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The recent cyberattacks targeting municipal water systems across the Midwest made national headlines, but for Adam Preusler, IT Manager at Kustura Technologies, the incidents reinforce something he’s been telling clients for years.
“The companies that recover the fastest aren’t necessarily the ones that never experience an attack,” says Preusler. “They’re the ones that prepared before it happened. Good cybersecurity is really good business continuity.”
That preparation proved invaluable in late July, when more than 30 municipal water systems in Minnesota were targeted in a coordinated cyberattack. The attacks disrupted computerized controls used to monitor and manage water treatment operations, forcing some utilities to temporarily switch from automated systems to manual operations. While service continued and officials confirmed that drinking water remained safe, the incidents prompted investigations by the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) into what officials believe may have been a coordinated campaign targeting critical infrastructure.
The attacks served as an important reminder of how dependent modern organizations have become on connected technology. While few small businesses operate industrial control systems like those used by public utilities, nearly every organization relies on cloud applications, remote access, online payment systems, email and connected devices to keep daily operations running. When those systems are disrupted, the result can be costly downtime, lost productivity and damaged customer trust.
For small businesses across Jacksonville and Northeast Florida, the lesson is this: the same cybercriminals who probe large organizations for vulnerabilities are also looking for easier opportunities. Smaller businesses often have fewer security resources, making them attractive targets for ransomware, phishing campaigns and credential theft.
Small Businesses Are Often the Easier Target
Most cyberattacks against small businesses are far more practical than sophisticated nation-state operations.
“Cybercriminals usually aren’t choosing victims based on company size,” Preusler says. “They’re looking for weaknesses. An unpatched computer, a stolen password or one employee clicking the wrong email can be all it takes.”
Many attacks are automated, scanning thousands of businesses at a time for common vulnerabilities. A company doesn’t have to be well known or particularly large to end up on the list.
For many organizations, a cyberattack doesn’t just threaten data. It can halt operations, interrupt customer service, delay payroll, lock employees out of critical systems or expose sensitive financial information. Even a few hours of downtime can have significant financial consequences.
Five Questions Every Business Should Ask
The recent attacks offer a timely reminder to review your own cybersecurity posture.
Ask yourself:
- Are all employees using multifactor authentication?
- Are critical systems and software updated regularly?
- Are backups tested and stored separately from the primary network?
- Could employees recognize a phishing email designed to steal credentials?
- If your systems were unavailable tomorrow, do you have a documented recovery plan?
If any of these questions produce uncertainty, now is the time to address them before an incident forces you to.
For many small businesses, keeping up with software updates, monitoring for suspicious activity and developing an incident response plan can feel overwhelming. Partnering with an experienced IT provider can help ensure these safeguards are in place before they’re needed.
Cybersecurity Is About Business Continuity
One of the most encouraging aspects of the recent utility attacks was the fact that many communities continued operating because they had backup procedures and trained personnel who could switch to manual operations. Their preparation prevented a cyber incident from becoming a public safety crisis.
Businesses can apply the same mindset: Cybersecurity is about reducing risk, minimizing downtime and having a plan that allows your business to keep serving customers if something unexpected happens.
Technology continues to evolve, and so do cyber threats. The organizations that fare best are the ones that take a proactive approach, strengthen their defenses over time and prepare for the unexpected.
Protect Your Business Before the Next Threat Emerges
The recent attacks on municipal water systems are a reminder that cybersecurity is a concern for every business that relies on technology, from local retailers and medical practices to manufacturers and professional service firms.
Whether you’re looking to strengthen your existing security or build a more resilient IT environment, Kustura Technologies helps businesses throughout Jacksonville, Gainesville and across Florida protect their systems with:
- Managed IT services and proactive system monitoring
- Cybersecurity assessments and risk management
- Multifactor authentication (MFA) implementation
- Endpoint detection and response (EDR)
- Firewall management and network security
- Microsoft 365 security and email protection
- Secure cloud solutions and data backup
- Disaster recovery and business continuity planning
- Employee cybersecurity awareness training
- Local IT support from a trusted technology partner in Jacksonville and Gainesville
Cyber threats continue to evolve, but with the right strategy and support, your business can stay one step ahead.
To learn more about Kustura Technologies’ cybersecurity and managed IT services, visit www.kustura.com or email info@kustura.com.
