Small business owners juggle enough already—inventory, payroll, customer complaints, and somehow still trying to grow. But one thing often gets pushed to the bottom of the to-do list: cybersecurity. It seems technical, expensive, and like something for bigger companies to worry about. Until, of course, a ransomware email locks up your computer or customer data leaks. Suddenly, it becomes urgent.
You don’t need to be a tech wizard to protect your business. What you do need is a practical checklist, written in plain language, with steps you or your team can act on without calling in a full-time IT department. Here's exactly that.
1. Lock the Front Door—Use Strong Passwords
Every account—email, payroll, vendor portals, cloud storage—needs a unique password. “123456” or your dog’s name won't cut it. Use at least 12 characters, and mix in letters, numbers, and symbols.
Better yet? Start using a password manager. These tools generate and store strong passwords so you don’t have to remember them all. Options like Bitwarden, 1Password, or NordPass are beginner-friendly.
2. Turn On Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Whenever it’s offered, use 2FA. This means logging in with your password and a second code—usually sent to your phone or generated by an app.
Even if someone guesses your password, they can’t access the account without that second step.
3. Keep Devices and Software Updated
Those pop-ups asking you to update your apps or your laptop? Don’t keep snoozing them. Updates often fix security holes that hackers already know how to exploit.
Enable automatic updates where possible. That way, it’s one less thing on your list.
4. Back Up Business Data Regularly
If ransomware hits, you’ll want a clean backup ready to go.
Set up automatic backups to an external hard drive and/or a secure cloud storage service. Keep at least one copy offline. Test your backups once in a while to confirm they’re actually working.
5. Install and Maintain Antivirus Protection
Antivirus software catches many threats before they spread. Pick a reliable option and keep it updated. Many come bundled with extra tools like firewalls or email filters.
Don’t forget your phone and tablets. Mobile devices can be entry points too.
6. Train Employees—Even Part-Timers
Human error causes most breaches. Teach your team to spot phishing emails, avoid clicking unknown links, and report anything suspicious.
Run short security refreshers every few months. Doesn’t need to be fancy—five minutes during a team meeting works.
7. Control Who Has Access to What
Not every employee needs access to everything. Use the principle of least privilege—give people access only to what they need for their role.
Set up user accounts with different permission levels. Remove access promptly when someone leaves.
8. Secure Wi-Fi Networks
Change the default name and password of your business router. Use WPA3 encryption if available, or WPA2 at minimum.
Set up a guest network for customers or contractors so they’re not using the same Wi-Fi as your business devices.
9. Limit Use of Personal Devices for Work
If employees use personal laptops or phones for business tasks, make sure those devices meet your minimum security standards—strong passwords, antivirus, and regular updates.
Consider setting up a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy that outlines expectations and risks.
10. Have a Simple Incident Response Plan
If something goes wrong, who do you call? What accounts need to be shut down? How do you notify customers?
Write down a basic response checklist and share it with your team. Include:
Who to contact (IT support, law enforcement if needed)
Where backups are stored
How to reset access or passwords quickly
Bonus Tips:
Don’t trust public USB charging stations. Use a wall outlet instead.
Avoid downloading software from unverified websites.
Never reuse passwords across important business accounts.
Cybersecurity doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. A few consistent habits can block most common threats. You don’t need to do it all at once—start with passwords and backups, then build from there. It's not about perfection. It's about making your business harder to hit than the next target.
And in the cyber world, that’s usually enough to send attackers packing.