Let’s start with a fun fact: In 1981, the first cybercriminal was convicted of hacking into the AT&T network and altering its internal clock so it charged off-hour rates at peak times. So, it turns out that cybercrime is not all that new. It stays new in the sense that it is constantly evolving. Cybercriminals now target not only big businesses like AT&T, but also small and medium-sized businesses. Cybersecurity has to be a conscious mindset. It is not something to be taken lightly or something that you can engage in passively as though it were a random business requirement. In order to stay safe in today’s high-risk environment, businesses need to focus on cybersecurity, have clear cybersecurity policies, action plans and ongoing training in place. This also means budgeting appropriately to support the process. Remember, creating a safe network in your organization isn't an idea that starts and ends with IT. Human Resources is a critical component in the design and implementation of any cybersecurity policy and training program. Some SMB owners feel investing in IT doesn’t offer great returns, but maybe current spending is not in optimal areas:

• Are you relying on a member of your team to wear an IT hat? That person may not have the knowledge necessary to protect you against the latest and emerging threats. They may also lack connections to business-class solutions that professionals would have. Finally, they may not have sufficient time to properly manage all the IT concerns. All of these can result in money and time poorly spent.
• Are you paying in-house full-time IT staff? Do they have enough work to stay occupied full-time? When you have an in-house IT team, there are other costs that come with it, generally HR-related, such as training costs, employee benefits, medical insurance, 401(k) etc.,

As a result, SMBs taking these approaches tend to resort to a firefighting approach to IT problems, which means, they reach out to an IT service provider when they face an issue. However, more often than not, it is too little, too late and too expensive. Consider partnering with a Managed Service Provider. MSPs can help businesses with no IT team or one which has a person or multiple people managing their IT resources. By partnering, IT staff have access to business-class tools and professional experience. Because Managed Services focuses on preventive management, fires occur less often and are typically caught more quickly. This means resolution is quicker and less painful. In the long run, a smooth running and secure network allows your business to be more productive. That’s a worthwhile investment!