Small Business Technology News
SMBs Not Prepared For A Data Disaster
Written by Jenna Weiner
Published: 9/16/2011
Small businesses must protect their valuable data from natural disasters as well as cyber attacks. The best way to prevent data loss is to proactively seek the most up-to-date security options that meet the company's needs.
A recent wave of hurricanes, tornados and wildfires have left many small businesses in financial ruin due to a lack of a plan for how to protect data in an emergency. New research from Carbonite found more than half of small businesses do not have a disaster preparedness plan for business data. The study found 81 percent of SMBs view data as the most valuable asset to the company, but 57 percent are unprepared to protect the data in the event of a natural disaster.
There were many responses as to why so many surveyed small business owners have neglected to develop a disaster preparedness plan. While 59 percent said they haven't thought about it yet, 69 percent believed they will lose money if theirbusiness could not function for one day. In addition, 54 percent said a natural disaster would not hurt their business, and 20 percent said the cost of protecting the data from an unpredictable disaster was too high.
Cyber attacks and data breaches are another source of data loss that companies of all sizes have to worry about. As digital threats continue to evolve, business owners are creating innovative security strategies to stay ahead of the attackers.
Another survey, the 2012 Global State of Information Security, conducted by PwC found 43 percent of global companies think they have an effective information security strategy in place and are working on ways to remain up-to-date on security options so as not to fall victim to hackers.
"After three years of cutting information security budgets and deferring security-related initiatives, respondents are bullish about security spending," said Mark Lobel, a principal in PwC's advisory practice.
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