Implementing the proper cybersecurity solutions for your SMB’s web-facing assets can be as critical to the business’ security posture as securing employee devices. Many people don’t realize how much of their work is now done on services that have a web-facing aspect to them, and a single misconfiguration or set of lost credentials can give malicious actors access to an enormous amount of company data or the ability to distribute malware within your network. Here are a few reasons our security specialists recommend taking a second look at the security of your SMB’s web-facing assets!
Working in the Cloud
Many businesses have switched to using cloud-based software for a variety of company needs and operations because of its convenience and ease of access from any device. With this shift, however, comes many potential attack surfaces malicious actors can take advantage of. If malicious actors can gain access to any third-party cloud software the company uses, then hackers can steal information undetected because user authentication or access controls were not properly setup by the SMB. With the convenience of your employees access their data from anywhere in the world comes the potential for hackers around the world trying to access your network.
Web-Facing Vulnerabilities
Many services that interact with the web directly require regular updates to stay secure. Failing to keep all of the company’s web-facing assets up to date with their hardware, firmware, and software can leave your business open to attack. For example, if software used to connect to cloud services isn’t updated regularly, then malicious actors will have an opportunity to exploit known vulnerabilities on popular services like Microsoft Exchange servers to attack your network. This means that as the number of web-facing assets grows, small businesses must keep track of each resource and regularly ensure it’s updated and configured correctly.
Perpetuating Attacks
Malicious actors are always on the lookout for ports left open that connect directly to resources your business uses, and a simple misconfiguration of a web-facing asset can become an open door for hackers to walk into. In the worst case scenario, a hacker could use an open port to connect to your network and gather information quietly, so you would never know they’re there until they decided to launch an attack or your IT team finds the unauthorized access point. Malware installation, remote code execution, and many other attacks become simple to deploy when a hacker gains this kind of access, and it is crucial that your SMB monitors web-facing assets to ensure proper security.
Summary
Securing your company’s web-facing assets is extremely important, but it doesn’t have to be a constant worry for your business. If you work with your local IT consultant, they can help you identify and regularly check in on your web-facing assets. This way, your business can feel secure when working from the cloud, confident your systems are up to date, and assured that access to your network is under tight control. Our team here at Robinett Consulting knows that small business IT can be difficult, but we believe that with the right knowledge and a strong partner in IT, your small business can grow with a reliable IT environment!
