Cybercriminals target small businesses, knowing they often lack the resources to protect critical data. To help you against these threats, we will explore the common hazards you need to be on the lookout for.
We will also share tested hacks to strengthen the cybersecurity for small businesses like yours without breaking the bank. By the end of your read, you will know how to secure your systems and safeguard your critical data from cyber threats.
Small Business Security: 3 Critical Threats To Watch Out For
Take note of how these threats can exploit weak points in your business and plan immediate fixes to protect your sensitive data using our hacks.
I. Ransomware
Ransomware is a type of malicious software that locks your vital data and demands payment to release it. Think of waking up to find all your business files encrypted and a message demanding you pay up—or lose everything.
This happens when hackers exploit weaknesses in your systems, like unsecured Wi-Fi or outdated software. A real-world example is the WannaCry attack, which hit thousands of businesses worldwide in 2017. It crippled companies by encrypting their vital data and demanding payment in Bitcoin.
II. Insider Threats
Insider threats occur when someone within your company, like an employee or contractor, compromises your business data, either intentionally or accidentally. This can mean sharing sensitive information with unauthorized individuals or mishandling credentials that prompt security breaches.
This happens when you do not control physical access to devices or systems. For example, an employee at a web design company might share client login details over email with someone they trust. If that person is an outsider with malicious intent, they can gain unauthorized access to websites or databases.
III. Phishing Attacks
Phishing attacks happen when hackers pose as trusted sources to trick people into sharing sensitive information. They often send fake or phishing emails that look legitimate but are designed to steal passwords, credit card details, or other valuable data.
For example, a small business owner might receive an email that looks like it is from their bank, asking them to “verify” account details. Clicking the link leads to a fake website, which causes a data breach when login credentials are entered.
Cybersecurity Made Easy: 8 Hacks To Secure Your Small Business
Unlock the secrets of cybersecurity with Nucamp’s cutting-edge curriculum and highlight the action points in each hack and focus on how you can start applying them immediately to secure your small business from potential threats.
1. Teach Your Employees To Spot Cyber Threats Before They Strike
Your employees are often the first line of defense against cyber attacks. How?
Hackers target human errors—like clicking on phishing emails or using unsecured internet connections—as an easy way into your systems. Equip your team to recognize these threats to reduce vulnerabilities even the best tools cannot fully eliminate.
Think of it like training your team to spot a fire before it spreads, saving not just your employee devices but your entire business. Plus, helping your employees grow and hone their skills increases employee retention.
How To Do This Effectively
Enroll your employees in a cybersecurity course through IEMLabs. Let them learn the nitty gritty of cybersecurity threats from experts.
To make sure the course is effective, run simulated attacks. Test their readiness and review their responses to improve awareness. Send a phishing email disguised as a message from your HR team asking employees to verify their login details.
Track who clicks the link or shares information. Afterward, hold a quick review session to explain the red flags they missed, like suspicious sender addresses or generic greetings.
Use an employee satisfaction survey to understand how effective the course is and identify areas for improvement. Ask questions like:
- What specific topics or examples did you find most helpful?
- Did the course help you feel more confident about spotting cyber threats?
Analyze the results to address gaps, refine the training, and ensure it meets your team’s needs effectively.
Lastly, assign team members to monitor risks and train others. With this, you can keep cybersecurity a shared responsibility.
2. Schedule Regular Password Changes To Block Hackers From Exploiting Old Credentials
Hackers often exploit old credentials they stole through data breaches, phishing attacks, or weak security measures. So if your team does not update passwords regularly, you are leaving your corporate network and business computers wide open.
This hack is especially critical if your business has multiple employees sharing tools and accounts. Suppose your business thrives on multi-departmental collaboration, like this lead generation agency.
You might use third-party tools like CRM platforms, accessed by multiple team members from sales, marketing, and IT. If one shared password leaks, a hacker can gain access to client data or disrupt operations.
So schedule regular password changes to make sure that even if a password leaks, it becomes useless over time, which protects your company’s tools and sensitive information.
How To Do This Effectively
Use built-in features in your security systems to automatically prompt employees to update passwords every 60–90 days. Remind them too about password updates through email or team meetings and explain why it is critical to protect your corporate network.
You should also implement a password policy. To do this, define rules requiring strong passwords with a mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and special characters.
Make sure your staff uses a password manager like NordPass to make it easier for your team to update and store passwords. It can also alert you and your team if you have any vulnerable passwords.
3. Secure Your Cloud Environment To Block Unauthorized Access To Shared Folders
Shared folders in the cloud make teamwork easy, but they can also be a security nightmare if not managed properly.
Why? Because hackers often exploit poorly secured cloud setups to access sensitive data, like client contracts or internal files.
For small businesses like yours, where key personnel often juggle multiple roles, a single oversight exposes critical documents. Even worse, unauthorized access to shared folders can spread malware to all devices connected to your network.
How To Do This Effectively
Pick a private cloud storage provider (e.g. Google Cloud) with strong encryption and security features designed for businesses. To choose your ideal platform, research the ones that offer:
- Data backup options
- End-to-end encryption
- Multi-factor authentication
Look for reviews and recommendations specifically from small business users to make sure the solution meets your needs. Also, check if the provider complies with relevant data protection regulations for added peace of mind.
Install security apps too to monitor and protect your cloud environment from suspicious activity. Restrict access to shared folders so only key personnel can view or edit sensitive files, like this if you are using Google Cloud:
For example, let’s say you have a service-based company like this Chicago-based window-washing company. Restrict access to shared folders containing:
- Photos of client properties for pre-service assessments or records
- Residential service agreements outlining cleaning schedules and pricing
- Property-specific instructions like access codes, preferred cleaning solutions, or areas to avoid
Allow only your manager and billing staff to edit these files. This guarantees sensitive data stays secure and prevents unauthorized changes. Plus, this helps maintain your client’s trust, which is especially vital for a local business serving a smaller, more targeted audience.
Lastly, if you or any of your staff have to use a public Wi-Fi network, make sure they secure your connections to the cloud by using a virtual private network (VPN).
4. Create A Device Usage Policy To Prevent Data Leaks Through Personal Apps
Employees often access mobile devices for work, which means personal apps like messaging platforms or file-sharing tools. While personal apps can seem harmless, they can expose your company’s network to serious risks.
A single mistake —like uploading files to an unapproved app—can cause:
- Breaches
- Lost trust
- Legal trouble
But if you create a device usage policy, you set clear boundaries to keep personal apps from interfering with professional tasks.
How To Do This Effectively
List all apps and platforms employees can use for work and explicitly ban personal apps for business tasks. So if you run a student management system, make sure your admin staff or employees only use relevant apps like Google Drive for securely storing files and Zoom for meetings. Ban unapproved personal apps like Facebook Messenger for sharing sensitive information to prevent accidental leaks.
Set reporting procedures for security issues if employees suspect a data leak or device compromise. For example, create a simple process where they email your IT team or fill out a quick online form to report issues.
Another option is to continuously train your employees on safe app usage and highlight the risks of mixing personal and work activities. You should also track app usage on your company’s network to spot unauthorized tools and prevent potential leaks.
5. Use Secured Hosting Platforms To Prevent Malware Infections On Your Website
Malware infections can wreak havoc on your business if you rely on a hosting platform with weak security. Insecure platforms leave your website exposed to attacks through:
- Poor defenses
- Outdated software
- Unpatched servers
On the other hand, a secured platform lets you block malware and protect customer information. With this, you can make sure your website stays safe and your business reputation remains intact.
How To Do This Effectively
Pick a platform with cyber defense tools to detect and remove malware before it spreads. Make sure to check if they use SSL certificates and other methods to encrypt data and protect your website from hackers.
You should also confirm if they offer the following:
- Firewalls
- DDoS protection
- Automated backups
Choose a provider that regularly checks for risks and fixes vulnerabilities to keep your website secure. You can also ask experienced web developers or web design agencies for advice on trusted hosting platforms with proven reliability. Their expertise can help you pick the right platform for your business needs.
6. Test Links For Safety To Maintain Trust With Your Audience
Hackers often use compromised links to gain entry into systems, stealing other vital data in the process. So check every link on your website to make sure it leads to a legitimate, secure source since broken or malicious links can shatter customer trust.
Think of a user clicking a link on your blog, only to land on a sketchy website or trigger a malware warning. Not only can this expose visitors to risks, but it can also jeopardize your cybersecurity strategy.
How To Do This Effectively
Use a link checker to verify if a website’s link is reliable and safe for your audience. They can identify if the link has been flagged for being a link seller, which can help you check if the website is involved in spammy or black hat link-building practices that can harm your site’s reputation.
You also need to avoid using shortened links as they can hide the actual destination. For example, if you use a shortened link like bit.ly/2Xkfjq8, it can make users hesitate to click it because of fear it will direct them to a malicious site.
Compare that to an actual link like www.trustedtool.com/resources-guide, which clearly shows where it is taking users.
7. Use Custom Security Questions To Add A Personalized Layer Of Security
Custom security questions create an additional barrier that makes it harder for hackers to break into accounts, especially when combined with other measures like creating separate user accounts for your team.
Unlike generic questions (e.g., “What’s your mother’s maiden name?”), customized questions let you add unique, personalized details that only the user knows.
How To Do This Effectively
Skip questions with answers easily found on social media, like:
- What’s your favorite food?
- What’s your favorite color?
- What high school did you attend?
Then, create questions that are highly specific to the user’s experiences and difficult to guess or research. For example:
- What was the title of the first book you remember owning?
- What was the name of your favorite childhood game or activity?
- What’s a phrase or saying your grandparents used to say to you?
You also need to require security questions when setting up or accessing wireless access points to make sure no unauthorized changes happen. Lastly, change or review the security questions periodically to prevent their answers from becoming predictable over time.
8. Deactivate Accounts Immediately To Minimize Risks Of Insider Threats
Insider threats are not just about disgruntled employees intentionally causing harm. They can also stem from honest mistakes like someone forgetting to log out of a shared device or leaving an account active after switching roles.
What does this mean for you?
They can get unauthorized access to:
- Sensitive data
- Secure programs
- Systems with administrative privileges
This hack is especially important if you have a very niche local business like this tuckpointing service in Chicago. Insider threats can prompt leaks of:
- Pricing breakdowns for large-scale restoration projects
- Vendor agreements for sourcing specific materials like mortar or bricks
- Access to proprietary techniques or methods unique to your tuckpointing service
In a local market where competition is fierce, even a small data breach can cost you valuable clients and harm your reputation. So quick action is not just a precaution; it is a necessity to maintain control and protect your operations.
How To Do This Effectively
Use centralized account management tools like single sign-on (SSO) to manage all your accounts in one place, which makes it easier to revoke access. Platforms like Okta streamline this process, like this:
Set up alerts that notify your admin team when an employee leaves or changes roles. You should also audit account activity consistently to make sure your user access is up-to-date.
To make all this easier, add account deactivation to your employee offboarding process to ensure nothing slips through the cracks.
3 Barriers To Successful Cybersecurity For Small Businesses
Focus on how these barriers can impact your business and pinpoint the practical actions you need to take to enhance your cybersecurity strategy.
A. Tight Budgets Put Cybersecurity On The Back Burner
Tight budgets often push cybersecurity down the priority list, but ignoring it can cost you more in the long run. Hackers target small businesses knowing they lack resources, and one breach can mean losing:
- Critical data
- Customer trust
- Compliance with data protection regulations
- Operational downtime that disrupts your workflow
- Financial stability because of costly recovery efforts
Investing in antivirus software and basic security measures doesn’t have to break the bank, but skipping them puts your business at unnecessary risk.
Many businesses mistakenly view robust cybersecurity as unattainable due to budget constraints, notes Zayed Ahmed from ASL BPO. Strategic outsourcing can provide enterprise-level security at a fraction of the cost, making advanced protection accessible for smaller operations.
Here’s how to fix this:
- Use free tools like LastPass for basic cybersecurity needs.
- Bundle licenses for essential tools to save costs on multiple standalone subscriptions.
- Leverage free trials from premium cybersecurity tools to test features before committing financially.
- Leverage built-in operating system security features like Windows Defender or macOS Gatekeeper for basic protection.
- Identify vulnerabilities and address them gradually to avoid overwhelming costs.
B. Ignoring Regular Security Audits
Hackers evolve constantly, finding new ways to exploit outdated software, misconfigured systems, or unprotected access points. Ignoring audits is like leaving your doors unlocked without checking for gaps in your defenses.
Regular audits act as your first line of defense by identifying risks before they become costly problems.
Here’s how to fix this:
- Keep a record of findings to monitor progress over time.
- Bring in cybersecurity experts for a detailed assessment if needed.
- Include vendor systems in your audits to close any external vulnerabilities.
- Document critical areas to review, like firewalls, passwords, and employee access.
- Set a recurring schedule (e.g., quarterly) to make sure no area of your cybersecurity gets overlooked.
C. Relying On Public Wi-Fi
Public Wi-Fi might be convenient, but it is a major weak point in your cybersecurity plans. Hackers often target public networks, setting up fake hotspots or intercepting data as it moves across unencrypted connections.
So if your team accesses sensitive business data on public Wi-Fi, like emails, client files, or financial information, they risk exposing it to cybercriminals.
But if your team cannot avoid public Wi-Fi because of emergencies, like power outages, here’s how to fix this:
- Disable file sharing to prevent unauthorized access to your devices.
- Offer portable hotspots to employees for safer internet connections.
- Teach your team how to spot fake networks or avoid risky behavior online.
- Make sure devices have the latest security patches to reduce vulnerabilities on public Wi-Fi.
- Use a VPN to encrypt your team’s internet traffic and keep your data secure on public Wi-Fi.
Conclusion
Cybersecurity for small businesses can often be overlooked, but it is something you cannot afford to ignore. So review the hacks mentioned and prioritize what is most relevant to your operations.
You do not need to be overwhelmed because you can start small—train your team, secure your accounts, and update your tools. Then, assign responsibilities and create a clear plan to implement these hacks step by step.
To help you with this, build your team’s cybersecurity skills with IEMLabs. Our courses are designed to simplify complex cybersecurity concepts, making it easier for your team to spot risks and protect your business from hackers. Contact us now and let us build a knowledgeable team for you.
Author Bio:
Burkhard Berger is the founder of Novum™. He helps innovative B2B companies implement modern SEO strategies to scale their organic traffic to 1,000,000+ visitors per month. Curious about what your true traffic potential is?
