Having robust IT security protocols in place is essential to keep your business operating smoothly. All business owners have concerns over their security – here are the top 10 IT security concerns voiced by small businesses.

1. Phishing attacks: Phishing is a type of social engineering attack where the attacker sends an email or text message that appears to be from a legitimate source, such as a bank or credit card company. The email or text message will often contain a link that, when clicked, will take the victim to a fake website that looks like the real website. Once the victim enters their personal information on the fake website, the attacker can steal it.
2. Malware attacks: Malware is software that is designed to harm a computer system. Malware can be installed on a computer through a variety of ways, such as clicking on a malicious link, opening an infected attachment, or downloading a file from an untrusted source. Once malware is installed on a computer, it can steal data, damage files, or disrupt operations.
3. Ransomware attacks: Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts a victim’s files and demands a ransom payment in order to decrypt them. Ransomware attacks are becoming increasingly common, and they can be very costly for businesses.
4. Weak passwords: Passwords are one of the most common security headaches. A weak password is simple to guess or crack, which can make it easy for attackers to gain access to a computer system. It can be a struggle ensuring all employees have robust passwords in place.
5. Insider threats: Insider threats are caused by malicious, negligent, or ill-informed employees. Insider threats can take many forms, such as stealing data, installing malware, or sabotaging systems.
6. Third-party risks: Businesses often rely on third-party vendors for IT services, such as cloud computing, email hosting, and data storage. These third-party vendors can also be a source of security risks. If a third-party vendor is hacked, the attacker could gain access to the business’s data.
7. Unpatched vulnerabilities: Software vulnerabilities are often exploited by attackers. Businesses need to keep their software up to date with the latest security patches in order to protect themselves from these vulnerabilities.
8. Lack of awareness: One of the biggest security challenges for businesses is a lack of awareness of the risks. Many small business owners and employees are not aware of the latest security threats or how to protect themselves from them.
9. Lack of resources: Small businesses often have limited resources to invest in IT security. This can make it difficult for them to prioritise, implement and maintain effective security measures.
10. Lack of planning: Too many businesses do not have a formal security plan in place; do you have a disaster recovery plan, a business continuity plan, and guidelines for all employees? Without adequate planning it is difficult to prioritise security and ensure that all of the necessary measures are in place.

Your security needs to be a priority to ensure business continuity. If any of the above concerns ring true, or you have any other worries or needs surrounding your businesses IT security please get in touch with Dolphin Computer Upgrades Ltd and we’ll help you find a solution.