There are many common myths when it comes to cybersecurity, and, unlike harmless stories, these myths can leave you with gaping holes in your company's cybersecurity defenses. Here are five common myths and the truth behind them.
Myth #1: It Won't Happen to Us.
The first myth is that small and medium-sized businesses are too small to be a target for cyberattackers and therefore don't need the same level of protection as large corporations.
Fact: Cyberattacks happen to organizations of all sizes, in all verticals and geographies, and hit 80% of businesses. The global financial toll? A projected $9.5 trillion.
While large corporations can take the hit and recover, a single ransomware attack has the potential to put an SMB out of business. Some cybercriminals even specifically target SMBs because they know SMBs are less likely to have the resources for reliable cybersecurity.
Regardless of what type of business or organization you have, you must protect yourself from cyberattacks and reduce your exposure. Always assume you are a target.
Myth #2: If It Worked Then, It'll Work Now.
It's very common for decision-makers to reason that since a breach hasn't happened in the past, it won't happen in the future either.
Fact: This belief doesn't account for the rapid pace at which technology and cybercrime are evolving. The threat landscape is constantly changing, and if you're not moving forward, you're moving backward. Effective security is a cycle of anticipation, adaptation, and action.
Myth #3: Once Secure, Always Secure.
Some have a mindset that once they have cybersecurity protections in place, they're all set and don't need to take any further actions.
Fact: Unfortunately, technology is fluid, and so is your business. Every time you bring on a new member of staff and add new devices, your technology's configuration shifts. As it does, it creates new avenues for cybercriminals to attack.
That's why continuous monitoring and management are necessary to maintain security integrity. The attack surface extends beyond traditional focus areas, and strong cybersecurity requires a holistic, proactive, and continuous approach to security.
Myth #4: Business Optimization is Incompatible With Security.
Many organizations still assume that security initiatives create operational friction, which delays releases, adds red tape, and increases costs.
Fact: This outdated thinking frames security and business optimization as mutually exclusive, implying that improving one must necessarily compromise the other.
While these perceptions may have roots in the past, they don't reflect modern practices. Today, security enables optimization. That means minimizing both waste and risk, including security risk.
Ultimately, secure systems are more resilient, predictable, and cost-effective, making security a driver of business performance rather than a barrier to it.
Myth 5: A Strong Password Is All I Need.
Many of us are guilty of thinking that a strong password (at least 16 characters long and a blend of letters, numbers, and special characters) is sufficient to protect our data, and often reuse the same password for multiple accounts.
Fact: Although a strong password is a good first step, it's essential to use other practices to secure your data. Unique passworks for every account and device. Reusing passwords puts your data at risk, and once one of your accounts is hacked, all of your accounts are vulnerable. Creating unique passwords for every device and account and keeping track of them using a password manager is your safest bet. Enabling MFA is another step you can take that will double your protection. The extra time it takes you to get through MFA prompts is well worth it.
Looking For An MSP?
There are plenty of vulnerabilities savvy hackers are exploiting to attack your business's data, and working with an MSP is a critical component of maintaining your company's cybersecurity.
If you're looking for a Managed Service Provider you can trust, contact our team to schedule a FREE Consultation. During this brief conversation, we'll outline the next steps to enrich your business's cybersecurity. To schedule, call us at 870-933-2583 or use the form on this page.
