As a tech startup, you have a lot on your plate. From fixing the printer to ordering stock and winning clients – a data breach is the last thing you need. Take a moment to ask yourself, how easy would it be to hack into our data?
To protect yourself from cybercriminals, who can rake in billions, you should always monitor your networks, bank accounts, and emails for suspicious activity. You should also ensure employees have at least some basic training on how to spot potential breaches. But you can’t do everything at once. So how can you protect your business and your reputation? A VPN will do the hard work for you and stop cybercriminals from accessing your data before they can begin.
What is a Data Breach?
A data breach is a serious incident in which information is accessed without permission by cybercriminals. Criminals target small businesses because they know they can steal large amounts of data with just one attack. In an ever-growing digital world, businesses are storing more and more data online but as technology progresses, so do cybercriminals. So it’s more important than ever to protect your businesses from cybercrime. Often breaches can happen without the company knowing it, and then it’s too late.
They occur for many reasons, but the main causes of data breaches are:
- Weak passwords that are unchanged for long periods
- Lack of security software
- Out of date software
- Clicking links that contain malware or viruses
- Downloading unsecured files
95% of cybersecurity breaches are due to human error, so up to date software is essential to minimize the risks. A VPN is the most cost-efficient and effective way to protect your start-up business from hackers, scammers, and data thieves.
Be prepared
The best way to avoid a data breach is by being aware that it can happen and doing everything you can to prevent it. Research shows that 43% of SMBs lack any type of cybersecurity defense plan. This is a worrying number and shows just how many businesses are leaving themselves vulnerable. Cybercriminals often target small start-up businesses for this exact reason. They are banking on the fact that these companies do not have the security measures in place to protect themselves.
As a start-up, cash flow is always at the front of your mind, but a VPN is affordable and is a small price to pay for added security and peace of mind. Many businesses are surprised at the simplicity of a PIA VPN, but trusted providers make installation simple. In just a few clicks, your business devices can be protected from cybercriminals and employee activity secured.
How a VPN works.
More than money
If your company suffers a data breach and is found to have not followed the appropriate law and regulations, you could face a huge fine. However, the cost of a cyber-attack can be more than just financial. It takes a long time for a business to build an exceptional reputation, but only a second to tear it down. If you can afford the fine, your company could be put out of business due to falling profits caused by a mistrust of your brand. The data break could also affect your clients and customers personally, as their details could be used by the criminals to commit further crimes such as fraud or identity theft. Your customers will be left feeling let down and frustrated and can take legal action.
What Else Can A VPN Do For Your Business?
It’s not just about security. A VPN will provide you with an entire package that can benefit your business in many ways:
- Many companies require their employees to travel for work or have teams working from home. A VPN will allow everyone to stay connected, access company networks, and participate in meetings from anywhere in the world.
- A VPN will mask your IP (Internet Protocol) address and hide your true location. This is useful when businesses need to protect the location of sensitive information or expensive stock warehouses.
- You may experience quicker internet speeds when you install a VPN, as it will restrict your Internet Service Provider from data throttling your connection.
- If employees often use public Wi-Fi at coffee shops or airports, a VPN will protect their devices from cybercriminals who take advantage of the lack of security at these hot spots.
As the saying goes, it’s better to be safe than sorry. In the case of cybersecurity, it couldn’t be more accurate.
