Los Angeles is many things. It’s the 21st largest economy in the world. It has 1.3 million small to mid-sized businesses–more than any other US county. Like everywhere else in the nation, SMBs account for 54% of all sales in L.A. The very size of the region makes LA an attractive target for cyber criminals. That makes cyber security for small businesses a must.
Cyber Crime Is On The Rise In Small Businesses
While we hear about corporate giants being the victims of billion-dollar ransoms, data breaches, and reputation injury, 46% of all cyber crime impacts businesses with fewer than 1,000 employees.
Of those, 43% were companies with 250 or fewer employees in 2014 and that number has steadily climbed. In 2021, 61% of small to mid-sized businesses were the target of a cyberattack. Even more disturbing, 82% of all ransomware attacks that same year were against companies with fewer than 1,000 employees.
In today’s technology rich corporate landscape, cyber criminals have shifted their focus away from large enterprise companies. They are increasingly focused on smaller prey, which makes Cyber security for small business a key facet of any IT infrastructure.
Why? Because SMBs can offer products and services and connect with customers who otherwise are out of their scope using technology. Furthermore, it’s this use of technology that puts SMBs at risk for cyber attacks.
Why Is Cyber Security Important?
In 2020, Verizon reported that 43% of small businesses were the target of a cyberattack – costing companies a whopping $800 million a year from phishing attacks alone. In the U.S., the total cost of cybercrimes to SMBs is more than $2.5 billion, according to the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).
This is especially true for the many media and entertainment companies based in Los Angeles. Even more alarming, while 79% polled believed their cybersecurity solutions would keep them safe, 51% of them experience at least 3 cyberattacks each year.
Small Business Cybersecurity Measures Are More Critical Than Ever
Safeguards include antivirus software, firewalls, and regular software upgrades. But it’s not just about technology. It’s also about having a cybersecurity plan in place to identify a company’s risks, details the actions required to mitigate those risks, and develop protocols for responding to those risks. A virtual CIO specializing in cybersecurity can help you come up with a strong plan and protocols.
But here’s the rub. SMBs are attacked because many are lax in security to begin with. It’s not a matter of not caring, it’s more a matter of not knowing what threats are really out there or what they look like. Therefore, when they are discovered, it’s often too late and an attack is already underway.
That’s Where Los Angeles IT Companies Like Frontline Come In
We not only have the resources and expertise to address any and all small business cybersecurity needs, we have something equally valuable – time.
Most SMBs don’t have staff dedicated solely to IT cybersecurity and 24-hour monitoring so threats don’t turn into crimes. Here’s how we became one of the top Los Angeles IT companies that helps LA-based SMBs stay secure:
Risk Assessment And Management
We conduct thorough risk assessments to identify vulnerabilities with a client’s network and systems. This includes evaluating the entire IT infrastructure from hardware and software to network configurations to identify potential security gaps.
IT Security Remediation
This goes way beyond firewalls, anti-virus software, intrusion detection systems, and multi-factor authentication. In addition to fortifying those elements, we also take extra measures like implementing secure Wi-Fi networks and VPNs for safe remote access.
Vulnerability Testing
We continually look for cracks in your IT infrastructure and correct them and harden your system so malicious actors don’t have the opportunity to exploit those weaknesses.
Regular Software Updates And Patch Management
Keeping your software up-to-date is crucial in preventing cyber attacks. We ensure that all systems and applications are regularly updated with the latest patches and software versions.
Data Backup, Encryption, And Recovery Plans
It’s vital to have a backup and recovery plan should you become the victim of a cyber attack. It’s routine for us to perform daily, even hourly backups both on-site and to the cloud to assist with quick recovery if needed.
With more and more companies moving their operations online, the best way to protect data is through data encryption. Encryption is where we transform readable data into an unreadable format, making it impossible for anyone who does not have the decryption key to read it.
Employee Training And Awareness
Human error is a significant risk factor in cyber security. That’s why we offer training sessions to help employees recognize phishing attempts, use strong passwords, and follow best practices in cyber hygiene.
We also train employees to be on the lookout for social engineering attacks, where a cyber criminal uses deception and manipulation to trick them into giving up sensitive information or access to systems.
24/7 Monitoring And Support
Continuous monitoring of our clients’ networks can help detect suspicious activity early while round-the-clock monitoring and support allows us to respond immediately to security incidents.
Compliance And Regulatory Guidance
We help our Los Angeles Managed IT Services clients ensure that their security strategy aligns with laws like the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).
Customized Security Strategies
Just as every company is unique, so are their vulnerabilities. We can develop a tailored security strategy that works with specific requirements that clients must meet as well as within their budget constraints.
Incident Response Planning
Cyber criminals are getting smarter by the second in outwitting even the most rigorous security measures. That’s why having a clear incident response plan is paramount. We help formulate these plans to mitigate damage and resume operations quickly.
Advanced Threat Intelligence
We have access to advanced threat intelligence and tools the average SMB does not. That helps us predict and prevent emerging cyber threats more effectively.
Is Your Small Business Cybersecure As It Could Be?
If you’re like most small to mid-sized businesses, the answer is probably “no.” It’s not that you are unaware or perhaps even feel you have adequately addressed it, but you just don’t know all the threats that are out there and how fast they’re multiplying. Not many businesses do.
That’s where Frontline’s managed IT services can help. We fully understand the threats you face, and are here to help ensure that threats don’t become full-fledged assaults on your IT infrastructure. I
Give us a call at (888) 694-7402 for a free cyber security for small business risk assessment. If we identify areas that could use improvement, which we often do, we can have a top-notch team working on them right away. To learn more, visit www.frontlineinc.com.