September 08, 2025
Protecting your business from cyberattacks starts with mastering the fundamentals. According to IBM's 2023 Cost Of A Data Breach Report, a staggering 82% of data breaches involve information stored in the cloud, yet most incidents are preventable with basic security measures.
Enter "cyber hygiene": the essential daily practices that keep your business safe, much like regular handwashing keeps you healthy. It may not sound glamorous, but ignoring it invites risk.
Here are four fundamental cyber hygiene practices every small business must master:
1. Secure your network thoroughly.
Protect your internet connection by encrypting all sensitive business data and deploying a robust firewall. Keep your WiFi hidden and secure by disabling SSID broadcasting and setting a strong password on your router. Ensure remote workers connect through a virtual private network (VPN) to safeguard data from external access.
2. Equip your team with essential security training.
Implement clear security policies covering strong password protocols, multifactor authentication (MFA), acceptable internet usage, and proper data handling procedures. Train your staff to recognize phishing emails and avoid installing suspicious software to reduce human error vulnerabilities.
3. Regularly back up your critical data.
In case of breaches, hardware failures, or ransomware attacks, consistent backups ensure your business operations can continue with minimal disruption. Automate backup processes for key files like documents, spreadsheets, financial records, and databases, storing copies securely offsite or in the cloud.
4. Control access to sensitive information.
Minimize risk by restricting access to critical data only to employees who need it for their roles. Avoid granting any single person full access to all systems. Limit administrative rights to trusted IT personnel and remove access for departing employees promptly during offboarding.
Investing in Security Pays Off
Though these security steps might seem cumbersome, the cost of prevention is far lower than the consequences of a data breach or ransomware attack disrupting your business. Taking action now safeguards your company's future.
Ready to Strengthen Your Defenses?
If you're unsure about your business's cyber readiness, now is the perfect time for a thorough check. Our free Discovery Call uncovers hidden risks, pinpoints weak spots, and provides a clear roadmap to enhance your cyber hygiene quickly. Click here or give us a call at 336-310-0277 to schedule your Discovery Call now.
