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A recent report by Accenture says only 14% of small businesses (accounting for 43% of total cyberattacks) could defend themselves against advanced cyber threats.

This spells disaster for emerging startups and small businesses, as the losses caused by cyberattacks will spike to nearly US$ 10 trillion by 2025. Not investing in cybersecurity can cause lasting damage to small businesses. 

Today, we detail 5 technologies that help prevent cyberattacks for SMBs (and what other actions can be taken ASAP to strengthen your organization's security posture.)

What is Cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting information and systems from threats by using firewalls, intrusion detection, and prevention systems. Cybersecurity is a never-ending battle because cyber attackers evolve new ways to penetrate systems and steal data.

There are different types of cybersecurity threats, including:

1. Malware: Malware is a virus created to gain unauthorized entry into a system or disrupt services. They damage files, delete data, and spy on users.

2. Spams: Spams are unsolicited e-mails containing misleading or false information. They may attempt to install software on your computer, collect personal information, or steal money from your bank account.

3. Identity theft: Identity theft happens when someone steals your personal information, such as your name, credit card number, and social security number. They can use the stolen information to open new accounts or steal money from your bank accounts.

4. Cyberattacks: A cyberattack involves hackers trying to access sensitive information by breaking into systems by exploiting a vulnerability in the defence mechanism. They may also attack websites and online services for financial gain or to disrupt operations.

5 Technologies That Help Prevent Cyberattacks For SMBs

While businesses of all sizes should prioritize cybersecurity, these five technologies can be especially useful to small and medium-sized businesses.

1. Endpoint Security

Endpoint security entails monitoring and safeguarding endpoints against cyberattacks. Security teams should install the monitoring and security software directly on small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) endpoints. It allows companies to monitor and protect devices that are not always physically connected to their enterprise networks. As a result, it protects against both known and unknown threats.

2. Vulnerability Assessment and Patch Management

On vulnerability assessment platforms, vulnerabilities are evaluated and scored based on the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS), while patch management platforms assist in automatically repairing them. Patching a vulnerability helps in preventing hackers from exploiting it. Detecting vulnerabilities and categorizing them by severity to routinely fix them before malicious actors can use them are two critical preventive measures.

3. DNS Filtering

A DNS (domain name system) filter is a must-have cybersecurity solution for security teams. But first, a quick primer on DNS. DNS filters prevent users from accessing hazardous websites, such as those spreading viruses. There are three major ways in which DNS filters prevent cyber threats:

• A DNS filter can prevent anyone in your company from visiting a malicious website.

• Using a DNS filter to monitor DNS traffic continuously is a great way to detect the warning signs of a DNS DDoS attack.

• An effective DNS filter will employ DNS encryption in the event of a Man-in-the-Middle attack. This way, fraudsters cannot feed you fake DNS records.

4. Cloud Scanning

A cloud security scanner helps enterprises detect and fix security flaws in their cloud deployments. Seek a cloud scanning service that employs various anti-malware engines, combining signatures, heuristics, and machine learning to improve detection rates to avoid cyberattacks.

5. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

It is a security procedure that entails submitting two distinct authentication factors to verify a user's identity. To prove their identity, users must present two forms of identification, including login credentials and OTPs. The process is quick and straightforward.

How does a qualified pentest provider offer stronger cybersecurity?

The purpose of penetration testing is to evaluate an application's or network's security by exploiting any security holes. Pentesting is essential to examine security and evaluate the effectiveness of defensive systems and security initiatives. Once the vulnerabilities have been detected and exploited, the client is given a complete penetration testing report that includes information on the scope of the test, vulnerabilities discovered, their severity, and patching recommendations.

The goal of pentesting is to uncover complex security issues, such as errors in business logic and payment gateways, and discover basic vulnerabilities using automated methods. By doing so, you gain a better understanding of your organization's security posture and address concerns.

Conclusion 

Cyber threats are constantly evolving. New vulnerabilities are getting discovered and exploited regularly. Packetlabs offers industry-leading pentesting services that reveal vulnerabilities before hackers can exploit them. Our team can help you identify vulnerabilities that can lead to data breaches, security breaches, and denial of service attacks.