Cybersecurity is a major problem for small to medium-sized enterprises. The threat of cyber security has increased in 2021 due to the outbreak of the Pandemic and the resulting ‘Work from Home reality has impacted the entire world over. Businesses must be prepared with a well-defined plan for cybersecurity as well as an effective plan for responding to incidents to remain safe from cyberattacks in 2021.

To clarify the importance of the situation clearer. Take a look at these listed on cyber security and threats. Cybersecurity’s cost in 2015 stood at an estimated $3 trillion. In 2025, by the time it is over experts forecast that cybersecurity expenditures could exceed $10.5 trillion per year.

Small and medium-sized businesses are prime targets for cyber-attacks. They account for nearly 43% of global cyber-attacks. But, just 14% of those companies have adequate security measures in place to safeguard them from different types of malware and cyber-attacks like Distributed Denial of Service or DDOS attacks spear phishing, spear phishing, and other common security threats.

So, it is no surprise that as high as 66% of companies have been impacted by cyber-attacks in the past year.

Homeworking raises cybersecurity concerns

2020 saw the world wrestle with this Coronavirus pandemic. Cybercriminals also took this opportunity to master their skills. Since the majority of people in the world began working in their homes, it became clear that not all organizations are equipped to provide security services in a remote work environment.

The FBI Cyber Division received a minimum of 4k cyber-attacks per day in the months following the outbreak. This represents an astonishing 400% rise in cybercrime during the time of the pandemic. Ransomware-related attacks increased by an astounding 800 per cent. The sophistication level among cybercriminals was growing.

The top recent cybersecurity trends, and threats in 2021

There are various cyberattacks or cyber-related threats your company will be facing in 2021. Beyond the fact that the majority of employees work at home, additional cyber threats to your company include:

• Cloud-based threats, increase as a result of the digital revolution. Cloud computing is not without security risks of its own and cloud security is important for small and medium-sized businesses.
• Insider threats are made by the company’s staff and the stakeholders. These risks could be the result of malicious intent or simply inattention. It is essential to invest in employees’ cyber security education, therefore, increasingly important in 2021. In addition, remote security of endpoints for individuals is essential. If they do not have the right remote working safety measures, they’re
• Phishing attacks designed to gain access to sensitive data or create malware in your business networks will remain an enormous threat through 2021.
• Malware that allows hackers to remove, steal or even encrypt information, is one of the greatest cyber threats.
• Attacks using ransomware in which the attacker holds your data until the ransom will cost your small business quite a bit.
• IoT devices still in the process of development could create security risks for your company.

The list below isn’t comprehensive. It is important to equip yourself with the necessary information to manage the cyber security risks of 2021.

Business Protection by allowing remote workers to work?

Any business that cares about its reputation and the bottom line must invest in its cyber security in the coming year. Although security has been always a significant issue, smaller and medium-sized enterprises have not been as vulnerable as they are today in the current epidemic.

Here are some proven methods to protect your business especially when the majority of your employees work at home

1. Train employees and create an effective plan for responding to incidents

Inform employees about the basics of security and ensure they are current on all threats your company is vulnerable to. In-house threats are a significant source of security vulnerabilities today. Train them on how to spot threats and what they should do in the event of an email or file that is suspicious. Making sure everyone is aware is crucial.

It is also essential to have a well-constructed Cyber incident-response plan to protect yourself from cyber-attacks. It must be a document that outlines the essential phases that comprise an incident reaction strategy. It should also clearly outline the actions that all employees need to take in the event in the event of an attack.

2. Make sure you invest in security for your business

It is essential to have a good security program to ensure the proper functioning of your business. Make sure you invest in antivirus and anti-spam software and antispyware and ensure that you are up-to-date with the latest updates. Take out any extensions or software you don’t use.

Back up data and make sure you have strong passwords for your system. Instead of using the standard passwords, think about passing phrases. This requires the use of phrases or words, which makes it much more difficult to crack. Multi-factor authentication is crucial to increase security.

In addition to software, it is also important to assess the cyber health and the resilience of your business. You could either opt for the one-day health exam which will provide you with an overview of your cyber security response capabilities. If not, you might think about a comprehensive assessment of your breach readiness conducted by an expert. This assessment will provide a comprehensive overview of the ability of your organization to handle the inevitable cyber-attacks.

3. Put in place data encryption

It is essential to secure every data file you keep in the internet space. It makes it more difficult for hackers to take, steal or alter it. Do not use wireless networks that are accessible to the public.

It’s a good idea to use an encrypted proxy server to secure your data. There are other advantages. Residential Proxy For instance it provides anonymity online. The hackers are unable to view or monitor your online activities, which makes your data safer.

4. Be aware of the activities of your staff online

Track the activities of your employees while on the internet. Restrict access to websites that aren’t essential. Make sure they keep their devices in a safe place while not using them. Avoid accessing public Wi-Fi on workplace devices. Check any hard drives and USB sticks before using them.

5. Stay on top of audits

It is also essential to be aware of the security and administrative procedures for your company. Determine if cybersecurity audits are required for the field your company is in. For instance, example, in the Middle East, banks and financial institutions are subject to rules on BCP Planning and Testing. Within North America, power companies could be required to conform to NERC CIP requirements. These requirements have to be assessed and measures need to be taken to ensure compliance with these standards.

Perform regular audits on systems that hold a significant amount of financial and client information. They are a popular target for hackers. You should also think about testing the effectiveness of your cybersecurity incident response strategies by using exercise tabletop exercises in response to incidents when your business is especially vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Tabletop training sessions can assist you in determining whether the cyber-incident response strategies are appropriate and effective enough to protect your business from the possibility of a breach.

Conclusion

The technology of remote work has indeed made companies more susceptible to cyber-attacks by 2021. Additionally, the usual cyber threats like phishing malicious software, DDOS threats, and SQL injections will never cease to be a problem. With a little planning and investing in your cyber security infrastructure and resilience, you’ll be able to safeguard your company from serious cyberattacks and their resulting damages in 2021.