Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) often assume that they are not likely targets of cyber attacks since they do not have the same level of resources as large corporations. However, the reality is quite different. Cyber attackers often see SMEs as easy targets as they may have weak security measures in place. Six in 10 Irish SMEs have experienced cyber-attacks this year, including data breaches (20%) and phishing scams (17%) (Samsung). Therefore, it is essential for SMEs to implement appropriate cybersecurity measures to safeguard their business. In this blog post, we will discuss the ENISA 12 Steps to Securing Your Business, which can serve as a guide for SMEs to enhance their cybersecurity posture.
Develop Good Cybersecurity Culture
The first step in securing your business is to establish a good cybersecurity culture within your organisation. This culture should prioritize security and create awareness among employees regarding the importance of cybersecurity. SMEs should establish security policies and procedures and communicate them to all employees. It is also essential to promote the concept of security as a shared responsibility, where everyone within the organisation plays a role in maintaining a secure environment.
Provide Appropriate Training
Providing cybersecurity training to all employees is another critical step in securing your business. Employees should be educated on how to recognize and respond to potential cyber threats, such as phishing attacks or malware. This training should also include guidelines on the use of company devices and networks, password management, and how to report incidents. It is important to ensure that all employees receive regular training and that the training is updated to reflect the latest threats and trends.
Effective 3rd Party Management
Third-party vendors can be a significant source of cyber threats. SMEs should establish appropriate measures to ensure that all third-party vendors are vetted and have appropriate security measures in place. This includes conducting due diligence before engaging with a vendor and regularly monitoring their security posture. It is also essential to have contractual agreements in place that outline the vendor’s security obligations and provide the SME with the right to audit their security measures.
Develop an Incident Report Plan
Despite having security measures in place, incidents may still occur. Therefore, it is essential to develop an incident response plan that outlines the steps to take in case of a security breach. This plan should include procedures for reporting incidents, assessing the impact of the incident, and mitigating the damage. It should also outline the roles and responsibilities of the incident response team, including who should be contacted, both within and outside the organisation.
Secure Access to All Systems
SMEs should ensure that all access to their systems is secured. This includes implementing appropriate authentication measures, such as two-factor authentication and password policies, to ensure that only authorized personnel can access company resources. It is also important to have appropriate access controls in place to restrict access to sensitive data and limit the potential impact of a security breach.
Secure Devices
Devices such as laptops, smartphones, and tablets are often used by employees for work-related tasks. Therefore, it is essential to secure these devices to prevent unauthorized access to company resources. This includes implementing device encryption, enforcing strong passwords, and regularly updating software and security patches. SMEs should also establish policies regarding the use of personal devices for work-related tasks and ensure that all devices are secured before accessing company resources.
Secure Your Network
Securing your network is another critical step in enhancing your cybersecurity posture. This includes implementing appropriate network security measures such as firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems, and virtual private networks (VPNs). SMEs should also ensure that their network infrastructure is regularly audited to identify vulnerabilities and address them promptly.
Improve Physical Security
Physical security measures are also important in securing your business. SMEs should establish appropriate measures to prevent unauthorized access to their premises, such as access control systems and CCTV cameras. They should also ensure that all company-owned devices are secured when not in use and stored in a secure location. Additionally, employees should be trained to report any suspicious activity, such as tailgating or unauthorized persons within the premises.
Secure Backups
Regular backups are essential for protecting data and ensuring business continuity in case of a security breach or data loss. SMEs should ensure that all data is backed up regularly and that backups are stored securely, both on and off-site. It is important to test the backup and recovery process regularly to ensure that it works as intended.
Engage with the Cloud
Cloud services offer significant benefits to SMEs, such as cost savings and scalability. However, it is essential to ensure that appropriate security measures are in place when engaging with the cloud. SMEs should assess the security posture of cloud providers and ensure that they comply with relevant regulations and standards. It is also important to implement appropriate measures to protect data in transit and at rest, such as encryption and access controls.
Secure Online Sites
Online sites, such as e-commerce platforms or customer portals, are often targeted by cyber attackers. SMEs should ensure that their online sites are secured by implementing appropriate security measures, such as SSL/TLS encryption and web application firewalls. They should also ensure that all software and plugins used on the site are up to date and regularly audited for vulnerabilities.
Seek and Share Information
Finally, SMEs should actively seek and share information regarding potential cyber threats and vulnerabilities. This includes subscribing to relevant threat intelligence feeds and sharing information with other organisations in their industry. It is also essential to report incidents to the appropriate authorities, such as law enforcement or regulatory bodies, to help prevent future incidents.
In conclusion, implementing appropriate cybersecurity measures is essential for SMEs to safeguard their business and protect their customers’ data. The ENISA 12 Steps to Securing Your Business provides a useful guide for SMEs to enhance their cybersecurity posture. By establishing a good cybersecurity culture, providing appropriate training, implementing effective third-party management, developing an incident response plan, securing access to all systems, securing devices, securing your network, improving physical security, securing backups, engaging with the cloud, securing online sites, and seeking and sharing information, SMEs can significantly reduce their risk of cyber-attacks and minimize the potential impact of security incidents.