Data breach dangers are now the reality for businesses! Over the last 30 days, approximately 20 large data breaches have affected people across the United States. Guesstimates put the number affected number of people at anywhere from 100 million to upwards of 1 BILLION. Even at a conservative estimate of 250 million, that means one in eight people in the world could have been affected by one or more of these data breaches. While Marriott has promised to pay to replace the 327 million passports that were potentially compromised, the danger to your business from all of these breaches is real.What Do These Breaches Have To Do With My Business
Even if you or your employees don't use their work email addresses for online shopping or coffee clubs, the likelihood that they've used the same password for accounts across the internet is real. Once cybercriminals get access to password data, it's a matter of time before they can gain access to your network and data in any number of ways. And once your credentials are compromised, your customer data could end up for sale on the dark web. When a hacker gains access to stolen data, there are many methods that can be used to gain access to your business.
How to Protect Yourself From the Dark Web
Most businesses take a reactive approach to these breaches and Dark Web threats. They believe the probability of falling victim to it is low, and if it does happen, they'll take care of it when it happens. Be warned, this is a very expensive approach to security. Most data breaches aren't detected immediately, and by the time they are, it could be too late. According to the National Cyber Security Alliance, almost 50% of small businesses have experienced a cyber attack, and as much as 60% of those hacked small and mid-sized businesses go out of business within six months of the attack.
All businesses need to be more aware of the threats they are facing, and protect themselves accordingly. Here are a few ways you can protect your business:
- Believe Your Business Will Be Breached: Let's face it, it's not a matter of if, but when a business will be attached. In the past, hackers would target large businesses, but today small and mid-sized companies are considered equally as valuable. If you're prepared for a data breach, you can create an effective strategy to make your data harder to interpret.
- Monitor the Dark Web Regularly: The sooner you find out that your company or employee data is on the Dark Web, the faster you can take action. Fraser offers Dark Web Monitoring services through our Managed IT group, and they can inform you immediately when company-specific data arises.
- Have a Plan: If your data is on the Dark Web, have a plan in place to minimize the consequences. Know specific risks that are particular to your business and create a step-by-step action plan. This will have you prepared for when a breach occurs.
For more information on Fraser's Dark Web Monitoring Program and how it pertains to helping your business security, contact us today!