While the use of the internet increases daily, so does the sophistication level of cyber criminals. These criminals are stealing identities, hacking networks, and infecting computers with malware. Many business owners feel they are too small to be a target. They often do not take appropriate steps to protect their own systems, and the personal information they gather on their employees and customers. The truth is, cyber criminals know that small businesses typically do not invest in data security and systems, which makes them ideal targets.
When we think of a data breach, we often imagine some hacker continents away. Although a hacker may be the culprit, a simple mistake is increasingly becoming the cause of many breaches. Surprisingly, one in three data breaches is the result of human error. Something as simple as misplacing a flash drive with customer’s information on it or losing your laptop at the airport could be one of the costliest mistakes you or an employee can make. When it comes to personal information, lost is the same as stolen.