If you’re looking to protect your business from cyber threats, it can be hard to decide who you should trust with your security. There are plenty of cybersecurity companies out there offering solutions, so it’s important to understand the dangers that exist and what types of services are available in order to choose the right one. This list will help you get the protection that your business needs to defend against cyber threats.

The Simple Reason Why Small Businesses Are Prime Targets for Cybercriminals

Forbes recently reported that small businesses are the targets of cyber attacks 350% more than large companies. Considering that larger companies have far more employees and customers to steal information from, you have to ask yourself why bad actors would prefer to target small businesses instead. The answer is actually very simple. Small businesses are often targeted by cybercriminals because they typically have fewer resources to devote to cybersecurity. Small businesses often cannot afford premium cybersecurity services because there is less margin in their operating budgets. This lesser investment not only contributes to fewer quality cybersecurity products and software, but creates uneducated workforce who participate in unsafe cybersecurity practices. This deadly combination makes them an easy target for cyber attacks, which can be costly and devastating. Ultimately, the best way to protect your small business from cyber threats is to partner with a reputable cybersecurity company who is both effective and affordable. But with so many companies out there, how do you know which one to trust?

A Step-by-Step Guide to Choosing the Right Security Company

First, we will need to assess what kind of protection your small business needs. Since there are a number of ways for bad actors to breach your sensitive information, there are dozens of factors that go into complete cybersecurity protection. Some of the most effective and necessary elements are:

DNS Filtering

DNS filtering scans and blocks employee access to sites that may pose a threat to your business’ security. It blocks malicious sites that host phishing forms or distribute malware

Dark Web Monitoring

Bad actors sell leaked information over the dark web. A good cybersecurity company will consistently scan the dark web to see if any of your business’ information has been leaked and monitor employee behavior which could be the vector into your business.

Attack Detection

Incident detection and response are the most challenging stages of the cyber security incident cycle. It could be months or even years before an organzation even recognizes an attack has occurred. The best protection companies should be able to detect attacks as close to real time as possible.

Consistent Monitoring

Cybersecurity threats don’t sleep. Neither should your network monitoring. However, most small businesses cannot afford a team to monitor 24 hours a day or pricey, advanced artificial intelligence software to do it for them. The best cybersecurity companies for small businesses will provide access to these advanced technologies at an affordable rate so your information is never at risk.

Cyber Awareness Training

Your network is only as secure as the employees who use it. All the technology in the world won’t help you if your employees engage in unsafe cyber practices. When choosing a company to help protect your business from online threats, make sure they help to train your staff to be the first line of defense. This is only the beginning when it comes to keeping your sensitive information safe. There are several other factors to consider including data encryption, email protection, safe file sharing, and more. When looking for the right cybersecurity company, don’t just go for the first one you find on Google. A quality provider should match their services with your unique needs. Some companies offer risk assessments to find dangerous chinks in your company’s cyber armor, and will work to make sure you only utilize what you truly need.

Look for a Cybersecurity Provider that Helps You Understand

Many companies just want to sell and will immediately launch into all the reasons you need every las product and service they provide. Ultimately, this is not good for your business, but how would you know since they are likely using terms you have never heard of, let alone know how they apply to your company? After assessing what cybersecurity services you may need, the next best thing to do is to start asking questions. Ask the company’s sales rep to explain what each of their offers does specifically for your business and then–and here’s the real kicker–ask them to explain it to you like you were a 10 year old. If a cybersecurity company cannot explain what they do in a way that makes sense to you, how will you ever know if they are just taking your money for services you don’t need? The best cybersecurity companies can explain their services to anyone and help you to understand why you do or do need need that service.

Look at the Company’s Portfolio

It seems too simple to state here, but one of the safest ways to be sure you’re picking the right cybersecurity company is by looking at their portfolio. How many businesses are they currently serving? If you’re a small business, do they have a large number of businesses comparable to your size that they work with? What do organizations they already work with have to say about them? Anyone can eventually rank high on a google search, but the best providers have proven track records with their clients. It may be cliche, but word of mouth still remains king when it comes to choosing who to work with and who to pass on.

Your Options: Go it Alone, Hire an Expensive Cybersecurity Company, or Neither

As you can see, there is a lot more that goes into protecting your business’ sensitive information online than antivirus and simple spam blockers. With cyber attacks rising 600% through the pandemic, small businesses cannot afford to do nothing. You could try to go it alone. You could purchase various protective softwares and try to train your employees on healthy practices, but you’re only taking valuable time and money away from growing your business. You could hire an expensive provider to sell you all sorts of unnecessary products and services at exorbitant prices, but that too ultimately hurts the future of your company. Small businesses need protection services from cybersecurity companies that understand your unique needs and budget. A company that can assess your current cybersecurity structures, advise for growth, and implement streamlined technologies that continuously protect your business for an affordable price.

Conclusion

In the end, the decision of which cybersecurity company to trust is up to you. However, we believe that Simpatico is the best option because they offer comprehensive protection, have a proven track record with small businesses, and are always innovating to stay ahead of the curve.