You’re running a small business, so of course you’re not worried about cybersecurity. That is, until you get hacked. It happens to even the smallest of enterprises, and it’s because of this kind of thinking. You’re sure it’s a long-term, expensive endeavor. But the reality is that you can take a few small steps today to protect all your hard work and your customer data from cyberattackers. So many of the vulnerabilities you’re facing every day are incredibly basic. Fortunately, so are the solutions. Here’s how you can quickly boost your cybersecurity:
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Strengthen Passwords
Far too many employees, including admins, are still using passwords like 123456$ or Admin1975*. These weak passwords are super easy to hack through brute force. Before you know it, your accounts are compromised. It’s that easy: if one person’s account in your system is hacked, your entire system is at risk. Your customer’s data can be leaked, your banking credentials can be snatched, and your sensitive communication can be revealed. What’s more, many of those employees are using the same password across platforms.
Solution: Use a password manager and have everyone update all passwords to strong, unique combinations today. You can use tools like Bitwarden or 1Password to make it easy to store and share your credentials. It will take you 30 mins and a small investment to replace all your weak or reused passwords with randomized ones. Make sure they include a mix of letters, numbers, and special characters that are meaningless to anyone trying to hack in. This step alone can make a huge difference.
Update Software
You put it off until later because you think it can’t be that big of a deal. You click “Remind Me Later,” and you really mean it. But you forget to do your software updates because they seem so inconvenient. You’re in the middle of your workday, after all. But those updates often include essential patches for newly discovered vulnerabilities in your system. And cybercriminals are on the lookout for outdated systems just like yours to exploit.
Solution: Schedule a software update session for all of your company’s devices. In a single afternoon, you can make sure every single computer, smartphone, and tablet has the latest operating system, browser, antivirus, and application updates installed. While you’re at it, don’t forget your routers, printers, and point-of-sales systems. These often get overlooked. Moving forward, enable automatic updates, so you won’t have to think about it… and put it off.
Ensure Employees Are Keeping the Door Closed
Most of the time, you won’t get hacked because of a brute-force attack. Instead, your system is compromised because one of your team members clicked on a bad link. Maybe they downloaded an infected file. It’s not their fault. Phishing emails are more sophisticated today, and even the most well-meaning team members can get tricked. They hand over their credentials or install malware without even realizing it.
Solution: Hold a 15-minute cybersecurity awareness session with your team. Make sure you have strong policies about not downloading unapproved files or visiting unapproved websites. You can also install a website blocker to give your employees yet another boundary to respect. Then, remind everyone to verify links, avoid communicating with unknown or untrustworthy sources, and report all suspicious activity.
Secure Your Network
How’s your Wi-Fi? Many small businesses start out on a network and just keep using it. Months or years later, it may have default credentials, outdated encryption protocols, or shared access between your employees and your customers. What’s worse: your remote employees could be logging in from cafes, the library, or via their personal devices. And they’ve got zero security, not even the most basic protections. All your sensitive data is at risk.
Solution: First, secure your business Wi-Fi by updating your router firmware. Then, change your network name (SSID), making sure to create a strong, unique password. Next, create separate networks for your team and your customers, so you avoid any crossover. Finally, make sure your remote workers all use a VPN (virtual private network). You can do all of this in less than an hour, and you just need basic networking skills.
Back Up Your Data
Ransomware is real. And it’s terrifying. Picture this: all of your client records, invoices, contracts, and employee information get encrypted by ransomware. The hacker holds your data hostage for a six-figure ransom. It happens quickly, and if you don’t have reliable backups for your system, it’s easy to do. Even a natural disaster or an employee accidentally deleting a file can cripple your entire operation if you don’t have a backup.
Solution: Start by setting up an automated, encrypted backup system. You can work with cloud-based services like Google Workspace or Microsoft OneDrive. These will offer you easy ways to back up your files daily, and you should back them up daily. In just a few hours, you can configure automatic backups, verify they work, and then schedule regular check-ins. Also, make sure your entire team uses two-factor authentication for added security.
In the end, cybersecurity seems intimidating, but it’s actually quite simple. You don’t need a big IT department or a six-month security audit. You just need to address basic vulnerabilities: weak passwords, outdated software, untrained employees, insecure networks, and missing backups. With just those steps, you can dramatically reduce your risk in just a few hours. Take the afternoon to check these items off your list, and your future self and your entire business will thank you.