Why Small Businesses Are the #1 Target for Cyberattacks

Here's a statistic that should keep every small business owner up at night: 43% of all cyberattacks target small businesses, and 60% of those attacked close their doors within six months. Yet many small business owners still believe they're too small to be a target. That misconception is exactly what makes them vulnerable.

Why Hackers Love Small Businesses

Cybercriminals target small businesses for several strategic reasons:

• Weaker security — smaller budgets mean fewer protections
• Valuable data — customer records, payment info, employee SSNs
• Gateway attacks — small businesses often connect to larger companies' networks
• Less likely to detect — attacks can go unnoticed for months
• More likely to pay ransoms — without backups, businesses feel they have no choice

Essential Security Steps

You don't need an enterprise budget to protect your business. Start with these fundamentals:

1. Enable multi-factor authentication on all business accounts
1. Keep all software and systems updated with the latest patches
1. Implement automated, encrypted backups using the 3-2-1 rule
1. Train employees to recognize phishing and social engineering
1. Use a business-grade firewall and endpoint protection
1. Develop an incident response plan before you need one

Bellator Cyber Guard offers affordable managed security services designed specifically for small businesses. Our team monitors your systems 24/7, responds to threats in real time, and provides the expertise of a full security department at a fraction of the cost.