According to federal authorities small business are being attacked by cyber criminals more today because they lack the security of large companies who can afford to protect their customers.  It is difficult enough for small businesses to stay in business let alone keep their customers information private.

These attacks are targeted and specific by organized groups that plan ahead and scope businesses.  You may think that only credit card number are being stolen, but in reality they are stealing entire identities; social security numbers, addresses, full names etc.

Merritt, in testimony prepared for the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, said that as larger companies have taken on more sophisticated computer network protections, cyber criminals have adapted and gone after the smaller businesses who do not have such high-level security. Phil Reitinger, the deputy under secretary at the Department of Homeland Security said there are many simple steps that businesses can take to protect themselves. “Securing the entrances of one’s factory or store is second nature to any business owner and so cyber security protections must become,” he said in his testimony to the panel.

The sad part about all of this is that 75-90% of these attacks could be prevented by a cheap simple piece of hardware called a firewall the prevents outside access to sensitive information.  Firewalls don’t completely block thieves it is a deterrent.  These deterrents make thieves look else where and they go for other “low hanging fruit.”  The easier it is to steal to more likely of the attack/theft.

Lawmakers are working on cyber security legislation in several committees across Capitol Hill and are pressing for the administration to do more. “Security cannot be achieved by the government alone,” said Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman, I-Conn. and chairman of the homeland security panel. “Public-private partnership is essential. Together, business, government, law enforcement, and our foreign allies must partner to mitigate these attacks and bring these criminals to justice.”