We are still encountering many administrators at the SMB level who are in denial about the threat of cybercrime. Some business leaders, it seems, would rather wait and experience a cyberattack instead of taking preventative action to secure their networks.

All we can say is good luck, because it’s bound to happen sooner rather than later.

According to a new study from Malwarebytes, malware incidents at U.S.-based SMBs grew by 165 percent year-over-year during 1Q17. And 90 percent of U.S. states had at least a 90 percent year-over-year first quarter increase in malware incidents.

Here’s the kicker: In at least 10 states, malware grew by over 400 percent.

This is pretty troubling, when considering that 60 percent of small organizations go out of business within 6 months following a cyberattack.

The good news, though, is that a growing number of SMBs are realizing that it’s okay to ask for assistance in battling cybercrime.

One study shows that 59 percent of SMBs are now working with managed service providers (MSPs) like Apex Technology Services. MSPs offer direct access to cutting-edge threat detection technologies, as well as systems patching and maintenance. 

“So far, most businesses have relied on internal IT security for layering in security for cloud and mobile environments,” stated Techaisle, who conducted the study. “However, relative to midmarket firms, small businesses have limited internal IT security staff, are not currently working with a managed service provider capable of managing security needs. But as threat sources continue to rise, both the small and midmarket segments will turn to MSPs.”

To learn more about Apex, click here.

A new breed of hacktrepeneurs has awoken and they have little to fear and everything to gain by infecting as many companies as possible and extorting money from them. Apex Technology Services stands ready to protect your company regardless of whether it’s located in New York City; White Plains, New York; Connecticut; Australia; Europe; or anywhere else. Our full suite of cybersecurity and IT support services is at your disposal, enabling you to spend less time worrying about and more time growing your business.

To ensure your security, consider one of our most popular services — Auditing & Documentation — which pinpoints vulnerabilities in your infrastructure, process flow and internal security procedures.