Security
Security Foundations Every Growing Business Needs
Essential security practices that protect your business without overwhelming your team. Practical guidance for building security into your operations.
8 min read
🔒 Security Foundations
Most security failures aren't sophisticated hacks—they're preventable mistakes. Growing businesses don't need expensive enterprise solutions; they need consistent security fundamentals.
Red Flags
👥
Shared admin accounts
No accountability or audit trail
💾
No off-site backups
Ransomware encrypts everything
⚠️
Unpatched systems for months
Open doors for known exploits
🔓
Overly broad access to production data
Insider threats and compliance nightmares
🎣
No phishing awareness at all
Employees are sitting ducks
Core Security Layers
1Identity & Access
SSO Implementation
Single sign-on for all critical systems
MFA Enforcement
Multi-factor authentication everywhere
2Endpoint Security
Managed Patching
Automated system updates
Monitored EDR
Endpoint detection & response
3Data Protection
Data Classification
Identify and label sensitive data
Role-Based Access
Restrict by job function
4Backup Strategy
3-2-1 Rule
3
Copies
2
Media Types
1
Off-site/Immutable
5Centralized Logging
Auth Logs
Who accessed what
Network Logs
Traffic patterns
Change Logs
System modifications
6Security Training
Quarterly Micro-Training
15-minute focused sessions
Phishing Tests
Simulated attack campaigns
Minimum Weekly Checklist
👤
Review new admin accounts
🔍
Scan for unpatched critical vulns
💾
Check backup success reports
🔐
Sample access rights for least privilege
Incident Response Basics
🚨
One-Page Incident Plan
📞 Who to call
Emergency contacts & escalation
🔒 How to isolate
Containment procedures
📋 Where logs live
Forensic data locations
📢 Customer notification
Communication templates
Practice: Run tabletop drills twice a year
Security Metrics
⏱️
Mean time to patch critical vulns
Target: < 48 hours
🔐
% of endpoints with MFA enforced
Target: 100%
🎣
Phishing simulation failure rate trend
Track quarterly improvement
✓
Backup restore test success
Monthly verification
When to Add More
As you grow: add formal risk register, vendor security reviews, zero trust network segmentation, and red team exercises.
🔒 Get Your Security Baseline
Want a quick baseline security review? We'll outline priorities that fit your stage and help you build a solid security foundation without overwhelming your team.