Cybercriminals Target Small Biz

(page 2 of 2)

"For the nominal amount that some of these technologies cost, the potential savings is almost a no-brainer," Jack says.

But security doesn't always come cheap. That's why Schmidt encourages firms that can't afford the security software suites offered by companies like McAfee (MFE) and Symantec to instead create their own patchwork of security applications to get a vulnerability assessment from a reputable source—generally a large security firm—to identify and shore up any exposed part of their system. For vulnerability assessments, Schmidt says it's possible to run one for free on the Symantec or McAfee Web site. For the best protection, though, he recommends contracting with a small company that does real-time or near real-time vulnerability assessments.

Though the price of security applications often varies according to the number of users, Schmidt says that, as a general rule, companies should be willing to spend about $200 per year per employee for a solid level of protection.

Turnkey Security Solutions

Startup tech companies have begun developing suites of applications geared specifically to keeping small businesses safe in cyberspace. San Mateo (Calif.)-based Untangle, previously named Metavize, is one such company. Its networking security and antivirus software is free for small companies with 10 employees or less, $75 a month for outfits with between 11 and 30 employees, and $195 a month for those with more than 30 employees. Once installed, individual applications—such as one that blocks specific URLs—can be easily added, and companies can cherry-pick applications that they need.

Summer Hill has been investing $85 a month for a beta version of Untangle's software to fix its network slowdown problem and get ongoing online security services, and is pleased with the results. The company hooked up with Untangle through a referral. "We use technology, but we don't have high-tech experts working here. What we needed was a good, all-encompassing solution that we don't need to think about," says Brown.

TrustELI, a Mount Laurel (N.J.)-based firm that claims to offer the benefits of an IT staff in one affordable system, is chaired by former cybersecurity czar Schmidt. For a one-time fee of about $200 and an estimated $10 monthly management fee, a business with up to five computers can install the system, which includes a cable or DSL modem with a four-port router and a wireless modem. The router, managed via the TrustELI's command center, provides antivirus, anti-spyware, spamware, anti-phishing, content filtering, and a virtual private network. "Appliances at big companies have their [secure] gateways to protect against a lot of this stuff. [The TrustELI product] is made for small businesses, and it…blocks all the harmful stuff from coming in to begin with," says Schmidt.

"When you have a 20-person company that is really good at making chocolate wafers for holiday distribution and knows little about computer systems," says Schmidt, it should be able to dedicate the majority of its time to its core competency—not to thinking about security all the time.

Jeffrey Gangemi is a freelance writer based in Mendoza, Argentina.