With the rise of cybercrime in recent years, it’s easy to forget that there are still plenty of good old-fashioned human threats that can do as much damage to your small business. Here are some of the most common human threats to small businesses and what you can do to prevent them:
Insider Threats
You might not realize it, but the biggest threat to your small business might come from within. Insider threats are a common type of human threat that can cause serious damage to a company. They can come from employees who deliberately leak confidential information, sabotage company systems, or even well-meaning employees who accidentally download malware onto company computers. Whatever the cause, insider threats can seriously impact your business. That’s why it’s essential to be aware of the risks and take steps to protect yourself.
There are a few key things you can do to reduce the risk of an insider threat: first, make sure you have comprehensive security measures in place; Second, train your employees in security best practices; and third, keep an eye out for any red flags that could indicate an insider threat with processes that ensure accountability and oversight. Even the simple precaution of making sure passwords are changed frequently or that as few people as possible have access to critical information could go a long way to keeping your business safe from harm.
Social Engineering Attacks
Social engineering attacks are a common human threat to small businesses. As the name suggests, these attacks exploit the human tendency to trust others, often preying on people’s natural desire to help.
For example, an attacker might pose as a technical support representative and convince employees to give them remote access to the company network. Once inside, the attacker can steal sensitive data or plant malware that can wreak havoc on the system. Another common social engineering tactic is phishing, whereby attackers send spoofed emails that appear to come from a legitimate source to trick users into revealing sensitive information or clicking on malicious links. Small businesses are especially vulnerable to social engineering attacks because they often lack the resources to properly train their employees to identify and defend against these threats.
As such, small businesses must take steps to raise awareness of these risks and put safeguards in place to protect their data and systems.
Physical Security Breaches
Another type of human threat that small businesses need to be aware of is physical security breaches. While most security breaches these days are digital, there are still plenty of ways for criminals to physically infiltrate your premises and steal data or sabotage your systems.
The best way to prevent physical security breaches is by installing an ASAP to PSAP system. Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP) is a system that automatically routes emergency signals from monitoring companies to Public Safety Answering Points (PSAP) emergency systems. This system is faster and more reliable than manual methods. It can help ensure that first responders are notified of emergencies promptly. Thanks to ASAP, your company can have peace of mind knowing that its premises are better protected against physical security breaches.
Employee Mistakes
No one is perfect, and that includes your employees. Employee mistakes are one of the most common human threats to small businesses. In fact, they can be so costly that they put your business at risk of failing. But there are ways to protect your business from the damages caused by employee mistakes.
The first step is to identify your employees’ most common mistakes. Then, put systems in place to prevent those mistakes from happening. For example, you might require employees to submit expense reports for approval before they are reimbursed or review customer orders for accuracy before they are shipped. By taking these precautions, you can help to reduce the risk of employee mistakes and keep your business running smoothly.
Third-Party Vendors
As a small business owner, you likely rely on third-party vendors to provide various services, from website hosting to data storage. While these vendors can be valuable assets, they can also seriously threaten your business. One of the biggest risks is that your vendor could suffer a data breach, exposing your sensitive information to hackers. Another risk is that your vendor could go out of business, leaving you without the service or product you need. Finally, your vendor could simply make a mistake that causes disruptions for your business.
To protect yourself from these risks, it’s important to do your research and choose vendors carefully. You should also have a contingency plan in place in case something goes wrong. Taking these precautions can reduce the chances of being impacted by a third-party vendor issue.
Small businesses face many different types of human threats, from insider attacks and social engineering attempts to physical security breaches and employee mistakes. The best way to protect your business from these threats is through training, awareness, security measures, and due diligence.
