Cybersecurity for Small Businesses: Increasing Threats and Smart Defenses
Small businesses are increasingly targeted by cybercriminals due to limited IT resources, weaker defenses, and a false sense of security. This article outlines the top cybersecurity threats facing small businesses—including ransomware, phishing, weak passwords, shadow IT, outdated software, and third-party risks—and provides actionable strategies to combat them. From enforcing strong password policies and enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA) to employee training, software updates, and secure backups, the guide offers practical steps to improve cyber resilience. By implementing a layered defense approach and staying proactive, small businesses can significantly reduce their risk of cyberattacks and safeguard critical operations, data, and customer trust.