• EG Conley Home
  • Why EG Conley
    • Business Performance Advisors
    • Strategic Performance Plan
    • The Principa Alliance
    • Our Team
  • Our Services
    • Business Performance & Growth
    • Performance Benchmarking
    • Tax Services
    • Audit
    • Business Valuations
    • Succession Planning
    • Peer Reviews
    • Retirement Plan Services
    • Payday Solutions
  • Tax Tools
    • Tax Tips
      • Individual
      • Business
      • Financial
    • Tax Rates
    • Due Dates
    • Financial Tools
    • Retention Guide
    • IRS Forms
  • Events
    • Summits & Webinars
  • News
    • Monthly Newsletter
    • Daily News
  • Contact Us
    • Careers

EG Conley Blog

Making your business more valuable.

  • Blog Home
  • Tax Tips
    • Business
    • Individual
    • Non-Profit
    • Payroll
  • Business Performance
  • QuickBooks
  • Accounting
Home Business Management Protect your business with a cybersecurity assessment

Protect your business with a cybersecurity assessment

Posted on November 8, 2021 Written by EG Conley, PC Leave a Comment

Years ago, it may have seemed like only government agencies with top-secret intel or wealthy international banks had to worry about hackers. Nowadays, even the smallest small business could see its reputation ruined by a data breach, while larger companies could have their sensitive data taken hostage in a ransomware attack that costs millions to resolve.

A cybersecurity assessment can help ensure that your business is taking the proper steps to protect itself. It can also give you a competitive edge by demonstrating to customers and prospects that you take data privacy seriously.

More tech, more risk

Many, if not most, of today’s companies are taking advantage of technologies that allow them to gather, track and analyze customer and financial data. This includes software for mission-critical activities such as payroll, accounts receivable and payable, supply chain management, HR and benefits, and on-site security.

These systems are often cloud-based, meaning the information is stored online so users can access it remotely at any time of day or night. The convenience and analytical power are breathtaking, but they also create a tempting target for cybercriminals and raise the stakes of exposure exponentially.

In truth, the risk of a breach goes far beyond disclosure of confidential personal or financial information. It also raises serious concerns about potential personal injuries, property damage and work stoppage. Imagine the harm a hacker could cause by tampering with a building’s security or fire systems, or remotely manipulating vehicles or equipment.

Benefits of an assessment

Conducting a formal cybersecurity assessment helps you:

  • Take inventory of your hardware and software,
  • Identify potential vulnerabilities (including access by vendors, partners, and current and former employees), and
  • Implement internal controls and other protections to reduce risk.

An assessment can also enable you to develop an incident response plan to mitigate the damage in the event of a breach.

There are several recognized cybersecurity standards and frameworks available to guide these efforts, including those developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the International Organization for Standardization. The U.S. Small Business Administration also offers cybersecurity assessment tips and best practices on its website.

If you’re particularly concerned, you might want to shop around for a qualified IT consultant to conduct a customized risk assessment. This may make sense if you’re in an industry subject to specific risks.

Become a hard target

Cybersecurity is important for every size and type of company. It may be comforting to think that the bad guys only go after the big guys, but hackers don’t always go after businesses with deep pockets. Sometimes they attack the softest target. Make sure you’re well-protected.

© 2021

Filed Under: Business Management

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Tumblr

Search the Blog

Subscribe

Get the Adding Value email newsletter

We never share your email address. Opt out at any time.

Tags

ACA Accounts Autos Benefits Capital Gains Cash Flow Charity Credits Customers Deductions Depreciation Divorce Education Employees Estimated Tax Forms Goals Health Insurance HRAs Income Internal Controls IRAs IRS KPIs Life Insurance LLCs Losses Overtime Partnerships Passive Payroll Planning Profit R&D Regulations Rentals Sales & Exchanges S Corps Section 179 SE Tax State Travel Trucks Withholding

Copyright © 2025 · Focus Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in