As a small business owner, you know how critical it is to keep your data and customer information safe from today’s complex landscape of cyber threats.
One of the most vulnerable areas of attack is your email system. Email security is essential in protecting your business and its data from hackers, viruses, social engineering attacks, and other types of cyber threats.
In this blog post, we will discuss why email security for small businesses is of the utmost importance, as well as the different types of threats you should be aware of and various measures you can take for business email protection today.
Exploring the Importance of Small Business Email Security
Like most, email is one of the primary communication channels for your business. It is used as a hub to communicate with everyone from your clients, vendors, employees — so you can only imagine how much sensitive business data is stored there.
This means that although email services are so helpful, without the proper security measures, they can also serve as an email gateway for cybercriminals to gain access to your business networks and systems. According to Cyber Talk, 90% of data breaches are a result of email account phishing.
And even worse, small businesses are often targeted by cybercriminals because they are perceived as easy targets.
Cyber attackers are aware that small businesses like yours may not have the same level of security as large enterprises, making them more vulnerable to attacks — so much so that 43% of all cyber attacks now target SMBs.
For this reason, it is crucial to ensure that you take the necessary measures to create a secure email system that is protected from all types of cyber threats.
Let’s take a look at some of the most important threats to be aware of in small business email security today.
Annual number of data compromises and individuals impacted in the United States from 2005 to 2022
Image Credit: Statista
Types of Threats in Small Business Email Security to be Aware of Today
There are several types of cyber threats you should be aware of when it comes to email security for small businesses.
1. Phishing Scams
Spear phishing attacks involve tricking users into providing sensitive data and information such as passwords, credit card numbers, and social security numbers – and are responsible for 91% of all email attacks according to Deloitte.
Phishing emails can be difficult to detect as they often appear to be legitimate emails from reputable sources.
2. Malware
Malware is software designed to harm your computer or network. Malware can enter a system through various means, such as email attachments, software downloads, and malicious websites.
Once the malware has entered a system, it can cause a range of problems, such as stealing sensitive information, deleting or modifying files, taking control of your email servers, or spreading itself to other computers.
3. Spam
Spam emails are unsolicited messages that are sent in bulk. They can be annoying and distracting, but they can also be used to deliver malware or phishing scams.
To reduce the amount of email spam you receive, you can use spam filters or anti-spam software that detects and blocks spam messages – and be careful about where you share your email online.
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4. Man-in-the-Middle Attacks
This type of attack involves intercepting communications between two parties. Hackers can use this technique to steal sensitive information or to manipulate the content of emails.
In a MITM attack, the attacker positions himself between the two parties and intercepts the communication as it passes through. The attacker can then read, modify, or inject information into the communication without either party knowing.
Different Types of Business Email Security Measures to Employ
To safeguard your email system from malicious emails and the attacks outlined above, there are several types of business email security measures you can employ:
Use Strong Passwords
Ensure that you and your employees are using strong passwords that are difficult to guess. Passwords should be at least 8 characters long, and they should include a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.
Two-Factor Authentication
Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security to your email system. Users will need to provide a code or fingerprint in addition to their password to log in to help further your small business’ email security.
Email Encryption
Email encryption is a type of business email security that ensures that your emails are secure and cannot be read by unauthorized parties. You can use end-to-end encryption to protect the content of your emails.
Common best practices when employing encrypted email for small businesses include:
- Using end-to-end encryption
- Choosing strong encryption algorithms
- Utilizing a trusted encryption software
- Avoiding public wifi networks
Employee Education
In creating an environment for business email protection, you must educate your employees on email security best practices.
They should be aware of the types of threats they may encounter and how to identify them. This is especially important, considering that 88% of security breaches are a result of human error.
Check out these additional resources to learn more about how to secure email for small businesses by creating an environment of cyber awareness: |
Need Help With Your Business Email Protection?
Creating an environment of secure email for small business owners is no easy task – which is why it’s best to entrust a cyber security expert to help you implement your email security solutions.
At The Isidore Group, we provide solutions for small businesses like yours to create a cyber secure environment that stretches far beyond your email inbox.
Among the managed cyber security services we can help with are:
- Encrypted email for small business
- Antivirus / anti-malware protection
- Web filtering and security
- Cloud based security
- Network security
- Mobile device security
- Next-generation firewalls
- Penetration testing services
- 2-factor authentication (2FA)
- 24/7/365 NOC and SOC monitoring
Let us help you avoid the costly occurrence of cyber threats – contact us today to learn more about how we can help perfect your cyber security posture.
