Small businesses are three times more likely to be attacked by hackers than large ones

Think your small business is safe? Hackers target businesses of all sizes. Learn more about essential security practices and preparing for cyberattacks.

Small businesses are increasingly targeted by cybercriminals. In fact, they are three times more likely to be attacked than larger companies. This is because hackers know that small businesses often have weaker security measures in place.

According to recent statistics, 43% of cyberattacks target small businesses. Yet only 14% of small businesses are prepared to defend themselves against these threats. Review endpoint security best practices.

Why are small businesses targeted?

Small businesses are attractive targets for several reasons:

• Limited resources: They often lack dedicated IT security staff
• Weaker defenses: Security measures may be outdated or inadequate
• Valuable data: They still hold customer information, financial data, and intellectual property
• Gateway to larger targets: Hackers use small businesses as entry points to attack larger partners or clients

Even a one-person business holds data that a cybercriminal can sell or exploit. Here is some of the information attackers look for:

• Customer records
• Employee records
• Bank account information
• Email addresses and passwords
• Payment card details

Common threats facing small businesses

1. Phishing attacks

Phishing remains one of the most common attack vectors. Cybercriminals send fraudulent emails designed to trick employees into revealing sensitive information or downloading malware. Learn about phishing protection.

2. Ransomware

Ransomware attacks encrypt your business data and demand payment for its release. These attacks can be devastating, causing significant downtime and financial loss.

3. Password attacks

Weak or reused passwords make it easy for hackers to gain unauthorized access to your systems. Implementing strong password policies is essential.

4. Insider threats

Not all threats come from outside. Employees, whether malicious or careless, can compromise your security through their actions.

5. Business email compromise

In this type of fraud, attackers take over or imitate a legitimate email account, often an executive's or a supplier's, and ask for a payment, a change of banking details or confidential documents. Because these messages often contain no attachment or malicious link, they can slip past filters. A simple rule helps: confirm any payment or banking change by phone, using a number you already have on file.

How to protect your small business

1. Implement strong security policies

Establish clear cybersecurity policies covering password management, data handling, and acceptable use of company resources.

2. Train your employees

Regular security awareness training helps employees recognize and respond to threats. Your team is your first line of defense.

3. Keep systems updated

Ensure all software, operating systems, and security tools are regularly updated with the latest patches.

4. Use multi-factor authentication

Adding an extra layer of security beyond passwords significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access.

5. Backup your data

Regular backups ensure you can recover quickly from an attack without paying ransom or losing critical information. Review IT succession planning.

6. Partner with IT professionals

Working with experienced IT security professionals ensures your defenses are properly configured and maintained. Learn how to choose the right managed IT service provider.

7. Limit access and administrator rights

Give each employee access only to the data and systems they need for their job. Everyday accounts should not have administrator rights, and access should be removed as soon as someone leaves the company.

8. Prepare an incident response plan

Decide in advance who to call, how to isolate an infected computer, where your backups are and how to communicate with your clients. In Quebec, Law 25 also requires businesses to keep a register of confidentiality incidents and to notify the Commission d'accès à l'information and the people affected when an incident presents a risk of serious injury. Knowing these steps before an attack saves precious time.

Quick self-assessment

Can you answer yes to each of these questions?

• Is multi-factor authentication enabled on email and remote access accounts?
• Are your backups stored separately from your network, and have you tested a restore recently?
• Have your employees received security awareness training in the past year?
• Are your computers and software set to receive security updates automatically?
• Do you know who to call if you suspect an attack?

If you answered no to one or more of these questions, those are the gaps to address first.

Common mistakes small businesses make

• Assuming antivirus software is enough. It is one layer of protection among several; email filtering, updates, backups and training are just as important.
• Sharing accounts and passwords between employees, which makes it impossible to know who did what and to cut off access cleanly.
• Keeping backups connected to the network at all times, where ransomware can encrypt them along with everything else.
• Treating security as a one-time project instead of an ongoing process that evolves with your business and with the threats.

Don't wait until it's too late

Cybersecurity isn't optional for small businesses anymore. The cost of a breach far exceeds the investment in proper security measures. Contact us today to discuss how we can help protect your business from cyber threats.

Our cybersecurity team helps small and medium-sized businesses assess their risks, put the right protections in place and train their employees, so security becomes part of daily operations rather than an afterthought.

About Nexxo

Nexxo Computer Solutions specializes in providing IT and technology services to Quebec businesses. Its mission is to offer Quebec companies IT services tailored to their needs. Acting as an external IT department, it handles all of a company's IT tasks, allowing it to focus on its business activities. It achieves this by collaborating closely with its clients and putting their interests at the center of its concerns.