10 Common Cybersecurity Slip-Ups Small Businesses Make

Cyber-attacks can be complex, but most of the time, they succeed because of simple mistakes we overlook. Small and medium-sized businesses are not immune; in fact, they often become prime targets for cybercriminals because they are perceived as less defended.

Interestingly, it's not always about how much you spend on cybersecurity, but how wisely. Most times, it's our own errors that let attackers in. The silver lining here is that we can fix these errors relatively easily and protect our businesses better.

Are These Cybersecurity Oversights Happening at Your Business?

Let’s walk through some common errors small businesses make when it comes to digital safety. See if any of these resonate with what's happening in your own company.

1. Not Taking the Risk Seriously

Many small businesses don't think they're on the radar of cybercriminals, which is a dangerous oversight. In the digital world, no business is too small to be noticed by bad actors. Everyone needs to be on guard.

2. Forgetting to Educate Your Team

When was the last time you talked about cybersecurity with your team? Employees are often the first line of defense. Without proper training, they might not recognize a scam email or understand why a strong password is crucial. Regular training can make all the difference.

3. Choosing Simple Passwords

Simple passwords are an invitation to hackers. Encourage your team to create strong, unique passwords for each service they use, and introduce them to multi-factor authentication for an extra security layer.

4. Ignoring Updates

Keeping your software and systems updated is essential. Hackers love to exploit outdated technology. These updates often contain fixes for security flaws that could be exploited by cybercriminals.

5. Not Backing Up Data

Think about what would happen if you suddenly lost all your business data. Without backups, this could spell disaster. Make sure you have a system in place to back up your data regularly.

6. Operating Without Security Guidelines

Without clear security policies, your team may not know the best practices for handling sensitive information or what to do in case of a security breach. Make sure to develop and communicate clear policies on these topics.

7. Overlooking Mobile Security

With more work happening on mobile devices, securing them is critical. Consider mobile device management solutions to ensure that work phones and tablets are protected.

8. Not Monitoring Your Network

If you're not watching, you won't notice when something's amiss. Network monitoring is vital for catching suspicious activity quickly. If you can't do it in-house, outsourcing is a viable option.

9. Having No Plan for Emergencies

If a cyber incident occurs and you don't have a plan, you're already behind. Having an incident response plan means you're prepared to handle issues swiftly and effectively.

10. Believing Managed IT Services Are Out of Reach

Cybersecurity is a field that's always changing, and keeping up can be tough for small businesses. But managed IT services aren't just for the big players—they're accessible and can be tailored to fit smaller budgets.

Want to Learn More About Managed IT Services?

Protecting your business from cyber threats might be easier and more affordable than you think. Get in touch with us to explore how Managed IT Services can fit into your business plan without breaking the bank.