If you think your small business isn’t worth a hacker’s time, think again. The reality is that cybercriminals don’t care how big or small your company is; they care about how easy it is to digitally break in.

Unfortunately, small businesses tend to be easier targets because they don’t have the resources to keep up with the vast range of constantly evolving cyberthreats. But the fallout from a cyberattack is brutal: lost revenue, damaged reputation, and in many cases, business closure.

But you can protect your business without breaking the bank or getting overwhelmed by tech jargon. With a little knowledge and a trusted internet partner, you can make smart moves to safeguard your data (and your customers’ trust) before the worst happens.

Small businesses are vulnerable, and the consequences are severe

Don’t assume your business is too small to attract hackers—73% of small businesses experienced a cyberattack last year, often with catastrophic consequences. An estimated 60% of small businesses close their doors within six months of a data breach, and yet 51% of them don’t budget for cybersecurity—at all.

By the numbers: The cost of inaction

The average cost of a data breach for businesses with fewer than 500 employees is $3.31 million. But of course, this number isn’t necessarily applicable to the thousands of small and local businesses with just a handful of employees, so let’s reframe that data in a different way: the average cost per record breached is $164.

In other words, if your small business experiences a cyberattack and 100 of your customers have their personal data stolen, that breach will likely cost you over $16,000 to remediate and recover from. When small businesses often operate with tight budgets and have modest cash flows, a five-figure setback can be devastating—not to mention the added cost of downtime as you recover.

A breach can instantly wreck your reputation

The financial loss from a cyberattack is bad enough, but the damage to customer trust can be even harder to recover from. Once customers lose confidence in your ability to protect their data, it’s an uphill battle to regain their trust. While this is true for organizations of any size, it’s especially devastating for small businesses, as they tend to live and die by reputation and word-of-mouth referrals.

Today’s customers expect businesses to prioritize their protection. And a data breach doesn’t just compromise sensitive information—it tells your customers that their data wasn’t adequately safeguarded.

This leads to loss of loyalty, which can severely harm your business’s long-term growth. In fact, 81% of consumers believe that there is a direct correlation between how well a company protects their data and how it views and values them as a customer.

Security tools that keep your business safe

The reality is that small businesses face many of the same cybersecurity threats as big enterprises—the difference is that SMBs don’t have access to the same cutting-edge tools and million-dollar security budgets.

That’s where a solution like Business Ready Internet comes in, offering built-in security features designed to protect your business, employees, and customers—no IT degree or massive budget required.

Here’s how Business Ready Internet helps secure your network:

  • Hardware firewall: Blocks unauthorized access to your network, acting as the first line of defense against cyberthreats
  • Traffic isolation: Separates business-critical systems, employee devices, and guest connections to prevent unauthorized access and keep sensitive data protected
  • Malware and phishing protection: Detects and blocks malicious websites and harmful content before they reach your devices
  • Security alerts: Provides real-time notifications about potential threats, helping you take action before issues escalate
  • URL category filtering: Allows you to manage access to certain types of online content, reducing the risk of exposure to harmful or inappropriate sites
  • Specific website blocking: Helps prevent access to known malicious or high-risk sites, adding an extra layer of protection against cyberattacks
  • Network map visibility: Gives you a clear view of the devices connected to your network, making it easier to detect unauthorized access

Get the protection you need with Kinetic Business

Cybersecurity for small business is essential, not a luxury. Small businesses are frequent targets for cybercriminals, and a single attack can destroy everything you’ve worked so hard to build. Investing in a secure internet solution helps you minimize risk while ensuring a smooth and safe experience for employees and customers.

Business Ready Internet from Kinetic Business combines reliable connectivity and blazing-fast fiber speeds with built-in security tools, giving you protection without the headaches of managing a bunch of different solutions.

Protect your business and build trust with your customers by upgrading to Business Ready Internet.

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