Cybersecurity Essentials for Main Street
There are approximately 36.2 million small businesses in the United States,1 each playing a vital role in the local economy by creating jobs and paying taxes. They can be found in a variety of settings, from quaint small towns to bustling metropolitan areas across the country. The immense number of small businesses, along with their relatively smaller size, makes them popular targets for cybercriminals.
In fact, small businesses account for about 43% of all annual cyberattacks, with the average cost of a cyberattack at $25,000.2 This underscores the need for these businesses to strengthen their cybersecurity measures and implement strategies to protect sensitive data and assets from potential breaches. We’ve put together some essential tips for those of you seeking ideas to enhance your business's cybersecurity.
The point-of-sale (POS) system used by your small business serves as a touchpoint for transactions and customer interactions. Because your POS system handles personal and financial information daily, it is an appealing target for cybercriminals. Therefore, ensuring data protection should be a top priority.
Begin by examining your POS system, including its account settings, to evaluate its current security level and identify any available security add-ons. While basic encryption is standard, you may find that features such as end-to-end encryption (E2EE), point-to-point encryption (P2PE), fraud monitoring and advanced user permissions come at an additional cost though investing in them can be invaluable.
Next, regularly check for updates released by your POS provider and implement them promptly, as they may include important security patches. Finally, consider using antivirus software for your POS system and locking it down when it is not in use.
Small business websites are often prime targets for cybercriminals, especially those that engage in e-commerce by selling products or services online. Cybercriminals try to exploit vulnerabilities in websites to steal company and customer data and disrupt operations. Fortunately, there are several ways to secure your website and protect it from malicious actors.
Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) Certificate - This technology creates an encrypted connection between your website's server and its browser, ensuring that any data exchanged remains private and secure.
Implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF) - A WAF is designed to protect website applications from various cyberattacks, such as cross-site forgery, SQL injection and malicious file inclusion.
Use Strong Credentials and MFA - All staff members with access to your business website, such as the website manager and information technology manager, should be required to use unique passwords for web admin panels and hosting accounts. Additionally, implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an extra layer of security to your web access.
Limit Login Attempts - Cybercriminals frequently attempt to gain unauthorized access to websites by trying multiple login credentials in quick succession. This tactic is known as a brute force attack. By implementing one or more security plugins, you can block specific IP addresses after detecting a specific number of failed login attempts.
Keep Website Software Updated - In addition to providing a better user experience, regularly updating your website software, plugins and theme can help protect against security vulnerabilities.
Setting up a business email account with your domain name appears more professional than using a standard email account. However, business email accounts are frequently hacked and exploited by cybercriminals. If scammers manage to access your email or create an account with a similar sender name, they can send messages that appear legitimate, asking recipients for personal and financial information.
Email authentication, also referred to as email validation, helps protect your business's email from cybercriminals and makes it harder for them to spoof your communications. One key feature of email authentication is the Sender Policy Framework (SPF), which confirms that a mail server is authorized to send emails for a specific domain. Another feature is DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM), which places a digital signature on outgoing emails, allowing servers to verify that the messages were sent from your organization's servers.
If your small business email uses your company's domain name and you want to implement email authentication, contact your email provider for further instructions.
Although most cybercrimes are conducted remotely, some cybercriminals often initiate their illegal activities by visiting small businesses in person. During these visits, they scout the environment (business layout, POS system, security cameras, etc.) and assess vulnerabilities that could allow them to steal sensitive data.
Shady tactics include accessing Wi-Fi or Bluetooth networks from a nearby parking lot, secretly installing a malicious USB device to gain network access when no one is watching, or using portable tools to clone physical keycards.
To protect your small business from in-person schemes, you need to educate your employees about the risks. Ensure they avoid connecting to unknown Wi-Fi networks and always log out of POS systems when stepping away. If your employees use keycards to access inventory rooms or unlock computers, make sure they are never left unattended.
Providing Wi-Fi access to both employees and customers is a valuable service that enhances convenience and productivity. However, this benefit comes with security risks that can compromise sensitive data and the integrity of your network. To mitigate these risks, implement robust security measures to protect your wireless network.
This includes using strong passwords, enabling encryption protocols such as Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2) or Wi-Fi Protected Access 3 (WPA3), regularly updating Wi-Fi router firmware, and configuring your business network to separate guest access from internal systems.
The risk of cybercrime may not be top of mind for your employees, but it is a threat that should not be overlooked. By educating your team on the importance of cybersecurity and providing them with the tools and knowledge to recognize potential threats, you can boost your business's overall security.
Consider hiring a cybersecurity expert or a firm to provide a tailored training session for you and your employees. This training can cover topics such as identifying fraudulent emails and phone calls, understanding best practices for data protection, and implementing strong password policies.
Lastly, remind employees to adhere to security protocols when working remotely or on business travel. This includes keeping computers and mobile devices password-protected and using secure Wi-Fi connections or virtual private networks (VPNs).
Cybercriminals will continue to target small businesses' networks, websites, emails and internal systems, and their tactics will continue to evolve. However, by implementing effective strategies like those featured in this article, you can reduce the risk of cybercrime at your small business.
The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.
Information presented in the Ameris Advice website is provided for educational purposes only and is not related to Ameris Bank's actual products or services. Ameris Bank makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness or specific suitability of any information presented. Information provided should not be relied on or interpreted as accounting, financial planning, investment, legal or tax advice. Ameris Bank recommends you consult a professional for any specific guidance you are seeking.
1 https://advocacy.sba.gov/2025/06/30/new-advocacy-report-shows-the-number-of-small-businesses-in-the-u-s-exceeds-36-million/
2 https://www.getastra.com/blog/security-audit/small-business-cyber-attack-statistics/
In fact, small businesses account for about 43% of all annual cyberattacks, with the average cost of a cyberattack at $25,000.2 This underscores the need for these businesses to strengthen their cybersecurity measures and implement strategies to protect sensitive data and assets from potential breaches. We’ve put together some essential tips for those of you seeking ideas to enhance your business's cybersecurity.
Keep Your Point-of-Sale (POS) System Secure
The point-of-sale (POS) system used by your small business serves as a touchpoint for transactions and customer interactions. Because your POS system handles personal and financial information daily, it is an appealing target for cybercriminals. Therefore, ensuring data protection should be a top priority. Begin by examining your POS system, including its account settings, to evaluate its current security level and identify any available security add-ons. While basic encryption is standard, you may find that features such as end-to-end encryption (E2EE), point-to-point encryption (P2PE), fraud monitoring and advanced user permissions come at an additional cost though investing in them can be invaluable.
Next, regularly check for updates released by your POS provider and implement them promptly, as they may include important security patches. Finally, consider using antivirus software for your POS system and locking it down when it is not in use.
Secure Your Small Business Website
Small business websites are often prime targets for cybercriminals, especially those that engage in e-commerce by selling products or services online. Cybercriminals try to exploit vulnerabilities in websites to steal company and customer data and disrupt operations. Fortunately, there are several ways to secure your website and protect it from malicious actors. Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) Certificate - This technology creates an encrypted connection between your website's server and its browser, ensuring that any data exchanged remains private and secure.
Implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF) - A WAF is designed to protect website applications from various cyberattacks, such as cross-site forgery, SQL injection and malicious file inclusion.
Use Strong Credentials and MFA - All staff members with access to your business website, such as the website manager and information technology manager, should be required to use unique passwords for web admin panels and hosting accounts. Additionally, implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an extra layer of security to your web access.
Limit Login Attempts - Cybercriminals frequently attempt to gain unauthorized access to websites by trying multiple login credentials in quick succession. This tactic is known as a brute force attack. By implementing one or more security plugins, you can block specific IP addresses after detecting a specific number of failed login attempts.
Keep Website Software Updated - In addition to providing a better user experience, regularly updating your website software, plugins and theme can help protect against security vulnerabilities.
Implement Robust Business Email Authentication
Setting up a business email account with your domain name appears more professional than using a standard email account. However, business email accounts are frequently hacked and exploited by cybercriminals. If scammers manage to access your email or create an account with a similar sender name, they can send messages that appear legitimate, asking recipients for personal and financial information. Email authentication, also referred to as email validation, helps protect your business's email from cybercriminals and makes it harder for them to spoof your communications. One key feature of email authentication is the Sender Policy Framework (SPF), which confirms that a mail server is authorized to send emails for a specific domain. Another feature is DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM), which places a digital signature on outgoing emails, allowing servers to verify that the messages were sent from your organization's servers.
If your small business email uses your company's domain name and you want to implement email authentication, contact your email provider for further instructions.
Defend Your Small Business Against In-Person Schemes
Although most cybercrimes are conducted remotely, some cybercriminals often initiate their illegal activities by visiting small businesses in person. During these visits, they scout the environment (business layout, POS system, security cameras, etc.) and assess vulnerabilities that could allow them to steal sensitive data. Shady tactics include accessing Wi-Fi or Bluetooth networks from a nearby parking lot, secretly installing a malicious USB device to gain network access when no one is watching, or using portable tools to clone physical keycards.
To protect your small business from in-person schemes, you need to educate your employees about the risks. Ensure they avoid connecting to unknown Wi-Fi networks and always log out of POS systems when stepping away. If your employees use keycards to access inventory rooms or unlock computers, make sure they are never left unattended.
Protect Your Wireless Network
Providing Wi-Fi access to both employees and customers is a valuable service that enhances convenience and productivity. However, this benefit comes with security risks that can compromise sensitive data and the integrity of your network. To mitigate these risks, implement robust security measures to protect your wireless network. This includes using strong passwords, enabling encryption protocols such as Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2) or Wi-Fi Protected Access 3 (WPA3), regularly updating Wi-Fi router firmware, and configuring your business network to separate guest access from internal systems.
Create A Culture Of Security
The risk of cybercrime may not be top of mind for your employees, but it is a threat that should not be overlooked. By educating your team on the importance of cybersecurity and providing them with the tools and knowledge to recognize potential threats, you can boost your business's overall security. Consider hiring a cybersecurity expert or a firm to provide a tailored training session for you and your employees. This training can cover topics such as identifying fraudulent emails and phone calls, understanding best practices for data protection, and implementing strong password policies.
Lastly, remind employees to adhere to security protocols when working remotely or on business travel. This includes keeping computers and mobile devices password-protected and using secure Wi-Fi connections or virtual private networks (VPNs).
Cybercriminals will continue to target small businesses' networks, websites, emails and internal systems, and their tactics will continue to evolve. However, by implementing effective strategies like those featured in this article, you can reduce the risk of cybercrime at your small business.
The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.
Information presented in the Ameris Advice website is provided for educational purposes only and is not related to Ameris Bank's actual products or services. Ameris Bank makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness or specific suitability of any information presented. Information provided should not be relied on or interpreted as accounting, financial planning, investment, legal or tax advice. Ameris Bank recommends you consult a professional for any specific guidance you are seeking.
1 https://advocacy.sba.gov/2025/06/30/new-advocacy-report-shows-the-number-of-small-businesses-in-the-u-s-exceeds-36-million/
2 https://www.getastra.com/blog/security-audit/small-business-cyber-attack-statistics/
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