Why I Take Cybersecurity Seriously
If you think cybercriminals only go after big corporations, I’m here to tell you—that’s just not true anymore. In fact, small businesses are now the top target for cyberattacks. What really shocked me? Statistics show that 60% of small businesses shut down within six months of a breach. That hit me hard.
Why? Because hackers know exactly what I’ve realized—most small businesses lack strong cybersecurity defenses, making them easy prey. That’s why I’ve made it a priority to advocate for protecting any size business before it’s too late. Here’s what I’ve learned:
Why Hackers Are Targeting Small Businesses
The reality is, cybercriminals see small businesses as low-hanging fruit. I used to think, “Why would they bother with SMBs?”—but here’s what makes them a prime target:
✔ Lack of IT Security Expertise – Let’s be honest, most of them don’t have a full-time cybersecurity team.
✔ Outdated Software – I used to delay updates, but now I know old systems are a hacker’s dream.
✔ No Data Backups – Without backups, ransomware attacks are devastating. This is a wake-up call for most.
💡 My Takeaway: Cybercriminals don’t pick the biggest businesses—they pick the easiest targets.
The Cyber Threats That Keep Me Up at Night (And What I’m Doing About Them)
The more I dug into it, the scarier it got. These are the most common threats I watch out for—and what I’ve done to protect against them:
🚨 Phishing Scams – Did you know 90% of breaches start with a fake email? One click from an employee, and it’s game over.
🚨 Ransomware Attacks – Hackers lock your data, demand a payout, and hold your business hostage.
🚨 POS System Breaches – Small retailers, restaurants—they are prime targets for credit card fraud. It’s terrifying how fast it can happen.
💡 What I Do:
✔ I train my team regularly on spotting phishing attempts.
✔ I back up my data religiously—no exceptions.
✔ I invested in endpoint security to protect every device connected to my system.
How I’ve Strengthened Cybersecurity (Even on a Budget)
I’ll be honest—I used to think cybersecurity was complicated and expensive for most everyone except the enterprise. But I’ve learned that even simple steps can make a huge difference.
✔ Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) – I require it across the board. It’s one of the easiest ways to block unauthorized access.
✔ Cybersecurity Insurance – I wasn’t going to get this at first, but now? It’s a non-negotiable safety net in case of a breach.
✔ Regular Offline Data Backups – This is your ultimate peace of mind. No matter what happens, you know your data is safe.
💡 My Takeaway: You don’t need a huge IT budget to protect your business—you just need to be proactive. And honestly, you can’t afford not to.
Final Thoughts: Why Cybersecurity Is Now a Non-Negotiable for Me
What I’ve realized is simple—cybercriminals don’t care how big your company is. They care how easy it is to get in. That’s why I’ve stopped thinking cybersecurity is optional. For me, it’s survival.
Here’s what I make sure to do:
✔ Invest in basic cybersecurity protections—they matter more than I ever realized.
✔ Train my team—because human error is still the #1 cause of breaches.
✔ Stay proactive—waiting for an attack is not a strategy I’m willing to risk.
🚀 My advice? Don’t wait. Cybersecurity isn’t optional anymore—it’s essential if you want your business to survive.