How much does basic data security cost for a company?

BONUS: At the end of this article, we've made the infographic available for download: How much does basic data security cost for a company?

Statistics on cyber threats and attacks have left entrepreneurs and IT professionals stunned year after year. Cybercrime is on the rise, and hackers are becoming more creative and daring. Millions of companies worldwide are affected, with increasingly high costs.

A few years ago, the costs of maintaining basic and efficient data security were high and, in some cases, unaffordable. However, with the evolution of attacks and intrusions, developers and systems have adapted to the financial realities of companies, making protection systems more accessible.

This article will discuss the importance of companies allocating funds for data protection and the average costs of the most basic tools for keeping company information secure.

How much does it cost to implement a data security system in a company?

Of course, cybersecurity shouldn't be a concern exclusive to businesses. Anyone online is at risk. However, research from Kaspersky, one of the world's largest digital security companies, reveals that hackers primarily target businesses.

There are basic and indispensable actions and tools for almost every business sector that operates with offices, where devices and users are connected to the internet daily. Below, we will explore these essential practices.

Among the fundamental measures, the following stand out: the implementation of robust firewalls to protect the network against unauthorized access, the use of updated antivirus software to detect and eliminate threats, and the adoption of strict password policies, ensuring that employees use strong combinations and change them regularly. Furthermore, continuous employee education on cybersecurity best practices, such as recognizing phishing emails and the importance of not sharing sensitive information, is crucial to minimizing risks. Tools such as VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) are also recommended to protect data transmission, especially when employees work remotely.

1 – System update

Operating systems and software undergo continuous evolution and need to be kept up-to-date whenever possible. Furthermore, these updates often include improvements in system quality and performance.

Furthermore, there is the "originality" factor. Many companies today choose to use pirated tools to reduce costs. However, this option can lead to several problems, mainly regarding data security, since these are modified versions of the original, where security and authenticity verification features have been removed.

For operating systems, the logic is the same. Updated versions contain security improvements as well as new features, as new forms of intrusion and security vulnerabilities emerge.

Keeping company equipment and systems up-to-date is fundamental to ensuring efficient data security, especially considering its massive daily use. 

While it's difficult to determine all the software used by companies, operating systems are nearly universal. Therefore, I've listed the average prices of the most common operating systems in businesses.

• Microsoft Windows 10 Pro – R$ 1,099.00 for a lifetime license.
• MAC OS – Only available with the purchase of Apple equipment.
• Linux distribution version: Ubuntu – free.

Windows licenses can be cheaper if they are OEM licenses, purchased together with a device equipped with this operating system.

*Values ​​checked in August 2024.

2 – Antivirus and Antimalware

Antivirus and antimalware are perhaps some of the most obvious items in data security materials. Therefore, it is crucial to remember that protecting your systems against viruses and malware on any device is of utmost importance.

To list the tools, I followed some studies from independent international institutions such as AV-Test or AV-Comparatives , which use thousands of different malware samples and attest to the efficiency of the most diverse antivirus programs in protecting the system and cleaning an already infected system, in addition to other characteristics such as ease of use for the user and the impact of the antivirus on the speed of the equipment.

To choose the ideal antivirus to protect your equipment, you can consult studies from independent international institutions such as AV-Test or AV-Comparatives , which use thousands of different malware samples and attest to the efficiency of various antivirus programs in protecting the system and cleaning an already infected system. In addition, other characteristics such as ease of use for the user and the impact of the antivirus on the equipment's speed should be considered.

Below are listed two good software options that have received the AV-Test Top Product seal, along with their respective prices:

• Bitdefender – from R$49.00 per month for up to 3 devices.
• Kaspersky – from R$ 198.00 for 3 users for one year.

*Values ​​checked in August 2024.

3 – Backup

A backup is a security copy of data stored in a system, created to ensure that important information can be recovered in case of loss, corruption, or hardware failure. The backup process can be performed in various ways, such as through local storage, on external devices, or in cloud storage solutions. The frequency and automation of backups are essential to minimize the risk of losing recent data.

Having a functional and reliable backup system is crucial to ensure that data can be recovered in case of loss. In some types of attacks, such as ransomware , which locks data until a ransom is paid, the main way to solve the problem is to restore company data from a backup copy.

Backups are fundamental to the security of company information.

Thus, the tools differ in the number of features and the amount of daily data traffic they will back up, as well as whether they are physical or cloud-based. However, the most common systems for small and medium-sized businesses, and also those increasingly adopted by companies due to their greater security and acceptable cost, are cloud backup systems. Therefore, I have listed below the average prices of the most commonly used tools.

• Backblaze – Starting at US$9.00 per month.
• Dropbox – Starting at US$9.99 per month. box Drive – Starting at R$8.00 per month.

*Values ​​checked in August 2024.

4 – Firewall

A firewall is a security device that controls the flow of data on a network. It allows you to filter traffic, configuring what should pass through and what should be discarded.

Typically, a firewall is one of the main defenses at the perimeter of a private network, being an essential component in protecting against unwanted traffic and intrusion attempts.

There are several firewall tools on the market, some with additional features, further improving the company's data protection system.

Among the most common ones, with their respective values, are:

• pfSense Appliance Firewall – Starting at R$1,442.22 per unit.
• Lumiun Firewall – Starting at R$219.00 per month.

*Values ​​checked in August 2024.

5 – Employee training

Therefore, establishing behavioral guidelines for organizational members regarding the use of information technology resources is one of the most cost-effective ways to improve data security.

These rules, documented, signed, and agreed upon by users before they use company equipment, help prevent uninformed, unprepared, negligent, or even malicious employees from putting company data at risk, leaving it vulnerable to cybercriminals.

Furthermore, developing an information security policy within the company can reduce potential expenses and investments related to corrective measures resulting from cyberattacks.

Of course, it's difficult to be certain that keeping employees trained and expecting them to follow the rules and knowledge they've acquired will be effective. Distractions or lack of motivation can also damage the company's data security.

The upside is that training employees has a very low cost, or, depending on the expertise of the professional who will be delivering the training, the cost can be zero.

On our blog, we offer many free resources that can help entrepreneurs and IT professionals develop and train their employees.

6 – Internet access control

Controlling internet access is a common practice in companies and is becoming increasingly important and necessary. In other words, unlike information security policies, controlling access doesn't require the employee's good sense and willingness to prevent access to harmful and non-work-related websites.

In most security incidents or breaches, the entry point for attacks or virus installation is users who fail to identify potential risks and end up clicking on fraudulent emails or malicious links on the internet.

Therefore, implementing an internet access control system in the company can block the vast majority of entry points for hackers into the corporate network.

Among the solutions available on the market, some stand out for controlling internet access, with their respective prices varying according to the size of the company:

• DNS Filter – from US$0.90 per user per month, up to US$2.70 per user per month.
• LumiunDNS – starting at R$ 2.90 per user per month.
• NextDNS – from US$1.99 per month for up to 300,000 queries, up to US$19.90 per month with unlimited queries.

*Values ​​checked in August 2024.

7 – Business VPN

The acronym " VPN " stands for Virtual Private Network, a networking technology that uses the internet to connect a group of computers and maintain the security of the data that travels between them.

The main advantage for a company using VPN is undoubtedly the increased information security when there is a need to transfer confidential data between branches or for employees who work remotely and need to access data on the local network.

Among the main tools on the market, the following stand out, with their respective prices:

• NordVPN – from US$3.71 per month to US$11.95 per month.
• ExpressVPN – from US$8.32 per month to US$12.95 per month.
• Lumiun Box Business VPN – starting at R$ 2.49 per user per month.

*Values ​​checked in August 2024.

What tools does my company need?

Choosing the ideal tools for your company will depend on the systems it uses and the data that needs to be protected. Therefore, if your company has internal finance and human resources departments that handle financial transactions and manage employee data and contracts, it's crucial to keep operating systems updated and use antivirus software tailored to the company's specific needs.

For companies that offer credit and store customer data, it is essential to implement a robust backup system, ensuring the security of information in cases of data loss or theft.

If your team works remotely or accesses company systems remotely, using an encrypted VPN connection is essential to protect data against unauthorized access.

Furthermore, access control is a measure that applies to virtually all companies that have employees connected to the internet. Restricting access to websites outside the scope of work and potentially dangerous sites helps protect company data and can also increase team productivity.

These tools and actions are fundamental, but it's important for the IT professional or company manager to assess which points are most critical and which solutions best suit the company's needs and budget.

[Infographic] How much does basic data security cost in a company?

To help you decide which data security tools to use in your company, we've created an infographic that compiles the average costs of each solution and the main applications of each of the following solutions:

• Antivirus
• Backup
• Operating systems
• firewall
• Internet access control
• Business VPN

Conclusion

In conclusion, it's important to highlight that the hackers' greatest asset is the lack of knowledge and carelessness of users. They exploit security loopholes and identify vulnerabilities to illegally access company data and resources. 

Therefore, it is essential to invest in preventative solutions that stop both inexperienced users and those with malicious intent from compromising the company's security. 

I hope I've helped you identify which systems to implement in your company and realize that the investment in prevention tools is minimal when compared to the repair costs after a data loss.

Until next time!