Data Breaches in the US Reach Record High: Are You Protected?

According to a new report released by the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) and CyberScout, data breaches and cyber attacks in the US are on track to rise almost 30% from last year. From high profile incidents we see in the media (like the one HBO is working through right now) to small businesses across the country, the breaches are relentless. No business is immune from attack, though there are ways to help your business be less vulnerable.

These types of attacks can be devastating for any business. From loss of customers to loss of reputation, the sheer costs of getting things up and running again can be enough to put the business under. When it comes to data security, an ounce of prevention is worth way more than a pound of cure. Not to mention the emotional toll it can take on stakeholders. There’s a lot to gain (including peace of mind) when you’re doing all you can.

Putting a Cybersecurity Plan in Place

The ITRC report included that 63% of all breaches are due to hacking, including phishing, ransomware, malware, and skimming. The risk of all of these types of attacks can be significantly lower if a business is adequately secured against them. Does your business have a plan for reducing your risk and protecting your data? Is it a comprehensive plan prepared by a security professional who knows the best practices for securing your intellectual property?

If not, now’s the time to get a plan in place. You have a couple of options, including doing it yourself. However, unless you are an IT professional with years of experience, this isn’t the plan we’d recommend. Not only will you not be as secure as possible, the time you spend researching, learning, and implementing a plan isn’t the best (and most profitable way) for you to spend that time! Additionally, even if you are a professional and know how to put that plan together, it can be beneficial to get an outside perspective on security. This will ensure you have done everything possible to keep everything secure.

There’s no way to guarantee you won’t be attacked. Unfortunately, attackers get more sophisticated and creative every year. But that doesn’t mean you can’t keep yourself and your business as safe as possible. Need help getting started? Give us a call. We’d be happy to help you walk through what you have now and what you need to do going forward.