If you're an independent business owner who isn't worried about hackers stealing your data, you probably aren't thinking about cybersecurity. This is understandable. It seems like these incidents are always in the news, but they are usually big companies or organizations that are targeted by "hackers" or malware distribution. But information security isn't only a concern for big companies.

Cyberattacks are on the rise, and they're targeting small businesses more than ever. Small businesses are an attractive target, because they typically process credit cards and have personal data that can be sold on the black market.

The best way to ensure your small business is protected from cyberattacks is with cybersecurity solutions . There are many different types of cybersecurity solutions available, but this article will focus on why you should use Sophos for cybersecurity.

Sophos is an industry-leading developer of IT security solutions, and their main products are anti-virus software. However, they also provide other types of protection like endpoint protection (for computers) and network protection (for networks). Although you probably use anti-virus on the computers in your small business, that's only one of the types of protection you should have.

For example, you should also be using firewalls to protect your small business from cyberattacks even if it isn't on your network. Firewalls are often overlooked by small businesses because IT administrators don't consider them important or difficult to set up and maintain.  But if your small business doesn't have a firewall, you may be exposing yourself to unnecessary risk.

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Sophos is a company that produces IT security solutions. They produce anti-virus software and endpoint and network protection.

The company was founded in 1989 by Jan Hruska and George Shanley and is currently headquartered in Abingdon, United Kingdom with offices worldwide.

As the market leader, Sophos is able to provide secure and reliable solutions to its customers with innovative features. Their products are available as on-premises or hosted powerful enterprise solutions that can be utilized as a service or as a solution on an appliance that avoids complex configuration of server hardware and operating systems.

With Sophos cybersecurity solutions, you're able to protect your business from malware, phishing attacks, ransomware attacks, botnets, and more.

2. Why you should use Sophos for cybersecurity

Cyberattacks on businesses are becoming more common, which means that cybersecurity is important to your small business. Although many businesses think they may not be at risk of attack, the truth is that cybercriminals do target smaller companies and can cause a lot of damage.

When it comes to protection, your best bet is Sophos because they provide multiple types of security so you don't have to worry about gaps in your protection. They offer anti-virus software for computers and firewalls, but they also offer endpoint and network protection so you can protect all the different ways cybercriminals might target your business.

3. How to get started with Sophos

The first step to getting started with Sophos is to find out what type of protection your small business needs. Chances are you may only need anti-virus software for the computers in your office, but you should also consider endpoint and network protection so you can have all the protection you need.

There are several ways to get started with Sophos for cybersecurity, including downloading the software on your devices, using a cloud based solution, or having it installed on an appliance. Whichever option works best for your small business will depend on what type of protection you decide to have installed.

4. The benefits of using Sophos for your small business

Sophos offers a variety of benefits to their customers, and these include:  

•         Customizable – Sophos allows you to customize an anti-virus solution that provides protection on computers and servers. The firewall protects against attacks as well as bots, spyware, viruses, and more.

•         Unified Management Console – You can manage all your Sophos security products through a single unified management console. This allows you to easily add, remove, and delete systems in your business.

•         Affordable – With their unique pricing model, Sophos is able to provide its customers with the latest technology and the most affordable pricing.

•         Integrated – Sophos offers a complete and integrated technology stack which allows you to protect your network and devices with one security solution across the entire IT infrastructure. This is very important because it ensures that all layers of protection are working correctly and giving you the best chance against cyberattacks.  

5. FAQs

- Where can you download Sophos?

Sophos offers their software for download on their website. They also have an app store, which makes it easier to find the right solution for your small business. There are downloads available for both Windows and Mac devices as well as apps for Android and iOS smartphones.  

- How much does it cost?

Sophos offers different pricing models, so you can choose the one that works best for your small business. You have the option of purchasing or leasing Sophos, which is up to you. Additionally, there are optional add-ons that you may want to consider purchasing in order to get better protection for your devices.

- Is it easy to update?

Yes, Sophos is automatically updated so you don't have to worry about staying current.  For example, if a new malware attack is detected , the update will happen automatically. You don't have to worry about missing any of the latest threats thanks to Sophos updating their software for you.

- How long does installation take?

Sophos offers self-installation and cloud based installation models, so it really depends on which type of security solution you choose to install. The self-installed option is very easy and can be completed in around 10 minutes, so you don't have to worry about waiting an extended period of time before you are protected.

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Cybersecurity has come to be a common problem for many businesses today. The loss of your data can lead to all types of problems for your company. Loss of customer information, financial losses, and damage to your reputation are just some that you may face. Fortunately there are ways that you can combat this growing problem! One way is by using Sophos security software. Here is a list of reasons why you should consider using Sophos for your company's cyber security needs:

1)     Single console protection

2)    Unlimited central management and reporting

3)    Improved endpoint, server, and mobile threat detection

4)    Malware removal tools included in the software to remove infections faster

5)    Ability to improve security posture by blocking unknown files

6)    Includes free training for your employees

7)    No increase in licensing costs

8)    Low total cost of ownership

9)    Anywhere, anytime mobile access including on-device protection without extra charges or apps

10)    Sophos Sandstorm blocks attacks at the network level

11)    Option to add a physical appliance for a per-seat price

12)    Proactively protect against ransomware with Sophos Intercept X

13)    Audits and reports on compliance policies with Sophos Central

14)    Education alerts in cloud version is included for free, but you can get education alerts on-premise

15)    Ability to get the latest threat intelligence from SophosLabs at no additional cost

16)    Works on a variety of devices and operating systems, including Mac, Android, iOS, Windows 10, 8.1 and 7

17)    Email spam filtering to keep your employees safe while they are working remotely

18)    Prevents data encryption by endpoint security software infected devices

19)    Ability to set granular policies for different types of files on your network

20)    Ability to stop attempts to steal data over the Internet, including via USB drives and shadow IT solutions that store data outside of company control

21)    Reduce legal liability by doing your best to safeguard sensitive information

22)    Ability for IT technicians to stop ransomware before it encrypts files

23)    Unlimited endpoint protection on-premise

24)    No risk of losing access to records after 30 days if you lose the security key

25)    The central console includes easy-to-use dashboards and simplified navigation to reduce the learning curve for new employees

26)    Option to add Sophos Secure Email Appliance (SEP) to protect your company's email in Microsoft Office 365, Exchange, Google Apps and other systems

27)    One-click deployment that simplifies the process of setting up endpoints with Sophos endpoint protection technology

28)    Ability to encrypt and secure files and folders on any storage device

29)    Ability to use Sophos endpoint protection for computers, laptops, servers, and Android and Apple iOS devices

30)    Sophos email encryption protects data at rest and in transit while providing a simple path for compliance with the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

31)    Maintained end-user privacy, unlike some competitors that provide customers' personal data to third parties without consent or clear notice of how it will be used

32)    Unified endpoint protection on your network which includes integrated antivirus, application control, web protection and network firewall technology

33)    Ability to reduce storage costs for backups, but you can still recover past versions of files

34)    Ability to encrypt emails and sensitive data stored in Microsoft Office 365 by using the Sophos cloud app as an add-on

35)    Option to integrate with Azure Active Directory for enhanced protection

36)    Ability to provide a consistent experience across all mobile devices, including Android and Apple iOS

37)    Free threat intelligence reports

38)    Global availability in more than 150 countries to give your employees local access to Sophos endpoint protection

39)    Supported by Sophos Central, which provides fast access to support technicians with live chat or ticket submission. You can also download product updates and configuration files, and manage other IT tasks that are not easily automated

40)    Protect against threats transmitted via removable media, including USB drives

41)    Ability to prevent devices from receiving updates if they do not meet compliance requirements for antivirus software

42)    Simplified user interface across all endpoint protection modules

43)    Option to integrate with Sophos Cloud to help protect against ransomware, including CryptoGuard for Ransomware

44)    Protect your entire network with unified endpoint management software that includes Windows, Mac OS X and Linux servers

45)    Provides multi-filter antispam capabilities to protect against phishing attacks

46)    Ability to use web application firewall technology to protect against web-based threats, including zero-day attacks

47)    Ability to protect several operating systems from malware and viruses, including Windows 10, Android 5.1, iOS 8.x and Mac OS X 10.9

48)    Ability to protect data in motion with encryption of traffic between email servers and clients

49)    Ability to inspect the full content of a communication for spam or unwanted applications, regardless of file type

50)    Option to use Microsoft Office 365 Secure Score to help assess your company's compliance with security best practices previously set by Microsoft for its own product suite

51)    Protection against ransomware that encrypts files on local devices when files are downloaded via an infected USB stick

52)    Capability to block unauthorized software downloads

53)    Ability to use Microsoft Office 365 Secure Score to help assess your company's compliance with security best practices previously set by Microsoft for its own product suite

54)    Support for cloud-based email archiving, which allows you to retain all email content even after users delete emails from their mailboxes

55)    The ability to scan cloud storage files for malicious threats

56)    Protection against the latest malware using SophosLabs threat intelligence system that offers up-to-date threat information and coverage of new exploits. This includes complete protection against ransomware without requiring signatures or updates, including CryptoGuard for Ransomware, which will protect your file servers and endpoints against the ransomware attacks.

57)       Ability to integrate with cloud storage platforms, including Microsoft Azure, Google Drive and Dropbox

58)    Detection of malicious URLs that download malware or unwanted applications on user devices

59)    Protection against spam that includes protection against phishing attacks

60)    Protection against social engineering attacks that exploit trust in order to trick users into downloading malware or unwanted applications on their devices

61)    A simple process for scanning files stored in the cloud for threats using Sophos Cloud for Storage (previously known as Sophos SafeGuard Storage), which allows you to centrally manage your file servers without requiring any changes to your existing infrastructure. The scan is performed by the Sophos Cloud app, which can be installed via a simple plug-in without requiring installation of the Sophos Endpoint Protection Manager agent

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