The Year of the Hack

Cyber liability and data theft are two of the hottest topics for businesses, risk managers and insurance companies. 2014 saw some of the biggest data thefts to date. While big companies, such as Target were hit this year, small businesses are actually exposed more than large businesses. In fact, 25% of data breaches affect businesses with less than 50 employees. A small business has a greater chance of having a cyber-breach than it does having a fire.

Some of The Top Data Breaches in 2014
1. USPS had 800,000 employee records compromised.
2. Home Depot had 53 million customer’s credit cards stolen.
3. Chase had 7 million small businesses information compromised.

Three Signs Your Small Business Has Been Hacked
According to BusinessNewsDaily, there are three signs your small business may have been hacked.

1. Unusually slow Internet or computers.
2. Locked out accounts.
3. A computer that turns on by itself.

Quick Tips To Deter Hackers
1. Require all computers be turned off after hours.
2. Maintain secure passwords and security software.
3. Store customer records in a high level of security.
4. Train employees on using only appropriate sites.
5. Limit storage of client data on laptop or mobile devices.
6. Back up your data daily.
7. Keep current with security software updates (or patches).