaway? Criminals are strategic, and businesses must anticipate vulnerabilities and proactively address them before issues arise.
Simple Steps to Protect Your Business from Cyber Threats
Here are actionable strategies to help safeguard your business from cyber threats, focusing on practical and impactful things you can do right now:
- Restrict Access to Sensitive Information
Think of your business like your own house. Not everyone who comes and goes needs a key. Implementing systems to limit access to sensitive data minimizes risk. Partnering with a trusted IT provider ensures these systems are tailored to your business. For example, having worked with so many Kansas City business owners across a variety of industries, Invision can even help you uncover what information is the most sensitive and who really should have access, which is half the battle.
- Educate Your Team on Threats
Cybercriminals are tricksters, fooling your employees with authentic-looking phishing emails, pop-ups with malware and such. Training your team on how to recognize fake emails and suspicious messages is an effective first line of defense. Education and awareness are your most affordable and powerful tools, and our cybersecurity experts are always ready to help.
- Use Monitoring Tools
Monitoring tools act like security cameras for your digital assets. They detect unusual activity, so you and your IT partner can address small issues before they escalate. Invision’s IT experts can set up and manage these tools so you can focus on running your business.
- Test Your Security Regularly
Any type of safety protocol should be tested occasionally for good measure, right? Think of security testing as running fire drills for your business. Regular evaluations ensure your defenses remain effective and up to date. Partnering with Invision’s IT professionals simplifies the process and ensures vulnerabilities are buttoned up quickly.
- Keep Backups of Your Important Data
Imagine losing critical files overnight. A reliable backup system ensures you can quickly recover and resume operations if something goes wrong. Invision’s outsourced IT experts can set up and manage this for you, so it’s one less thing you must worry about.
- Simplify and Streamline Your Platforms
The more platforms (be they systems or software) your data is scattered between, the higher the risk of errors and vulnerabilities to exploit. Consolidating (and streamlining) your systems and/or software makes everything more secure and efficient, and it’s a task best handled by professionals to avoid losing data.
The Risks of Ignoring Cybersecurity
Cyber threats aren’t just a concern for large companies. Smaller businesses often face greater risks because they may lack the resources to implement strong defenses – and don’t think cybercriminals don’t know it. The consequences come at great loss, including but not limited to:
- Lost Time: Recovering from an attack can disrupt operations for days or weeks.
- Lost Money: The costs of repairs, fines or lost customers can add up quickly.
- Lost Trust: A data breach can damage your reputation and relationships with customers.
Looking for a Trusted Outsourced IT Partner in Kansas City?
Protecting your business from cyber criminals feels overwhelming because it IS overwhelming thanks to constantly changing threats. Let Invision take the guesswork out of protecting your business, handling everything from securing your data to monitoring for potential threats. With the right outsourced IT partner, you can focus on growing your business and leave the cybersecurity services to us.
Reach out today and let us help you create a plan that protects your business and supports your success.