Verizon’s Data Breach Investigations Report confirms that 61% of small and mid-sized businesses were the target of a cyberattack in the last year. If you think your business is too small to hack, East Texas cyber breach examples prove it’s time to reconsider.
Most small business owners in East Texas must manage payroll, inventory, and customer service. Unfortunately, they will often neglect cybersecurity for small businesses. Below is a guide on what current East Texas cyberattacks reveal about business risk.
What Recent East Texas Cyber Breach Examples Are Telling You
Many small businesses believe that hackers primarily target large corporations. However, the numbers say otherwise.
According to Verizon, about 50% of SMB owners who have no cybersecurity measures believe their company is too small to be a target. But unfortunately, nearly 46% of cyber breaches happened to businesses with fewer than 1,000 employees. Hackers love easy targets — and a lot of them own businesses in East Texas.
Here are some recent targets:
Longview Ransomware Attack on Auto Dealerships
Several auto dealerships in Longview had their operations disrupted by a major ransomware attack. These include:
- Toyota of Longview
- Peltier Kia Longview
- Tower Honda of Longview
- Gorman-McCracken Volkswagen
This cyberattack targeted CDK Global, a software platform these dealerships relied on for managing service records and customer data. As a result, deals were delayed due to inaccessible records.
Longview Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Cyber Attack
Longview Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery was listed as a victim of a ransomware attack linked to the LockBit ransomware group. This attack led to concerns about the compromise of sensitive patient information.
Water Facilities in Rural Texas Towns Cyber Attack
Water systems in the small Texas towns of Muleshoe and Hale Center were targeted by cyberattacks. In Muleshoe, hackers caused a water tank to overflow. City officials noticed the overflowing tank, identified the attack, and switched to manual controls.
In Hale Center, officials experienced many unauthorized attempts to log into their firewall. However, the city prevented a major issue by taking its systems offline.
Borger and Keene Municipal Cyber Attacks
Just a few years ago, Borger and Keene were affected by a coordinated ransomware attack targeting 22 Texas municipalities. These attacks brought core city services to a standstill. They could not process utility payments or issue vital records like birth and death certificates for some time.
Athens Independent School District Cyber Attack
The Athens Independent School District in East Texas suffered a cyberattack that blocked communications for teachers. It also affected students’ ability to complete assignments. This demonstrates that school districts are vulnerable targets as well.
Why Small Businesses Get Hacked
Small businesses are prime targets of cyber threats. If you run a small business in East Texas, understanding why small businesses get hacked is important in protecting your company. Here are reasons why:
Limited Security Resources
Large companies can spend millions on cybersecurity. They hire experts and deploy advanced cybersecurity tools. However, most small businesses allocate a meager budget for cybersecurity.
This little funding covers just the basics, leaving many cybersecurity vulnerabilities unaddressed. Without dedicated IT staff or comprehensive policies, small businesses remain easy prey.
High Success Rates for Hackers
Because small businesses lack strong defenses, hackers enjoy a higher success rate when targeting them. Many operate without formal cybersecurity policies or regular employee training on cyber threats like phishing, making hacking attempts more likely to succeed.
Attack on Many Small Businesses Gains Cybercriminals More
Cybercriminals prefer using a volume approach. Instead of spending a lot of time trying to breach a large corporation with strong defenses, they launch widespread attacks against many small businesses. They know that even if they compromise only a fraction, they will make profits.
Emotional Decision-Making from Small Businesses Leads to Quick Payouts
When a ransomware attack hits a small business, owners often face a lot of pressure to resolve the situation fast. Many pay ransoms quickly to reduce downtime and operational disruptions.
Cybercriminals rely on this reaction. They know most small businesses may lack backup plans. This makes them more likely to give in to their demands.
The Cost of Ignoring Cybersecurity Evaluation in East Texas
Failing to conduct a cybersecurity evaluation in East Texas is a risky move for small businesses. Here’s why you can’t afford to overlook a proper cybersecurity assessment.
Financial Problems
Mastercard reports that small businesses can expect to pay $120,000 to $1.24M to respond to a cyber threat. This is enough to cripple your business operations.
Ransomware attacks can freeze your digital assets, stop business activity, and force you to pay hefty ransoms. If you don’t pay the ransom, recovery costs and lost sales can also be costly.
Reputational Damage
Your customers quickly lose trust if sensitive data is exposed or business operations are disrupted. As a local business in East Texas, you risk losing loyal clients. After the incident, you may never regain your reputation or full customer base.
Regulatory and Legal Consequences
Failing a cybersecurity evaluation in Texas leaves you vulnerable to lawsuits if customer or employee information is leaked. You may also have to pay state penalties or federal fines.
Cybersecurity for Small Businesses: Complete Evaluation for Your East Texas Company
Cybersecurity evaluation in East Texas protects your business. Here are steps you can take to keep your business safe from cyberattacks:
- Identify your assets: List all the devices, software, and data you use
- Assess vulnerabilities: Use self-assessment tools tailored for small businesses to find your cyber threat risk
- Focus on cyber threat protection: Start with the basics, such as multi-factor authentication and employee training
- Plan for recovery: Have a clear backup and disaster recovery plan in case you’re hacked
Ensure you hire cybersecurity professionals in East Texas to help you with risk assessments. This will make your small business confident in detecting and stopping data breaches.
Secure Your Business From Cyber Attacks
Cybersecurity for small businesses is about making your business a harder target. Unfortunately, cyber threats aren’t slowing down. Don’t let your business become another East Texas cyber breach example.
Ready to protect your business from attacks? Partner with TruePoint Systems to understand the unique cyberthreats facing your East Texas business. From risk assessments to comprehensive cybersecurity solutions, we help small businesses build enterprise-level protection.
Reach out to us today to upgrade your cybersecurity solutions.
