Top 5 Cybersecurity Controls for Small Businesses

Every business — no matter the size — faces cyber threats that can disrupt operations and compromise sensitive information. For small businesses, where resources are usually limited, implementing robust, automated cybersecurity controls is not only a necessity but a necessity.

Let's chat about the top five cybersecurity measures that can protect your business from these attacks, and how Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud can assist you in implementing them effectively.

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1. Enhanced Email Security, Along with Collaboration Applications

Email is the most used communication platform and statistically the most exploited entry point for a wide variety of cyber threats, including phishing attacks that can result in significant security breaches. Sophisticated email security safeguards against such threats, ensuring the integrity of your communication channels.

Why it Matters Emails are the lifeblood of most businesses, used for communications with customers, suppliers, and internally. Protecting this line of communication is protecting your business's operational integrity.

What Can Be Done

Use Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud to secure your email by scanning for phishing attempts, attachment file scanning for malware, and keeping your information safe from unauthorized access. This service also secures collaboration applications, so your team's sharing of information is kept secure regardless of the platform in use.

2. Data Protection (Backups and Data Loss Prevention)

Data is one of the most important assets of a company. Taking regular data backups and implementing DLP solutions will help your company quickly recover from data loss incidents and prevent sensitive data leaks outside the organization.

Why it Matters

Losing data can be disastrous, resulting in lost customer confidence and even legal action for data breaches. Having your data backed up and secured reduces these risks substantially.

What Can Be Done

Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud offers fully automated backup features that not only save your data but also make it readily recoverable during a crisis. Aside from this, its DLP functionalities can help block data breaches by managing and tracking data access and utilization.

3. EDR & NGAV (Endpoint Detection and Response & Next Generation Anti-virus)

EDR and NGAV are the latest technology, intended to detect, analyze, and respond to suspicious activity and malware at endpoints in real time.

Why It's Important

Endpoints - like laptops, smartphones, and other devices that connect to the network - are common entry points for cyber attackers. Securing these can greatly reduce your vulnerability to cyber attacks.

What You Can Do

With Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud, you get NGAV that defends against the latest malware threats, along with EDR capabilities that provide real-time monitoring and response to threats at endpoints, protecting your company's devices.

4. Awareness Training

Human error is one of the leading causes of security breaches. By educating employees on cybersecurity best practices and instructing them on how to identify possible threats, organizations can significantly reduce this risk.

Why it Matters

An informed workforce is your first line of defense - human firewalls so to speak. Ongoing training can avert potential breaches that result from careless errors or lack of knowledge.

Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud delivers awareness training through numerous resources and training modules that can be shared to employees. This campaign works towards enhancing their knowledge of cybersecurity so they are well-equipped to protect themselves as well as the company.

5. Security Posture Management (Automated Vulnerability and Pen Testing to Secure Applications)

This includes reviewing and tracking the security level of your apps via routine vulnerability scanning and penetration testing.

Why it Matters

Programs, whether designed for internal or customer use, can contain backdoors that will be exploited by hackers. Continual testing and updating are a must to protect these programs against future attacks.

What Can Be Done

Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud provides an integrated set of features designed to simplify vulnerability scanning and penetration testing so that it can be more effective at ensuring an optimal security stance.

This proactive strategy identifies and reduces vulnerabilities well before they can be targeted.

By implementing these top-level cybersecurity controls, small businesses can defend themselves from a broad range of cyber threats.

Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud is built to provide you with a comprehensive and simple-to-use solution for all these controls, so you can devote more time to business development and less to the threat of cyber threats.

Keeping your business safe is not a technical requirement but a strategic investment in your business's continuity and hard-won reputation.