Skip to main content
Security

Cybersecurity Basics for Small Business: What Matters

Cut through the cybersecurity hype. Focus on the essential security practices that protect small businesses from the most common threats.

6 min read

πŸ”’ Practical Security for CEOs

Cut through the cybersecurity hype and focus on the essential practices that protect small businesses from the most common threats. This guide provides practical, actionable security advice for CEOs.

Why CEOs Must Care About Cybersecurity

The Business Impact Is Real

$4.45M
Average Cost of Data Breach
Globally per incident
60%
Small Businesses Close
Within 6 months of cyber attack
280 Days
Average Recovery Time
To identify and contain breach
Years
Reputation Damage
Customer trust takes years to rebuild

The Threat Landscape

🦠

Ransomware: The Biggest Immediate Threat

Malicious software that encrypts your data and demands payment for recovery. Paying doesn't guarantee data recovery and encourages more attacks.

🎣

Social Engineering: Attacking Your People

Manipulating employees to reveal information or take actions that compromise security. Your employees are both your greatest vulnerability and your best defense.

Essential Security Controls

πŸ‘€Identity and Access Management

βœ“ Multi-factor authentication everywhere
βœ“ Single sign-on (SSO) for centralized control
βœ“ Regular access reviews and deprovisioning
βœ“ Least-privilege access by default

πŸ›‘οΈData Protection

βœ“ Encrypt data at rest and in transit
βœ“ 3-2-1 backup rule (3 copies, 2 media, 1 offsite)
βœ“ Regular backup testing and restore drills
βœ“ Data classification and handling procedures

Security Culture

πŸ‘₯

Build a Security-Aware Culture

Technology alone won't protect you. Build a security-aware culture through regular training, clear policies, and leadership by example.

πŸ’‘πŸ” Cybersecurity Assessment

Get a comprehensive cybersecurity assessment tailored to your business size and industry.

Schedule Your Security Review
Cybersecurity Basics for Small Business: What Matters