Cyberattacks are becoming more sophisticated and are no longer limited to large companies. Small and medium-sized businesses are often targeted because attackers believe they have fewer resources to devote to IT security. However, being prepared is not just about cutting-edge technology – organizational processes, employee awareness, and preventative measures are just as important.
If your business exhibits more than one of the five signs below, it may be worth reviewing your current cybersecurity practices.
1. No incident management plan
During a cyberattack, rapid response is key. Without a well-developed incident management plan, it is easy for an organization to rush to make decisions in a critical situation. This can not only slow down recovery, but also significantly increase business and financial damage.
A well-structured incident management plan defines who is responsible for what task in the event of an attack, how internal communication takes place, when external experts need to be involved, and how customers or authorities are informed. It is not enough to prepare the plan – it must be regularly reviewed and occasionally tested.
2. Backups are infrequent or absent
Backups are one of the most effective defenses against data loss and ransomware attacks. If a business does not create regular backups or monitor them, a successful attack can cause extended downtime.
Backups should be made automatically at regular intervals and should be stored in a separate, secure location. It is equally important to check from time to time whether the data can actually be restored, as a faulty backup will only be discovered when it is too late.
3. They use weak or recycled passwords
Passwords remain one of the most common attack surfaces. Simple, easy-to-guess passwords, or using the same password across multiple systems, significantly increases the risk of unauthorized access.
A good password should be long, unique, and not contain easily guessable information. Businesses should also consider using password management applications that securely store different accesses and make it easy to use strong, unique passwords.
4. No multi-factor authentication (MFA)
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is now considered one of the most basic security measures. It requires a user to provide a second authentication step, such as a code generated in a mobile app or biometric identification, in addition to entering a password.
Thanks to this, a stolen or leaked password alone is no longer enough to hack an account. Implementing MFA significantly increases an organization's IT security with relatively little effort, which is why its implementation is now recommended for almost all businesses.
5. Employees do not receive regular cybersecurity training
Most cyberattacks begin with some kind of human error. A careless click on a phishing email, opening a suspicious attachment, or using a fake login page can be enough for attackers to gain access to corporate systems.
Regular training and awareness programs help employees recognize the most common threats and respond more confidently to suspicious situations. Technological protection alone is not enough - prepared employees are one of the most important lines of security for an organization.
Where is your company now?
If even two of the five points sound familiar, it's worth taking a survey. Cybersecurity is also increasingly a legal issue: the NIS2 directive makes risk management, incident reporting and supplier auditing mandatory for many domestic companies.
The Hungarian Cybersecurity Cluster, in collaboration with its partners, is working to ensure that domestic businesses are prepared to face these challenges.