Add to favorites Half are victims of a cyber attack.
A total 94% of small US businesses are concerned about cybersecurity, with half of them being a victim of a cyber attack, according to a new report.
The National Small Business Association’s (NSBA) 2013 Small Business Technology Survey reported a rise in small business adoption of technology platforms including cloud computing, smart phones, tablets and high-speed internet during the past three years.
About 60% of small-business owners are currently allowing employees to telecommute, compared to 44% three years ago.
NSBA president and CEO Todd McCracken said that small-business owners are handling more of their firm’s IT operations.
"This growing IT reliance makes issues such as cybersecurity, intellectual property protection and a functional online marketplace critically important in today’s global economy," McCracken said.
Small businesses were highly concerned about IT challenges including cost of required upgrades, security issues and the time it took to fix the issues.
According to the report, cyber attacks cost small businesses about $8,699 per attack, while the businesses hit had average losses of about $6,927.
NSBA Chair David Ickert said that another security concern for small firms revolves around intellectual property, with one in four survey respondents reporting that they own a patent.
"Unfortunately, among those impacted by the America Invents Act, the overwhelming majority say it has had a negative impact on their business," Ickert said.
