WatchGuard Blog

5 Cybersecurity Resolutions for Small Businesses in the New Year

Small businesses are not immune to cyberattacks. Many cybercriminals target smaller-size organizations because they often operate on a lower cybersecurity budget and have less infrastructure to protect the company’s data, making them easier to attack. 

This targeting by cybercriminals is widespread, as demonstrated by an ITRC study which reveals that 73% of small businesses state they have encountered cybersecurity problems over last year. Given this threat landscape, small and midsize companies need to protect their systems efficiently by using a sophisticated cybersecurity service personalized to meet their needs. 

Best cybersecurity practices 

As cybersecurity remains an untapped priority for small and midsize businesses in 2024, here are some ways to strengthen your security posture:

  • Employ professional services: 

    Smaller-sized businesses do not always have a specialized cybersecurity team, so we recommend using the services of an MSP. An MSP will carry out effective monitoring and provide you with a personalized assessment to help you protect against potential cybersecurity breaches. 

  • Invest in training: 

    Many cyberattacks are caused by employee errors or malpractice when using cybersecurity systems. Developing training for your teams boosts employee cybersecurity awareness and equips them with the tools they need to help protect internal systems. 

  • Take out cyber insurance: 

    While protecting your business against threats is a must, having support that protects the company in the event of a cyberattack is also very useful. Cyber insurance can mitigate any damage caused by a cyberattack significantly, so it is worth thinking about taking out coverage in the new year. 

  • Keep your software up to date: 

    Although it sounds simple, ensuring you apply all updates to software can make a big difference when it comes to dealing with cyberattacks. Outdated software can create gaps in a company's cybersecurity that lead to a security incident so staying on top of the latest software updates and features is a useful yet simple way to strengthen your company's cybersecurity. 

  • Prioritize a unified cybersecurity system: 

    A comprehensive cybersecurity system is one of the most effective ways to shield against potential security breaches. Organizations interested in applying a system that protects each of the different security layers need a solution that covers any potential gaps. Our Unified Security Platform architecture enables small and midsize companies to set up a unified cybersecurity system in a simple yet sophisticated way. 

In a nutshell, it is possible for all organizations of all sizes to apply an effective and secure cybersecurity protocol. The start of the year is the ideal time for companies to strengthen their security posture, protect customer information, and prevent potential attacks. 

If you are interested in finding out more about the basics to protect your business against cyberattacks, check out the following posts on our blog: