This is an AI-assisted blog, not AI-written.

False Perception: My Company Is Too Small to Be a Target for Cybersecurity Attacks

This is a common misconception that I’ve heard from numerous small business owners. They believe, "My company is too small for someone to go after," or, "My data isn’t valuable enough to hackers." While I understand why it’s easy to see things this way, it is simply incorrect. The reality is that attackers don’t necessarily care about the inherent value of your data; they only know that it is valuable to you.

Your company does not have to be large for your data to have a significant impact. One of the most common attack techniques used by cybercriminals is ransomware. Ransomware is a type of malware that systematically locks companies and users out of their files and systems via encryption. The attackers then demand payment, typically in cryptocurrency, to unlock these systems.

According to Tech.co, "82% of ransomware attacks target small businesses." [1] This statistic highlights how significantly small businesses are targeted. Not only are they some of the easiest victims, but they are also the most likely to pay the ransom because they often lack cybersecurity experience or professional support. According to a ransomware report from Veeam, "80% of ransomware victims paid the ransom, yet 25% still couldn’t recover their data." [2]

With an average ransom payment of $812,360 [3], not including remediation costs, the likelihood of a company surviving such a breach is extremely low. This doesn’t even factor in industry-specific fines or reporting requirements.

Bellintel’s Help

Ransomware can seem inevitable based on the statistics above. However, we can help devise a solution to both reduce the chances of ransomware attacks and prepare for the worst-case scenario. We will assist in designing the best technical defenses for your company.

Technical Defenses

• Email Filtering

• Network Segmentation and Architecture

• DNS Filtering

• Patch Management

Programmatic Changes

• Properly Executed Backup and Restoration Procedures

• Phishing Training

• Tabletop Exercises (TTX)

Assistance

• Bellintel’s Service Retainer

References

[1] https://tech.co/antivirus-software/ransomware-statistics
[2] https://www.veeam.com/blog/small-business-ransomware.html
[3] https://assets.sophos.com/X24WTUEQ/at/4zpw59pnkpxxnhfhgj9bxgj9/sophos-state-of-ransomware-2022-wp.pdf