Is Your Marketing Agency Vulnerable? How to Protect from Hackers

Marketing agencies are many things. They’re creative, dynamic, and influential. They can tap into what people need and create campaigns that appeal to that need. But there’s one thing marketing agencies are not, and that is safe from online threats. Is your marketing agency vulnerable to these threats? If so, it’s not only your business and reputation at risk but also that you place all your clients at risk. Businesses of all sizes are at risk of cybersecurity threats, and your marketing agency could be one of them. Is your business protected? Consider the following steps to help secure your marketing business against online threats.

Is your marketing agency vulnerable?

Cybersecurity is crucial for businesses of all sizes, not just the large ones. While it may seem like cyber threats only target big corporations, cybercriminals are often drawn to small businesses, knowing they typically have weaker defenses. In fact, the FCC (US Federal Trade Commission) reports that cybercrime among small businesses often surpasses the physical losses they experience. To help address this, the agency provides a tip sheet and resources to guide small businesses in securing their digital assets. Companies like GuidePoint Security also offer expert support to help businesses strengthen their cybersecurity measures and stay ahead of evolving threats.

All businesses have something that cybercriminals want, from personal data to money, so no matter your size, your online security should be one of the main priorities for your business. That’s because, according to the National Cybersecurity Alliance, cybercrime costs each entrepreneur $8000, on average, every year. Moreover, the average cost of cybercrime for businesses with under 500 employees is nearly $3 million a year.

To put the risk of phishing, malware, ransomware, and data theft into perspective, here is some data from recent studies: [source]

• 46% of all cyber breaches impact businesses with fewer than 1,000 employees.
• 61% of SMBs were the target of a Cyberattack in 2021.
• At 18%, malware is the most common type of cyberattack aimed at small businesses.
• 82% of ransomware attacks in 2021 were against companies with fewer than 1,000 employees.
• 37% of companies hit by ransomware had fewer than 100 employees.
• Small businesses receive the highest rate of targeted malicious emails at one in 323.
• Employees of small businesses experience 350% more social engineering attacks than those at larger enterprises.
• 87% of small businesses have customer data that could be compromised in an attack.
• 27% of small businesses with no cybersecurity protections at all collect customers’ credit card info.

Cost of cyberattack statistics

• 55% of people in the U.S. would be less likely to continue doing business with companies that are breached.
• 95% of cybersecurity incidents at SMBs cost between $826 and $653,587.
• 50% of SMBs report that it took 24 hours or longer to recover from an attack.
• 51% of small businesses said their website was down for 8 – 24 hours.
• In 2020 alone, there were over 700,000 attacks against small businesses, totaling $2.8 billion in damages.
• Nearly 40% of small businesses reported they lost crucial data as a result of an attack.
• 51% of small businesses that fall victim to ransomware pay the money.
• 75% of SMBs could not continue operating if they were hit with ransomware.

  

• Just 17% of small businesses have cyber insurance.
• 48% of companies with insurance did not purchase it until after an attack.
• 64% of all small businesses are not familiar with cyber insurance.

Remember that many data leaks and security issues are caused by human error, so it’s essential to consider whether your marketing agency is vulnerable. If so, you should explore the different ways you can protect your business, from simple protocol failures to major holes that can lead to costly mistakes. One practical solution to consider is using a secure email provider like Atomic Mail, which will help you protect your data.

How to protect your business

Some of the best ways to protect your business from online threats include:

Conduct a risk assessment

Is your marketing agency vulnerable? Since more than half of all small businesses don’t take any steps to secure themselves from cyber threats and nearly half have a $0 cybersecurity budget, the likelihood that your agency has some level of vulnerability is high. That’s why the first step in protecting your business from cybercriminals is to conduct a risk assessment. If you’re unsure about the risks facing your business, a risk assessment is extremely valuable to ensure your online security is up to scratch.

With an OT risk assessment, you can detect the risks you face. Once you know where your marketing agency is vulnerable, your next step is to learn how to prioritize your risks and take the proper steps to minimize them. This is ideal for small businesses without a dedicated technology department, giving you peace of mind that your business is protected.

Secure your accounts

Secure all of your accounts, from your social media accounts to password-protected files. A password manager can help your teams keep all passwords safe and secure, using complex combinations that are difficult to uncover. Require your staff to reset their passwords regularly to keep your account security up to date, and put policies in place to mandate complex passwords from all of your employees. Also, you should require two-factor authentication to increase security.

However, a secure password only works when your staff maintains proper protocols around password protection. Phishing, which accounts for 17% of all risks to small business security, relies on your staff failing to follow protocols by clicking on a link and then entering their password on the unauthorized site. Train employees to detect such efforts and tell them never to share passwords or write them down where others might find them.

Invest in security solutions

Investing in security solutions can help give your business the protection it needs. From robust firewalls to antivirus software to encryption, these solutions help make your business less vulnerable to attack and protect customer and client information. Small businesses can take several security steps to reduce their vulnerability to online threats. Check out available options and choose the one that fits your budget and needs.

While we’re on the topic of security solutions, recognize that your software providers are also concerned about providing the best security possible. That’s why they constantly update their solutions to patch holes discovered through vulnerability testing or by detecting hacking efforts. Always update your software when a new version is released to take advantage of these patches and lessen the cyber threat presented by the software you use to run your website, manage projects, automate marketing tasks, and more.

Monitor and review

Unfortunately, online threats are constantly changing as criminals find new ways to exploit and gain from unknowing businesses. It’s essential to monitor and review your cybersecurity regularly to ensure you’re always protected against the latest threats. Carry out regular reviews and refresher training with your teams to make sure you’re one step ahead. As mentioned earlier, keep all your software up-to-date to avoid leaving an opening for a hacker.

Conclusion

Maintaining your business’s online security is essential, especially in a data-driven field like marketing. Handling client data, internal data, and big-budget marketing actions daily leaves you vulnerable to online attacks, but you can stay protected with the right measures in place. Protect your business against online threats so that you can focus on doing what you do best.

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Hausman and Associates, the publisher of MKT Maven, is a full-service marketing agency operating at the intersection of marketing and digital media. Check out our full range of services.