THE COLD REALITY OF CYBERSECURITY RISKS FOR SMALL- TO MEDIUM-SIZED BUSINESSES

Featured article by Brian Berger, Executive Vice President of Commercial Cybersecurity for Cytellix

In today’s worldwide network of complex interconnectedness and unprecedented vulnerability, how concerned should small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) be about cyber threats? According to news outlets across the country, the answer is: “VERY!” A poorly protected network infrastructure can lead to unwanted exposure, profit loss and even total collapse. SMBs represent the largest demographic targeted by hackers, putting them in a position to take action, or potentially face grave consequences. With modern technologies in constant flux, keeping up with changes, upgrades and compliance rules can be an almost impossible task. As resources in IT and cyber remain limited in most organizations, only the most proactive of SMBs – keen on expert, outside assistance – will be able to effectively keep their company, employees, assets and customers secure.

Time for a Change

While top-notch, costly cybersecurity has long been available for leading corporations, governments and the military, it seems SMBs have been struggling to keep up, often just missing out on the latest trends in business protection. Symantec lists a few alarming statistics: (1) 60 percent of all targeted entities are small- and medium-sized organizations, and (2)75 percent of spear-phishing attacks (as recent as August 2016) target businesses of less than 250 employees. The results of a security breach can be devastating, and until the most cutting-edge tactics start funneling directly into the SMB world, many businesses will continue to face the high probability of becoming another cyber casualty: 60 percent of SMB cybercrime victims go out of business within six months of an attack, according to the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA).

So, exactly what security tactics are trending in the corporate and governmental sectors that could also benefit SMBs? In a nutshell, solutions in the realm of top-level cybersecurity ensure efficient and swift detection of known and “unknown” threats in any enterprise environment, while providing continuous network visibility, system compatibility, and remediation. With a goal of compliance, lead experts in system protection are focused on analyzing the traffic and behavior of millions of IP addresses for governments and organizations of every size in a wide range of data-rich industries – utilizing best-in-class, real-time network scanning technology that has been leveraging the most well-guarded of infrastructures worldwide. Ultimately, complete awareness of the behavior of every computer, online device and router is required for true security and protection from potential threats.

First Benefits Emerge

Only very recently has the SMB community begun to enjoy access to the most vital cybersecurity information necessary for total safety, and the results are promising. For example, many manufacturing firms this past year faced an extra level of protection with the concrete development of the compliance cyber program from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) – which affects both the governmental and non-governmental supply chain. As a result, a vast collection of SMBs in manufacturing operations became better poised to garner government contracts and remain cyber compliant for business deals ahead. Also, many institutes and clinics in the healthcare industry got an upgrade to the managing and safeguarding of vital IoT devices and connections (heart monitors, pumps, laptops, etc.). Small- and medium-sized legal firms across the nation are beginning to hail outside cybersecurity consultants for protecting their clients’ confidential information – which also helps to set the stage for seamlessacquisitions and mergers.

Work in Progress

Running a modern business requires much more consideration than ever before. With the constant threat of breach looming 24 hours a day, seven days a week, cybersecurity is an absolute must to stay protected and fluid; it is part of the reason Cytellix has designed a cyber security managed service for the SMB marketplace to help these owners outsource risks to the experts. Their comprehensive service provides network intelligence, behavioral analytics, remediation and security to awareness of vulnerabilities. Taking on a proactive versus reactive approach to cyber. With so much at stake in the networked world of enterprise, it is time that owners and CEOs, who have a fiduciary responsibility, take a stronger interest in looking to the cyber security experts serving the top echelons of enterprise. After all, as the statistics show, it’s not a matter of if, but a matter of when a breach of cyber security will hit close to home.

ABOUT BRIAN BERGER: Brian Berger is the executive vice president of commercial cybersecurity for Cytellix, responsible for 24/7 system management and business operations, as well as marketing, development, sales and engineering support of the cyber team and its solutions. With more than 28 years of experience in device security, IT, data analytics and corporate leadership, Berger has led the successful development of strategic engagement agreements with multibillion-dollar cloud service providers, securing significant contracts in data encryption, authentication, network security, cloud, analytics and embedded hardware security.

Prior to his role at Cytellix, Berger was co-founder and CEO of Cerberus Co., an IoT and cloud security company renowned for developing owner-based information containers managed from the cloud. Berger holds seven patents in cryptographic technology. He has served as the chairman and board director for Trusted Computing Group and is the recipient of numerous sales performance awards.

ABOUT CYTELLIX: Cytellix is the cybersecurity managed service provider with a focus on small- and medium-sized businesses. We specialize in comprehensive cyber assessments, network intelligence, behavioral analytics, remediation and security services. Cytellix has the only solution in the industry that can detect known and unknown threats in any environment, while providing complete network visibility. A division of Information Management Resources, Inc. (IMRI), the Cytellix team of experts manage millions of IP addresses for organizations of every size in a wide range of data-rich industries—including municipalities, manufacturing, finance, banking, law, education, healthcare and biotech—with best-in-class managed services.