When it comes to protecting your business from cyberthreats, the basics still matter. A lot.
According to IBM’s 2023 Cost Of A Data Breach Report, 82% of breaches involved data stored in the cloud—and the vast majority could’ve been prevented with simple, foundational safeguards.
That’s where “cyber hygiene” comes in: your business’s version of daily handwashing. No, it’s not flashy. But it is essential. And if you’re skipping the basics, you’re asking for trouble.
Here are four cyber hygiene essentials every small business should have on lock:
1. Keep Your Network Secure
Your internet connection is the front door to your business—and it needs more than a flimsy lock.
- Encrypt sensitive business data.
- Use a firewall to monitor and block suspicious activity.
- Hide your WiFi network by disabling SSID broadcasting and ensure your router is password-protected.
- Require remote employees to connect via a VPN (virtual private network) for secure access.
Think of it as the difference between leaving your house key under the mat—or securing it in a lockbox.
2. Teach Your Team How To Stay Protected
Technology is only as strong as the people using it. Human error is one of the most common causes of breaches.
- Require strong passwords and multifactor authentication (MFA).
- Provide clear policies on appropriate internet use and handling sensitive data.
- Train employees to spot phishing emails, malicious attachments, and sketchy downloads.
A single click on a malicious link can open the floodgates. Education is your best defense.
3. Back Up Your Important Data
When—not if—a breach, crash, or ransomware attack occurs, backups keep your business alive.
- Regularly back up documents, HR and financial files, databases, and mission-critical spreadsheets.
- Automate backups whenever possible.
- Store copies in the cloud or on secure offsite servers for redundancy.
Backups aren’t just insurance—they’re a lifeline.
4. Limit Data Access
The fewer people with keys, the harder it is for intruders to get in.
- Give employees access only to the data they need for their roles.
- Restrict admin privileges to trusted IT staff and select leaders.
- Ensure former employees are immediately removed from all systems during offboarding.
Even in the event of a breach, limiting access helps contain the damage.
Security Is Well Worth The Hassle
Yes, putting these safeguards in place takes effort. But the alternative? Critical data stolen, operations halted, and trust with customers shattered.
Investing in cyber hygiene up front is far less costly—in time, money, and reputation—than cleaning up after a preventable breach.
Want To Get Ahead Of The Threats?
If you’re not sure how your business stacks up, now’s the time to find out.
👉 Our free Cybersecurity Risk Assessment will uncover hidden vulnerabilities, identify gaps in your defenses, and give you a clear, actionable plan to strengthen your cyber hygiene—fast.