We are all aware that small businesses don’t start off with as much money as large coporate businesses and have a much smaller budget, so it is very understandable when small businesses decide not to invest in cybersecurity programs. However the cost of a cyber security attack is far more costly than the investment itself. For starters one cyber attack alone averages about $20,752 per attack, which can be very devestating to a small business. The extreme price you have to pay due to a cyber attack is not all that some can endure after falling victim to an attack. Some other things that can occur are, damage to information or information systems regulatory fines and penalties/ legal fees, decreased productivity, loss of information critical in running one’s business, an adverse reputation or loss of trust from customers, damage to one’s credit and inability to recieve loans from banks, or even loss of business income. These reasons are why even small businesses should protect their company and invest in cyber security programs. The cost can range depending on what programs you invest in. This is sometimes easier said than done, so when a small business invests in cyber protection, they do not necessarily have to throw their life savings into it. If I owned a small business I would start off small and graudally increase my protection. First I would can take extra precaution by identifying and controlling who has access to my business info. Then when it comes to hiring employees, I would run very thorough background checks, with this I would also limit employee access to data and information. I would then invenst in surge protectors, activate software and hardware firewalls on all business networks, use encrytption for sensitive business information, ad install anti-virus programs. Last but not least every business small or large should definitely develop some sort of plan, in the event a cyber security breach were to take place, just so that you can be a little prepared for what is next.