Why Small Business Cybersecurity Should Be Focused on People – Not Technology

Why Small Business Cybersecurity Should Be Focused on People – Not Technology

Businesses spend an estimated 6%-14% of their IT budgets on cybersecurity. Yet cyberattacks are on the rise against small and medium-sized businesses. In fact, 46% of data breaches impact small and mid-size businesses.

As a company that focuses on cybersecurity in Miami, we see a lot of businesses focusing too much on technology and not enough on people. Here’s why cybersecurity should be people-centric and not technology-centric.

Why Small Business Cybersecurity Should be Focused on People – Not Technology

Advancements in cybersecurity technology have come a long way, but cybercriminals are never far behind. While technology provides businesses with the right tools to help prevent attacks, it’s the people using the technology that matters most.

Cybersecurity should be people-focused because:

People are the First Line of Defense Against Cyberattacks

Today’s workforce is dynamic. Some workers are remote, while others are in the office daily. Others have a mixed schedule of office work and remote work. With less control over team locations, now more than ever, people have become the first line of defense against cyberattacks.

Today, businesses are:

  • Storing data on the cloud
  • Using SaaS applications
  • Sharing information and collaborating in new ways

No longer is cybersecurity limited to just the perimeter of the business’s office. With teams and information so spread out, it’s virtually impossible to cover all your bases with technology alone. Your team has to be a part of the defense if you hope to prevent cyberattacks.

For this reason, it’s imperative for workers to be able to spot suspicious activity before it has a chance to infiltrate the company’s system.

An informed team can be your first line of defense against an attack, and they can be an excellent one at that.

Human Error Accounts for Most Cyberattacks

Data shows that human error is at least partially to blame for 95% of data breaches. Phishing schemes are becoming increasingly more sophisticated and convincing, making it easy for untrained employees to fall into the trap.

Rather than leaning on technology to safeguard your business, invest in training and the adoption of zero-trust authorization. Comprehensive security training can help your employees spot suspicious activity and prevent attacks from progressing.

Many Businesses Have Inadequate Security Teams

Most businesses have a laundry list of expenses, and security often goes to the wayside. Even when businesses do have security teams, they are often understaffed and ill-equipped to effectively defend the company's assets.

But when cybersecurity is people-centric, employees become another line of defense against attacks. Security teams, of course, play a crucial role in the company's cybersecurity defense. However, trained and informed employees can reduce the burden on the team, allowing them to focus on other threats.

Final Thoughts

Cybersecurity attacks will continue to be a threat to businesses of all sizes for the foreseeable future. While technology can certainly improve a company’s defenses, it shouldn’t be the only line of defense against an attack.

When cybersecurity is people-focused, employees become added layers of security to help protect against attacks or prevent them from progressing any further.