End-User Training Is Your Strongest Line of Cyber Defense.

Research indicates that small and mid-sized businesses increasingly turn to social media to engage with customers and drive growth.

According to data from SCORE, a research affiliate of the Small Business Administration (SBA):

• Close to 50% of small and mid-sized business owners identify social media as their go-to digital marketing channel.

• 73% report it delivers the strongest results across their digital efforts.

That’s why many cybercriminals target social media along with texts, emails, and phone calls as prime entry points for their attacks. Their strategy typically involves tricking individuals into revealing login credentials, which are then used to access sensitive data or take control of critical systems. In many cases, attackers demand ransom or sell stolen information on underground markets.

Here are some common social engineering tactics used to exploit unsuspecting users:

• Phishing links sent via email or text, directing users to counterfeit websites designed to steal login credentials

• Voice phishing (vishing) calls that prompt individuals to return a call instead of clicking a link, aiming to extract sensitive information over the phone

• Malicious attachments in spam emails that, when opened, install harmful software like ransomware on the recipient’s device

The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) reports that over the past five years, the majority of cybercrime complaints have come from small and mid-sized businesses. So how can SMBs defend against this growing threat? The answer starts with employee education. Well-trained staff are your first and strongest line of defense by understanding the policies, procedures, and tools that help safeguard your organization from cyber risks.