Security: real threats
Brendan Gorman, Xootec’s Managing Director, talks about the security risks to your business that many other vendors may ignore.
Internet security is fast becoming a critical issue for all sizes of business. Enterprise level organisations tend to invest more time and money in security software and protocols, whereas small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) tend to simply buy an anti-virus product and think that they’re covered. Independent AV testing organisation AV-Test reported finding over 80,000,000 new strands of malware in 2013.
Targeting SMBs for financial gain and exploitation has become a much more specialised and strategic ‘business’ than ever before. Malware writers are specifically targeting SMBs rather than larger enterprises simply due to the ease of access and fewer security protocols. They typically use malware to steal corporate business data to sell on or bribe the company with. The average cost of the worst security breaches to SMBs last year was reportedly between £35,000-65,000. This illustrates what a lucrative business malware is for computer hackers.
According to the 2013 Information Security Breaches Survey, 87 per cent of SMBs suffered some sort of security breach last year and despite the common belief that a large percentage of security breaches are caused by internal user error, the survey found that 63 per cent of SMBs were actually targeted and attacked by unauthorised outsiders.
Our award-winning security partner,
F-Secure, found that almost 83 per cent of security breaches among SMBs could actually be prevented if all they did was update their software regularly. Outdated software is one of the easiest ways for hackers to gain access into your system. And it’s not just Microsoft software that requires regular updates. Around 85 per cent of software updates required on the average computer are from vendors other than Microsoft.
At Xootec, we provide SMBs with an automated Software Updater feature within their chosen security suite, powered by F-Secure. This ensures that business software is updated on a timely basis, without the overhead and risk of a manual process.
The key question though when considering data security, is how much is your business reputation really worth? You may have heard or read about stuxnet, or cryptolocker and how these computer viruses have severely affected companies not only financially but also reputationally. In most cases we find the loss and theft of private corporate data is more costly than the financial cost of cleaning and updating the infected systems.
Xootec takes a holistic approach to your information security needs. We provide a complete solution from internet security to data back-up, either as a stand-alone service or as part of one of our comprehensive IT support packages. Plus we have the expertise to help you develop the procedures and protocols to keep your business secure.
Xootec and F-Secure have been working together for several years to provide businesses in Northern Ireland with complete, trustworthy and affordable security solutions to protect both systems and corporate reputation from all types of data security breaches.
We are offering a special introductory price to look after your business security of 18 months for the price of 12. We also aim to beat your existing security provider’s renewal cost. If you would like any more information about how you can improve your business security, please contact us on 08456 800 250.
Xootec Ltd
First Floor, The Stables
Sir Thomas & Lady Dixon Park
Upper Malone Road
Belfast, BT17 9LA
Tel: 08456 800 250
Email: hello@xootec.com
Web: www.xootec.com
