Running a business means wearing a lot of hats, but “cybersecurity expert” doesn’t have to be one of them. That said, protecting your digital assets is more important than ever. Cyber threats are on the rise, and small businesses are being increasingly targeted because they often lack the robust security infrastructure of larger organizations.
The good news? You don’t need a technical background to take meaningful steps toward protecting your business. In this post, we’ll walk through four key areas that can dramatically improve your security posture—without overwhelming you, your team, or your wallet.
1. Lock Down Access with Strong Passwords and MFA
Your passwords are the front door to your business for hackers. Weak or reused passwords make it easy for a bad actor to break in. Use strong, unique passwords for every account and store them securely with a password manager like 1Password or Bitwarden. If you’re a Google Chrome user, take advantage of their password manager.
Next, turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever possible—especially for email, cloud storage, financial accounts, and admin-level access. MFA adds a critical second layer of security, and it’s one of the easiest ways to stop unauthorized access.
2. Limit Risk by Controlling Who Has Access to What
Not every employee needs access to every tool, file, or system. The principle of least privilege (PoLP) is a security concept that means users, applications, and systems should be given the minimum level of access or permissions necessary to perform their job or function, and no more. Applying PoLP reduces the risk of accidental changes, data leaks, or compromised accounts being used to access sensitive systems.
3. Protect Your Systems with Updates and Backups
Cybercriminals often exploit outdated software and apps. Make sure all your devices, plugins, apps, and systems are set to automatically update so you’re not left vulnerable to known exploits.
Just as important: back up your data regularly—and test your backups to ensure they actually work. A solid backup can save your business if you’re ever hit by ransomware, hardware failure, or accidental deletion.
4. Build Awareness Through Training and Phishing Prevention
Many cyberattacks begin with human error. A team member clicks a suspicious link, opens an infected attachment, enters credentials on a fake login page, or even through a malicious phone call. The solution? Train your employees to recognize phishing attempts and encourage a culture of security awareness. Even occasional reminders can go a long way. Tools like KnowBe4 or Gophish can be incredibly effective.
Have Questions? We’re Here to Help.
By focusing on these four core areas, you’ll be in a much stronger position than most small businesses. However, if you need a hand, don’t hesitate to reach out. We partner with the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to offer professional security audits of your website, DNS records, and digital systems. Many business owners are surprised by what we find—exposed admin panels, outdated DNS settings, and legacy access that no one remembers granting. Learn more about our website security offerings here.