If you’re reading that list of company names thinking, “I’m just a small business compared to these big guys – that won’t happen to me,” we’ve got news for you. Many of these companies have cyber security budgets in the millions, and it still happened to them, not because they were ignoring the importance of cyber security but because of a piece of software they use to run their business.

Progress Software’s MOVEit, ironically advertised as a tool you can use to “securely share files across the enterprise and globally,” “reduce the risk of data loss,” and “assure regulatory compliance,” was exploited by a tactic called a zero-day attack. This occurs when there is a flaw in the application that creates a gap in security and has no available patch or defense because the software maker doesn’t know it exists. Cybercriminals quickly release malware to exploit the vulnerability before the software maker can patch it, essentially giving them “zero days” to respond.

These attacks are dangerous because they are difficult to prevent and can quickly and easily ruin smaller businesses.

Depending on the organization’s motives, the stolen data can be deleted, held for ransom, or sold on the dark web. Or, if you are lucky enough to recover your data, you might still end up paying out thousands or more in fines and lawsuits, losing money from downtime, and coming out on the other end with a damaged reputation that causes clients to leave anyway. In MOVEit’s case, the cybercrime agency Cl0p has claimed on its website that its motivation is purely financial. It has allegedly deleted data obtained from government agencies as they were not the intended targets.

What does this mean for small businesses?

It underlines the harsh reality that cyber security isn’t just the concern of big businesses and government agencies. In fact, small businesses can be more vulnerable to cyber-attacks, as they often dedicate fewer resources to protection.

It also means that even if your organization is secure, the third-party vendors you work with and the tools you use in your business still pose potential risks. Most of MOVEit’s affected customers likely had solid cyber security measures in place. Even though it was no direct fault of their own, at the end of the day, those companies still must go back to their clients, disclose what happened, and take the verbal, legal, and financial beating of a data breach.

The MOVEit hack serves as a grim reminder of the critical importance of cyber security for businesses of all sizes. In the face of an increasingly sophisticated and fast-moving cyber threat landscape, companies cannot afford to ignore these risks. Cyber security must involve regular assessments, updates, monitoring, training, and more. As this terrible incident shows, a single vulnerability can lead to a catastrophic breach with severe implications for the business and its customers.

Cyber security isn’t just a technical issue in the digital age – it’s a business imperative.

If you have ANY concerns about your business or want a second set of eyes to examine your network for vulnerabilities, we offer a FREE Cyber Security Risk Assessment.

Click here or call 941-493-5126 to schedule a quick consultation to discuss your current situation and get an assessment.