Businesses today face an array of cyber threats that can disrupt operations and compromise sensitive data. Among these are DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks which is when hackers use bot-networks to flood a website or network with traffic until it crashes, rendering the website, application, and service unable. Implementing a robust threat protection solution is critical to ensure business continuity and safeguard a business’s assets and operations.  

Here are four data-driven reasons why business continuity matters for your business.

 

1. Prevent & Minimize Downtime 

In business, each second counts. A robust threat protection solution is critical to detect and mitigate DDoS attacks in real-time, ensuring your services remain available even under attack. This is essential because unplanned downtime can lead to significant financial losses, potentially costing as much as $9,000 per minute1. Certain industries, such as finance and healthcare, face even greater risks due to downtime.  Ultimately, regardless of your industry, being prepared against all threats is vital to safeguard your business at all times. 

 

2. Protect Your Reputation 

A business’s reputation can be severely harmed by prolonged downtime and data breaches. In fact, research by PwC shows that 87% of customers will take their business elsewhere if they don’t trust a company to handle their data responsibly.2 With an effective threat protection solution, provide a reliable and secure service, ultimately fostering trust amongst your customers.  

 

3. Safeguard Data 

All businesses have a substantial amount of sensitive data, including customer records, intellectual property, employee information, financial information, and more. Data is now a form of digital currency which is why it is vital to safeguard it from Bots and bad actors. IBM reported that the global average cost of a data breach in 2023 was $4.45 million, an increase of 15% over the last 3 years.3 By protecting the confidentiality and integrity of your data, not only do you ensure uninterpreted business operations but also minimize the financial impact of a breach.  

 

4. Ensures Regulatory Compliance 

Regulation is increasing across all industries, especially around cyber security. These regulation efforts require robust continuity plans to protect consumers and businesses alike. Compliance not only avoids legal penalties but most importantly increases the overall resilience and preparedness of a business. IBM’s Cost of a Data Breach Report 2023 found that organizations with high levels of non-compliance faced an average data breach cost of $5.05 million which is 12.6% more than organizations with a robust compliance program.3 This highlights how robust compliance reduces the cost of disruptions and overall business continuity.  

Investing in a comprehensive security solution is not just a proactive measure – it’s a strategic imperative for business continuity. From minimizing downtime and protecting sensitive data to maintaining customer trust and complying with regulations – the impacts of business continuity are numerous. Learn more about how Threat Protection can help keep your assets secure and your business online by clicking below.  

 

Sources:  

1 Forbes, 2024, https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2024/04/10/the-true-cost-of-downtime-and-how-to-avoid-it/#:~:text=According%20to%20recent%20research%2C%20the,any%20potential%20fines%20or%20penalties.
2 PWC How Consumers See Cyber Security & Privacy Risks, 2017, https://www.pwc.com.au/digitalpulse/report-protect-me-consumers-cyber-security.html 
3 IBM Cost of a Data Breach Report, 2023, https://www.ibm.com/reports/data-breach