08/02/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 08/02/2024 09:45
While summer is synonymous with vacations and relaxation, small and medium-sized business (SMB) owners cannot afford to let their cybersecurity take a break alongside their employees. Statistics show that 43% of cyberattacks target small businesses, underscoring the constant threat, regardless of the season. And recovering from a cyberattack isn't cheap - small businesses spend an average of $955,000 per attack to restore their normal operations.
If you're running a hybrid or fully remote SMB, there are some important things you should factor in if you plan to close your office or have employees traveling during the summer season.
We've written a lot about the benefits of a hybrid work environment. The ability to work remotely has been a boon for both employees and SMB owners. Remote work environments can significantly reduce the cost of living for employees and reduce energy costs for businesses.
But another huge benefit is the ability for employees to better manage their work-life balance, allowing them to take work on the road with them (if they choose to do so) and have more control over their workdays, which, studies have shown, leads to increased productivity.
However, for all their benefits, hybrid work environments do introduce additional hurdles to overcome - especially when it comes to cybersecurity.
Hackers are fully aware that SMBs may not have the same resources as larger enterprises, which can make them an easy target. This includes safety protocols employees should practice in-office, best practices to follow when remote, and equipping both offices and remote workers with the best technology that gives them full access to the network safely.
When employees are scheduled to be out of the office, they should follow some best practices to keep their equipment and company data safe while away.
Just because you might be away on vacation doesn't mean your system has to go unprotected.
For those employees that wish to work while on vacation, it's imperative that they can get safe access to your network when they need it and are able to collaborate with people in-office, as well.
Having a stable video service to hold meetings and remote brainstorms is a fantastic way to maintain productivity remotely, but these services also need the utmost security. Collaboration tools like Cisco's Webex provide end-to-end protection with zero-trust encryption to ensure meetings stay confidential. Webex makes sure only your employees have access to messages and recordings on your system.
Everyone needs a vacation from time to time, but unfortunately, your network security can't [take a break like your employees can]. Cisco provides a huge array of digital tools and devices that keep your SMB network stable and secure. Contact a Cisco expert today, and our team will help you find the right combination of tools and services that will keep your SMB safe no matter where life takes you.