It’s easy to assume that hackers are only interested in going after big targets, but to do so would be a costly mistake. The reality is that the enormous amounts of data a small business routinely generates, as well as their common lack of security measures, make them a favorite target for cyber criminals.

Traditional cybersecurity solutions, such as firewalls and antivirus programs, rely on the same underlying technology that businesses have been using for decades. While that’s not to say that these measures are now redundant (they’re certainly not), you’d be leaving your business open to an unacceptable level of risk if you were to rely on them entirely. Here are four of the top reasons why:

#1. Traditional Security Measures Are Reactive

The world of cybercrime has morphed into a high level of sophistication that sees new threats appear every day, and many of these elude traditional security systems. A lot of victims react only when it’s too late, instead of planning for the worst-case scenario beforehand. Sure, antivirus might pick up malware on your computer, but probably not before a hacker has already gained access and done considerable damage.

To keep up with the onslaught of new threats such as zero-day exploits and the latest phishing scams, businesses need to change their mindsets from reactive to proactive. In other words, you need to believe that an attack can happen at any time and without any warning. This proactive methodology involves predicting attacks by minimizing the attack surface and isolating any vulnerabilities by conducting a full risk assessment.

#2. The Increasing Sophistication of Malware

As the number of internet-connected devices used for business continues to increase, so does the number of potential vulnerabilities. Just like the technology it exploits, malware is becoming more varied and multifaceted to the extent that targeted attacks can now bypass blacklisting methods used by off-the-shelf antivirus software.

To protect your organization from the rising multitude of digital threats, you need to adopt a policy of proactive response rather than a reactive one. That means you need round-the-clock monitoring to detect suspicious behavior, which is more effective than detecting known threats already listed in a database.

#3. Targeted Attacks Are Becoming More Common

Indeed, malware remains a problem and will continue to be one for the foreseeable future, but what you may not expect is that many attacks don’t even involve a malicious code. Many don’t even need a computer to function!

Hackers carry out targeted attacks often in various forms of social engineering, and these attacks have the same goal in common – to encourage a victim to take a desired action. That might involve downloading malware or visiting a compromised website, but oftentimes these attacks are much more sophisticated.

Instead of relying on technology itself, social engineering scammers are likely to dupe victims into giving away confidential data by posing as someone the victim already knows. This tactic relies on building trust, and it doesn’t use technology at all.

To avoid falling for this trap, you need to raise awareness of such scams. After all, the weakest link in any organization is usually the human element.

#4. Cybercrime Is Constantly Evolving

As technology gets more diversified and complicated, attackers are looking at the bigger picture, targeting things like supply chains and other systems less likely to be secured. That’s why every business needs to implement a constantly evolving cybersecurity strategy that involves both proactive and reactive measures, as well as a robust disaster recovery plan.

After reading about the multitude of cyberthreats facing your business, it’s easy to get disheartened and start thinking of technology as your enemy. But with Ctelecoms on your side, you can stay focused on your business while we take care of your security. As a Premier Cisco partner, Ctelecoms provides world-class cyber-security solution for businesses of all sizes and industries in Saudi Arabia. Contact us today to get started with your free assessment.