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As much as information technology (IT) has improved commerce and the business world, it also creates the potential for malicious damage. While computer networks enhance communication and data sharing and make business more productive, they also present an opportunity to access corporate information.

The threat from hackers and cyberattackers has never been greater, and no company is too small, or too large, to fall victim to this danger. Whether you own a small mom-and-pop shop, a major multinational corporation or a business that is somewhere in between, you cannot afford to leave the security of your firm, and the customer information you collect, to chance.

Ransomware is a form of malicious software which can infect files, hard drives and even websites. It uses encryption technology to scramble and lock the files, rendering them useless to the owner. A "ransom" is then demanded, usually payable in Bitcoins to an anonymous "wallet.

Cybercrime has exploded in recent years, and the scale of the problem continues to increase. Software companies and computer manufacturers are working hard to improve online security, but there is no end to the problem in sight. There are many misconceptions about hackers and their motivations.

If your business is still using the traditional break-fix model of IT, you may wonder whether it's truly worth it to keep putting money into servicing legacy equipment or technology. Managed services outsource your IT and allow you to buy into the latest technologies for less.

Modern businesses generate more data than ever before to such an extent that their digital assets are often even more valuable than their physical ones. With IT being critical to many modern business operations, it is imperative that your company has a solid data storage and backup strategy in place to safeguard you in the event of a disaster.

Symantec, a well-known cyber security company, partnered with National Cyber Security Alliance to investigate small businesses and how they are affected by cybercrime.  What they found was surprising: 83 percent of these companies have no specific plan in place to protect against cybercrime and 69 percent have no plan at all.

Many small businesses have migrated to the cloud, often with mixed results. In the past, the technology wasn't as reliable as it was now. Another weak point was that migrating and adjusting to the change took valuable time.

Microsoft made sure that won't be the case with Office 365.

Microsoft's primary focus is on making the software viable for small businesses.

Increasing numbers of businesses are installing security software to protect against hackers, but there is a form of cyber crime software can't prevent. Antivirus software and firewalls reduce the threat of malware and viruses, but they can't stop the most sophisticated cyber criminals.

You may have the latest firewall and virus protection, but if you are not aware of the latest forms of ransomware, your computer and network could be at risk. Ransomware is a type of malware that, once downloaded, encrypts your files and makes it impossible to access your own network.