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10 Essential Cybersecurity Controls Every Small Business Needs

Simple Steps to Protect Your Business from Cyber Threats

Digital shield protecting devices like laptops and mobile phones in a small business office, surrounded by security icons such as locks and firewalls, symbolizing cybersecurity measures for SMBs.
Running a small or medium-sized business is no small task—you’ve got customers to satisfy, services to perfect, and a team to manage. But, in a world where cyber threats are more common than ever, there’s one thing you can’t afford to overlook: your business’s cybersecurity. Don’t worry, though; with a few key steps, you can protect your operations and keep everything running smoothly.

Cybersecurity: An Essential Priority for Your Business

Running a small or medium-sized business is no small task—you’ve got customers to satisfy, services to perfect, and a team to manage.

But, in a world where cyber threats are more common than ever, there’s one thing you can’t afford to overlook: your business’s cybersecurity.

Don’t worry, though; with a few key steps, you can protect your operations and keep everything running smoothly.

Belowe are the top 10 cybersecurity controls every SMB should have in place:

Top 10 cybersecurity controls every SMB should have in place

Analogy of a business as a fire station, highlighting the importance of having a cybersecurity response plan. Emphasizes the need for key responders, a communication strategy, and backup systems to ensure quick and effective action during a cyber incident

1. Develop an Incident Response Plan:

Imagine if your business was a fire station—everyone would need to know what to do the moment an alarm goes off. The same applies to cybersecurity! Having a plan in place means your team knows how to respond quickly and effectively when a cyber incident happens. Identify your key responders, prepare a communication strategy, and ensure backup systems are ready to roll.

Think of backups as your business’s “undo button.” Regularly saving and encrypting data means that if it gets lost, stolen, or corrupted, you can recover it. Make it a habit to test those backups too—no one likes a surprise when things go wrong. With encrypted data, even if attackers get their hands on it, it’s like handing them a puzzle without the key!

2. Backup and Encrypt Data:

Think of backups as your business’s “undo button.” Regularly saving and encrypting data means that if it gets lost, stolen, or corrupted, you can recover it. Make it a habit to test those backups too—no one likes a surprise when things go wrong. With encrypted data, even if attackers get their hands on it, it’s like handing them a puzzle without the key!

Business compared to a castle, with anti-malware software as a knight in shining armor protecting against cyber threats like viruses and spyware. Emphasizes the importance of keeping the software updated for optimal protection.

3. Install Anti-Malware Software:

Your business is like a castle, and anti-malware software is your knight in shining armor. It blocks viruses, spyware, and all sorts of nasty cyber threats. Make sure you keep it updated so your knight has the latest and greatest armor, ready to fend off even the most recent threats.

Analogy of 'too many cooks spoil the broth' applied to cybersecurity, stressing the importance of limiting high-level access. Highlights the principle of least privilege (PoLP) to protect sensitive information and minimize risk if an account is compromised.

4. Manage User Privileges Carefully:

Ever heard the saying, “too many cooks spoil the broth”? Well, too many users with high-level access spoil your security. Limit access to sensitive information only to those who need it. By applying the principle of least privilege (PoLP), you ensure that if one user’s account gets compromised, it doesn’t spell disaster for the entire business.

Business compared to a VIP-only club requiring a password and a secret code, illustrating multi-factor authentication (MFA) as an extra security layer. Emphasizes the importance of using MFA for key accounts like email and admin portals to block cybercriminals, even if they obtain a password.

5. Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA):

Imagine your business has a VIP-only club, and the only way to get in is with a password and a secret code sent to your phone. That’s MFA—an extra security layer that keeps cybercriminals out, even if they’ve managed to crack your password. For key accounts like email and admin portals, MFA is a must!

Modern mobile work environment with employees accessing systems remotely. Stresses the importance of securing mobile devices with strong passwords, encryption, and remote wipe capabilities, likening it to a digital passport for safety and security anywhere

6. Secure Mobile Devices and Remote Work:

Today’s work environment is mobile, and your employees are accessing systems from all over. Make sure every mobile device is as secure as your in-office systems. Enforce strong passwords, enable encryption, and use remote wipe capabilities for lost or stolen devices. It’s like ensuring your team has a digital passport that keeps them safe wherever they are.

Segment and Secure Networks

7. Segment and Secure Networks:

Think of your network like a medieval fortress. You wouldn’t put all your treasures in one room, right? Network segmentation is your moat and drawbridge—it separates valuable information into different “zones,” so if one gets compromised, the damage is contained. Add firewalls and VPNs to keep your data safe while it’s traveling around.

Default software and hardware settings likened to an unlocked door, emphasizing the need to customize and secure configurations. Highlights actions like turning off unnecessary services, changing default passwords, and applying patches to protect systems from cybercriminals.

8. Implement Secure Configurations:

The default settings on software and hardware are like an unlocked door. By customizing and securing these configurations, you close the doors and lock them tight. Turn off unnecessary services, change default passwords, and regularly apply patches. It’s all about making sure your systems aren’t “open for business” to cybercriminals!

Monitoring and logging events compared to security cameras watching over digital spaces, emphasizing early detection of suspicious activity. Highlights the importance of using monitoring tools and securely storing logs to prevent potential crises.

9. Monitor and Log Security Events:

Picture having security cameras watching over your digital space—monitoring and logging events is just like that. Keeping logs and using monitoring tools helps detect suspicious behavior early so you can act before it turns into a full-blown crisis. Don’t forget to store these logs securely!

Emphasizing the role of employees as the strongest defense in cybersecurity, highlighting the importance of training them to recognize threats like phishing emails and suspicious links. Describes how regular training sessions empower employees to become cybersecurity champions, safeguarding the business without needing a superhero cape.

10. Train Your Team:

Even with all the tech in place, your best defense is your people. Make sure your team knows what to look for—like phishing emails and sketchy links. Regular training sessions turn your employees into cybersecurity champions, ready to spot threats and protect your business. No superhero cape required!

Ready to Boost Your Cybersecurity?

Complete Your Cybersecurity Toolkit: Protect Your Business Now

Putting these 10 controls in place doesn’t have to be complicated. Think of them as your business’s security toolkit—designed to protect everything you’ve built. By taking these proactive steps, you’re not just securing your systems; you’re ensuring your business’s future success.

🚀 Want to see how secure your business really is? Take our Cyber Risk Profile Quiz and find out how you can strengthen your defenses even more. Let’s stay safe out there, together!

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Illustration of a business security toolkit, featuring essential cybersecurity tools like firewalls, antivirus software, multi-factor authentication, and data encryption. Represents a comprehensive set of resources designed to protect business systems, networks, and sensitive information from cyber threats.