SMBs must be proactive with website security ? CopperEgg

The internet is a powerful enabler for small businesses, as it allows organizations to leverage next-generation tools to enhance efficiency and collaboration. Unfortunately, many small companies are ill prepared in terms of ensuring strong website security tools are present to safeguard customer and enterprise confidential information.

The cybercriminal landscape is evolving and becoming more malicious, as attackers vary in their specialities. Some individuals attack a business' website in an attempt to steal mission-critical documents they can sell, while others infect a company's website so they can take control over a visitor's personal computer, according to a report by USA Today.

Small and medium-sized businesses are even more susceptible to attacks than larger firms, as SMBs may not necessarily have the resources to bounce back after falling victim to a cybercriminal, Gartner research director Lawrence Pingree told USA Today. For this reason, many SMBs are investing in advanced online security tools in an effort to build stronger defenses.

"Security spending tends to be resilient in bad economic times, as bad economics typically lead to higher rates of fraud and criminal activities," Pingree said, according to USA Today. "Most companies continue to enhance security measures against adaptive and more heavily targeted attacks."

Cyberthreats abundance grows

Speaking with Joel Smith, CTO at security service provider AppRiver, USA Today noted that roughly 82 percent of all email traffic in the first half of 2012 was infected with malware.

"Spam volume is actually slightly less than it has been over the past decade but it's still very high," Smith said, according to USA Today. "And the stuff that's out there is much more malicious."

In addition to email, cybercriminals are taking aim at company websites in an effort to infect a wider range of the web unnoticed. Many malicious parties on the web are putting malware anywhere they can, making it extremely important for SMBs to use website monitoring tools to observe the virtual landscape and ensure no unauthorized activity is taking place that could negatively impact an organization's reputation and customers, USA Today reported.

Having an extra layer of defense through monitoring may bring some relief to decision-makers.

"Knowing that you've got that piece out front gives you a bit of breathing space," said Paul Judge, chief research officer at security provider Barracuda Networks, according to the news source. "It gives you time to focus on making sure your services are available to the public during peak hours."

As the mobile landscape continues to evolve, however, new threats are emerging. By using smartphones, tablets and other devices, individuals have the ability to visit an organization's website from virtually anywhere. While this can boost efficiency for a company, it also introduces new vulnerabilities that could be exposed by advanced cybercriminals, USA Today noted.

This concern was echoed in another Gartner report, saying that bring your own device is one of the biggest security concerns faced by the private sector in the last several years.

By leveraging advanced security tools, SMB IT departments can ensure website performance levels are not severely impacted by the changing threat landscape. Website monitoring solutions, in particular, help companies gain more visibility into the virtual environment, allowing decision-makers to observe server health and other vital aspects of today's businesses without disrupting day-to-day operations.

As the web landscape becomes more malign, it will be important for small companies to be proactive in their efforts to safeguard sensitive information, as failing to do so could permanently damage a firm's reputation.

Source: http://copperegg.com/smbs-must-be-proactive-with-website-security/

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