Page 137 - Cyber Defense eMagazine January 2023

“The Impact of Mobile Threats on SMBs: 10 Simple Ways

to Empower Your Company.”

By Wendy Taccetta, SVP, Small and Medium Business for Verizon Business

The shift in our hybrid and remote working world and the increase in mobile device use allow for a
bigger attack surface — with more locations and devices expanding vulnerabilities. No matter what
type of business you are—whether a city-wide pizzeria chain to the local hair & nail salon and
spa—you must be prepared today to address cybersecurity issues from every perspective. Mobile
devices provide an entry point for a wide range of attacks, with bad actors increasingly finding
innovative ways to exploit and manipulate users and information — potentially exposing data and
disrupting operations.

According to the 2022 Verizon Mobile Security Index (MSI), extensive mobile use and the increase
in mobile and IoT devices resulted in a 22% increase in data or system downtime. Additionally,
52% of respondents said they have sacrificed the security of mobile devices to “get the job done.”
In retail, almost nine out of 10 businesses are concerned that a mobile security breach could have
a lasting impact on their brand or customer loyalty and 41% of respondents said mobile presents
a daunting security challenge.

Cyber Defense eMagazine – January 2023 Edition 137
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