Cyberattacks are a big concern for small businesses, according to a new survey.
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business and Mastercard conducted the survey earlier this month.
One in four reported an increase in cyberattack attempts in the last year while 72 per cent said they are more concerned than ever about cyberattacks on their business. Eight per cent stated that a cyberattack has cost them time or money.
Cyberattacks include attempts to damage a business’s computer system, stealing money digitally, or stealing banking or client information.
Some small firms lost as much as $500,000 while others reported long-term impacts on their operations and reputation.
“The last two years saw a huge number of small businesses increase the amount of business they are doing online, which has many benefits but also introduces new risks,” said Laura Jones, CFIB executive vice-president. “It’s critical to make it easy for business owners to protect themselves in this new environment.”
CFIB and Mastercard are working together to build targeted training that provides small business owners with what they need to know regarding cybersecurity in a user-friendly format.
Launching later this year, the new CFIB Cybersecurity Academy will deliver digital lessons on a mobile-first and gamified platform for small businesses and their employees. Topics will include preventing ransomware and cyberattacks, recognizing fraud, and identifying and preventing social engineering.
