Cyber Security Solution Tools For Small Business

Worried about hackers stealing your customer data or locking you out of your systems? You’re not alone. Small businesses are a prime target for cyberattacks, but unlike big corporations, you might not have a ton of resources to fight back.

That’s where this guide comes in! We understand the challenges small businesses face. You need strong security, but you also need to watch your budget.

Here, we’ll show you affordable and effective “cyber security solutions for small businesses” that can keep your data safe and your business running smoothly.

Empowering Small and Medium Businesses with Technology

There are many types of cybersecurity solutions for SMBs, and getting the right kinds of security hardware or software can empower your business to maximize its potential without sacrificing safety. The key is to choose the technology that will keep you one step ahead of attackers and the diverse mix of threats on the landscape.

The good news is this is not as difficult as you think, especially because these tools have been created to meet a wide range of cyber dangers. Whether you want to protect employees who use email, your business’s applications, websites, or endpoints, there are several options to choose from.

Essential Cybersecurity Tools for SMBs

The cybersecurity tools you choose will vary based on the design of your network. But regardless of how your digital infrastructure is set up, you have plenty of options for protecting it. The first step is to identify the most valuable digital assets, as well as where your network may be the most vulnerable.

For many modern businesses, the most glaring vulnerabilities are found in the endpoints that connect to their network as opposed to the network’s internal assets. Spending some time analyzing who and what connects to your network and how data flows through it makes it easier to maximize your protection. Here are some tools you can use to protect your business from ransomware, phishing, hackers, and other types of threats.

Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)

Endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions make it easy to detect devices that connect to your network and respond to threats that the system recognizes. 

For example, if someone connects to your network and has malicious intentions, your endpoint detection and response system can provide detailed information about the device that connected, as well as data about its activity while joining your network. In addition to preventing unwanted users and devices from joining your network, an EDR tool is also powerful for gathering forensic information after a data breach. You can analyze the logs created by the system to see who connected and determine whether or not they were responsible for the breach.

Antivirus Software

Although antivirus software has traditionally been very good at combating computer viruses, modern antivirus solutions also do a great job of defending against other kinds of threats. A robust antivirus program can catch a variety of malware attacks by checking your computer for evidence of known threats.

Antivirus software uses existing profiles of attacks that have impacted users. It checks your system to see if these kinds of malicious programs are on your computer, inform you about unwanted elements, and get rid of them. Consequently, with the right antivirus software, you may be able to defend yourself from many of the most dangerous threats on the cyber landscape.

Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFW)

Next-generation firewalls (NGFWs) provide broad protections against an array of threats, while also making it easier for outside users to enjoy secure connections to your network. They work by inspecting data packets as they are sent to and from your network. If a known threat is detected, your NGFW can automatically discard the problematic data packet.

Also, the right kind of next-generation firewall uses machine learning that can pinpoint malicious behavior. In this way, even zero-day attacks can be stopped because the nature of the malicious code can be detected without the system having to have been informed of its existence beforehand.

An NGFW can also be used to set up a virtual private network (VPN). 

Domain Name System (DNS) Protection

Domain Name System (DNS) protection gives you an extra layer of defense by preventing employees from accessing dangerous websites. These systems can also filter out content you do not want infiltrating your network—as well as content you would prefer your users to not access.

For example, if an employee habitually accesses a website with known threats in their private time, they may try to connect to that same site while at work. Your DNS protection service can prevent them from connecting to it while they are on your network.

Email Gateway Security

With email gateway security, you can prevent undesirable emails from infiltrating the accounts of your users. This includes both irritating emails like spam and more direct threats, such as emails containing malware.

For instance, suppose you have another small office connected to your main base of operations through a software-defined wide-area network (SD-WAN) and you want to ensure all users are protected, regardless of where they are. With an email gateway security system, while they are using your small business’s email service, they will not receive the kinds of messages you identify as dangerous or unwanted. This keeps threats outside your network while also ensuring email storage space is not wasted on spam.

Intrusion Detection and Prevention (IDS/IPS)

Intrusion detection and response systems work by examining the content of data packets as they attempt to enter your network. This makes it different from a traditional firewall, which examines information inside the headers of data packets. 

With an intrusion detection and prevention system, you can block many different types of threats, especially if your system uses a comprehensive threat intelligence platform to identify malicious code.

Logging and Log Monitoring

Logging the events that impact your network and monitoring activity can make it easier to stop threats and figure out how they penetrated your system in the event of a breach. The logs provide detailed information, including time-stamped descriptions of activity, which makes correlating attacks with the devices or users that may have been the cause far easier.

Endpoint Protection

Endpoint protection focuses on ensuring that the laptops, desktops, and mobile devices that connect to your network are secure. This is especially important when you have remote workers logging in to your network. Because you have no idea which kinds of threats their devices may be exposed to when not connected to your system, it is hard to defend against the threats they may pose. 

With endpoint protection, you can strengthen the defenses of each device that users connect to your network, effectively extending the boundaries of your internal defenses.

Authentication Services/VPN

With an authentication service, you can keep unwanted users and hackers from getting into your network. This is done by outlining a privileged access management (PAM) system that forces users to authenticate their identities before connecting to your system.

Using a VPN is a straightforward way of preventing potentially dangerous users from gaining access to your digital assets. With a VPN, not only can you require all users to present login credentials, but you can also encrypt all the data that gets exchanged between them and your system. In this way, their devices, as well as your network, are protected from external threats.

Cloud-based Security

Cloud-based security is a broad term that refers to the technologies and policies used to protect cloud-based assets from cyberattacks. These kinds of solutions safeguard cloud resources, such as your:

1. Data
2. Applications
3. Services
4. Cloud infrastructure

Web Application Firewalls

Web application firewalls (WAFs) keep your web-based applications protected from hackers who may try to infiltrate them to steal information or exploit a vulnerability in a web app. All traffic being sent to and going from your web service is filtered, and if a threat is detected, the data associated with it can be discarded automatically. 

Many small and medium businesses use WAFs to protect their web assets from hackers, distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, and other internet threats.

SD-WAN

Software-defined wide-area networks (SD-WAN) give you the ability to control the way traffic is managed with granular detail. Using SD-WAN, you can optimize how your digital resources are used, ensuring adequate support and cyber safety at the same time. Instead of your traffic traveling through your network randomly, you can tell certain kinds of data to go one place while sending other kinds somewhere else. This results in a more stable, safer experience for users. 

With SD-WAN, you can also reduce the expense associated with bandwidth because you get more out of your current service.

Enterprise Password Management/Privileged Access Management (PAM)

With enterprise password management and PAM, you gain control over the activities and identities of all users and devices that interface with your network. Only those granted access credentials are allowed to interact with your network, and if their activity becomes problematic, you can revoke their privileges. 

Also, if a user no longer qualifies, such as when they have been terminated from your company, you can easily ensure they are no longer able to get into your system.

Vulnerability and Threat Management

Vulnerability and threat management involves reducing your business’s exposure to threats, as well as making sure endpoints are adequately secured and your company is resilient in the event of a breach. This requires a systematic approach involving technologies, such as endpoint protection tools, policies, and people.

Vulnerability assessment also requires a system for reporting issues, enabling you to address weaknesses and prevent serious breaches down the road.

Threat Detection

Threat detection involves analyzing all the assets connected to your network, as well as the network itself, for suspicious activity, applications, and users. A threat detection system leverages the data generated by various events on your network to identify cyber safety concerns. It can also involve a sandbox, which contains threats in an isolated environment, keeping them away from sensitive areas of your network. While the threat is within this controlled environment, its activity is carefully monitored, allowing admins to study and learn from it.

What to look for in a cybersecurity company

For many small businesses, cybersecurity is not necessarily their core focus. It’s understandable if you need help with cybersecurity – after all, you have a business to run. But how do you know what to look for in a cybersecurity company? Here are some key attributes to look out for:

Independent tests and reviews:
A cybersecurity company could dazzle you with technical jargon and an impressive marketing campaign, so it’s important to look at independent tests and reviews. The best cybersecurity firms want their products tested and are happy to share the results.

Avoid cheap options:
You want to avoid a company that comes in, installs software, and then disappears. Additionally, a company claiming to specialize only in one field without offering additional products or support can’t provide the protection you need.

Extra support:
Whether a threat has been detected or you are having trouble backing up your files, you want a company that offers a decent level of support. Choose a company that helps you navigate threats, finds solutions, and takes the hassle out of cybersecurity.

Growth potential:
As your business grows, you need a cybersecurity company that can grow with you. Focus on companies that offer a full range of security systems for businesses, including those you may need in the future.

Eze

Eze Uchenna is the managing editor of the Ezechax blog. When he’s not working, you can find him enjoying a captivating television show or sharing fun moment with friends.