The key question for startups is: how can they protect themselves as they grow?

The common gaps leaving startups exposed

When it comes to cybersecurity, knowledge is power. There are several key areas that budding companies can focus on to really tighten their defences.

Many startups have remote or hybrid working models, which carry heightened risks of communication vulnerabilities.  Nearly a third of all business emails contain malicious content, and if someone is accessing business data from a personal device, on public Wi-Fi without using secure communication methods like a VPN or overlay networks, the risk of attacks is greatly increased. It’s important for everyone to have secure email practices and connectivity methods while being on high alert, no matter where they’re working or what device they’re using.

What’s more, in the rush to grow and innovate, cybersecurity may not always make it to the top of the priority list for a startup company.  However, a lack of time, investment and attention in this area can result in great losses. Without regular updates to security protocols, startups risk leaving themselves open to avoidable breaches. Every business with an online arm can be a target of cybercrime – and anything connected to the internet presents a potential entry point for attackers. From the start, startups need to recognise this vulnerability and prioritise their security infrastructure.

This is all the more important as the widespread use of generative AI means threats are now more sophisticated and scalable than ever. AI can automate attacks, making them faster and harder to detect. Startups need to remain vigilant and prepared – and know that while this sounds frightening, the best-quality cybersecurity companies are investing in AI for good, using that same super-scalable power to detect and diminish risks at a similarly unprecedented scale.

The importance of Zero Trust

Zero Trust is a security framework that means every access attempt, whether internal or external, needs to have repeated vetting and verification. Every request, whether from a user or a device, must be authenticated, authorised, and constantly validated. This is a principle that all businesses should be aware of as it ensures that even if an attacker gains access to part of a network, they can’t easily move laterally throughout the environment. By following the principles of least privilege and zero trust, a business can significantly reduce the potential damages from a breach. For startups, this is exceedingly important as, with their typically overstretched resources, they are less likely to survive the monetary impact of a cyberattack.

Zero Trust helps protect a startup’s assets in an affordable, sensible manner, so it can scale without compromising security.

Leaders beware: the importance of senior buy-in

Cybersecurity has to be seen as a key part of growth and not just a technical concern. The many high-profile breaches should serve as warnings that you need to invest in defending your business – or you run the risk of paying a devastating financial and reputational cost. Data last year showed two-thirds of small UK businesses (under 50 employees) had experienced some sort of attack. Not all companies live to tell the tale.

Hornetsecurity provides a solution for ongoing security awareness training as it believes the ‘human firewall’ of employees provides a crucial line of defence. It’s never been so important to build a security-conscious culture as a company, startup or otherwise. Coupled with installing robust cybersecurity technology, training employees to spot phishing attempts, understand safe practices, and recognise risky behaviour reduces the chances of successful attacks.

Cybersecurity is a fundamental part of a company’s sustainable growth. Startups that prioritise cybersecurity can scale with confidence that they’re able to protect their data and their future. AI-generated attacks are on the rise, meaning investment in security should not be seen as optional; it’s essential.

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