Only 18% of SMBs are confident their organization is prepared for a cyber incident, according to a January global survey of SMBs by Cyber Readiness Institute (CRI). There are several steps SMBs can implement to strengthen their cybersecurity practices:

Utilize strong passwords or "passphrases" to protect points of entry. Strengthen passwords by using a "passphrase" (a combination of words that are unique) and by using two-factor authentication (a login that requires a code that is texted to a mobile device).
Frequently update software. Hackers routinely exploit gaps in software already on computers. Software updates for programs like Microsoft Word or Excel, as well as operating systems, often include security patches.
Train employees to spot phishing attempts. Employees are the first line of defense against a cyberattack. Phishing emails attempt to trick users – sometimes into clicking a link that releases computer viruses, sometimes into providing bank account info or other sensitive data. Often, phishing emails appear to be from legitimate companies.
Create a cyber response plan. Having a cyber incident response plan in place is vital. The plan should cover preparation, response and recovery from the incident. When a cybersecurity breach occurs, businesses should take the appropriate actions and honor any contractual or legal obligations with respect to the breach. Following an incident, businesses should promptly fix the problems that caused the breach to prevent a recurrence.

Cybersecurity concerns are not going away

SMBs are critical to our economy. While concern among these businesses continues to rise, implementing cybersecurity best practices will help prevent cyber-attacks. CRI recently released its list of recommendations to help make U.S. SMBs cyber-ready.

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Employees are the first line of cyber defense

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