MarketBuilder Campaign of the Month: Cybersecurity Awareness

If you hadn’t already noticed, October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. This is not just a symbolic date on the calendar; it’s an opportunity for managed service providers (MSPs) to reach out to their SMB customers and remind them of the critical importance of implementing, maintaining, and managing robust cybersecurity measures.

Some SMBs may think they’re too small and insignificant to attract the attention cybercriminals, but in reality, they are prime targets. In fact, according to the 2021 Verizon Data Breach Intelligence Report, 46% of all cyber breaches impact businesses with fewer than 1,000 employees. So why not reach out to them to let them know why they need to take cybersecurity seriously, and why they require experienced IT partners to guide them through the escalating cyber threat landscape, and help them defend against ransomware attacks.

And we’ve got the perfect MarketBuilder campaign to help you do that.

If you’re not already familiar with MarketBuilder, it’s a resource that is included  as part of your N‑able product subscription and contains thousands of ready-made campaigns on hundreds of different themes that can help you target and bring in new customers. This month we’re focusing on the Cybersecurity Awareness campaign, which has a range of pre-built emails, landing pages, blogs, and social media posts that will help you explain to your customers: 

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If you’re already using MarketBuilder just sign in and go directly to the Cybersecurity Awareness campaign.

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1. Why their business is a target, no matter how small they are

Many SMBs mistakenly assume that their size grants them immunity from cyberattacks. They may think, « Why would anyone target us when there are bigger fish to fry? » However, this misconception couldn’t be further from the truth. Cybercriminals often target SMBs precisely because they tend to have less robust cybersecurity defenses compared to larger enterprises. Hackers see SMBs as low-hanging fruit, an easier and less protected path to valuable data and financial gain.

You need to highlight to your SMB customers that they are not invisible to cyber threats, and emphasize that their vulnerability lies in their underestimation of the risks. The potential consequences of a cyberattack, such as data breaches, financial losses, and reputational damage, can be devastating for SMBs, making it imperative to prioritize cybersecurity.

2. Why cybersecurity isn’t just about their data, but also about their customers, employees, brand, and profitability 

Cybersecurity extends far beyond safeguarding data; it’s about protecting every aspect of an SMB’s operations. You need to stress to your customers that cybersecurity measures are not just a technical concern but also affect their customers, employees, brand, and profitability.

• Customers: To SMBs a data breach can compromise the personal information of their customers. It’s also important to highlight the importance of trust in business relationships and how a breach can erode that trust, leading to customer attrition and damage to the brand’s reputation.
• Employees: Educate your clients about the potential risks posed by insider threats or human error. An employee clicking on a phishing email link can open the door to cyberattacks that could cripple the business.
• Brand: A cybersecurity incident can tarnish an SMB’s brand, making it difficult to recover and regain customer confidence. Share real-world examples of businesses that faced public relations nightmares after a cyber breach.
• Profitability: Cyberattacks can lead to direct financial losses through extortion, ransom payments, or business disruption. Indirect costs, such as legal fees, regulatory fines, and loss of intellectual property, can further strain an SMB’s financial health. 

3. Why they need an IT partner that is experienced in setting up and maintaining enterprise-grade cybersecurity tools and protocols

SMBs often lack the in-house expertise and resources to set up and maintain enterprise-grade cybersecurity tools and protocols. This is where an experienced IT partner like your MSP can make a significant difference. Here’s how:

• Expertise: Highlight your team’s expertise in cybersecurity, showcasing your ability to stay ahead of evolving threats and adapt to new technologies. Explain how this knowledge benefits your customers by ensuring their cybersecurity defenses are always up-to-date.
• Cost-Efficiency: Clarify how partnering with an MSP can be cost-effective for SMBs. Mention that outsourcing cybersecurity services eliminates the need to hire full-time experts and invest in expensive infrastructure.
• Proactive Monitoring: Describe how your MSP can provide continuous monitoring, threat detection, and rapid response capabilities, reducing the risk of security breaches.
• Compliance: Stress the importance of regulatory compliance, especially for businesses in highly regulated industries. Explain how your MSP can help SMBs navigate complex compliance requirements. 

4. How Cyberthreats are real and are only growing in number and severity

The threat landscape is constantly evolving, with cybercriminals becoming more sophisticated and relentless. Your SMB customers must understand that cyberattacks are not hypothetical scenarios but real and imminent threats.

• Increasing Frequency: Share statistics on the rising number of cyberattacks targeting SMBs. Highlight that attacks are no longer a matter of « if » but « when. »
• Advanced Tactics: Discuss the various tactics cybercriminals employ, such as phishing, ransomware, and social engineering. Emphasize the need for proactive measures to combat these threats.
• Evolving Threats: Explain how cyber threats continue to evolve, from traditional malware to zero-day vulnerabilities. Highlight that cybercriminals are always seeking new ways to bypass defenses.

5. Help protect them against ransomware

Ransomware attacks have become alarmingly common, and SMBs must take specific precautions to prevent falling victim to them.

• Education: Advise SMBs on the importance of employee training to recognize phishing attempts and suspicious emails, as these often serve as entry points for ransomware.
• Regular Backups: Stress the necessity of regular data backups and explain that offline backups are critical to recovery in case of an attack.
• Patch Management: Emphasize the importance of keeping software and systems up-to-date to close potential vulnerabilities that ransomware can exploit.
• Security Software: Recommend the use of robust antivirus and anti-malware solutions, along with advanced endpoint security tools.

Conclusion

As a dedicated MSP, your role extends beyond providing IT services; it’s about safeguarding your SMB customers against the growing tide of cyber threats. In this journey, our MSP marketing resource, MarketBuilder, can help you solidify your role as a trusted partner dedicated to the success and security of your SMB clients.

Tracy Trottier is marketing manager and heads up the MarketBuilder program at N‑able