SMBs Require Preparing for Combating Cyber-Attacks

Symantec, which recently conducted a survey, stated that SMBs didn't think that cyber-attacks could target them; therefore, they needn't install safeguards for keeping their information safe. Infosecurity-magazine.com reported this dated November 17, 2011.

With the survey's sponsorship by Symantec and handling by Applied Research, the security company wished for perceiving in what form SMBs globally as well as those particularly related to aviation, medical, financial, chemical, insurance, manufacturing, energy and IT considered their online security in addition to what measures were being adopted at their end for countering specific cyber-attacks targeting them.

And though it was evident that the businesses recognized the risks confronting them, they often viewed themselves as somewhat immune to real cyber-attacks that they considered one hazard chiefly for large business-houses, and so remained unprepared for tackling them incase they targeted them.

Remarking about these fascinating discoveries, Director of Security Response Kevin Haley at Symantec stated that just 39% of the businesses strikingly installed anti-virus on their computers. Also, malware like banker Trojans utilized within online-crimes for taking over PCs and then executing illegal funds-transfers were targeting the SMBs. However, those businesses, after reading about the Stuxnet virus that it attacked countries and that the Anonymous hacktivist gang attacked big organizations, thought that such attacks wouldn't target which made them complacent.

Further, as per the survey's findings, 54% of SMBs polled reported that there could be productivity loss due to malware, 36% reported knowing about hackers, who could acquire admission into proprietary info, 46% reported about targeted assaults with which revenue loss could occur, and 20% reported that customer-base could diminish due to the same reason.

Elsewhere, Haley stated that SMBs required perceiving that they too could be subject to information security violations, while it was important they properly assessed the online-hazards followed with prioritizing them, and then acting to counter them. Infosecurity-magazine.com reported this.

Thus, Symantec advises that small-and-medium sized businesses should adopt certain safeguards towards protection from cyber-assaults, these being framing of guidelines for Internet security while simultaneously making employees aware of online threats and security; studying security dangers as well as shortcomings; and proactively formulating a security strategy.

Related article: SMBs Must Prioritize IT Security Improvement

» SPAMfighter News - 11/24/2011