September 9, 2025

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 most could have been prevented with foundational safeguards.

That’s where cyber hygiene comes in — think of it as your business’s version of daily handwashing. It’s not flashy, but it’s essential. Skipping the basics is like skipping seatbelts: you might get away with it for a while, but eventually, it will cost you.

4 Cyber Hygiene Essentials Every Small Business Needs

1. Keep your network secure
Encrypt sensitive data, enable firewalls, and secure your Wi-Fi with hidden SSIDs and strong passwords. Remote workers should always connect via a VPN to keep data traffic safe from prying eyes.

2. Train your team to stay protected
Most breaches come from human error. Train employees on MFA (multifactor authentication), strong passwords, phishing awareness, and safe data handling. A well-trained team is your best first line of defense.

3. Back up your important data
Crashes, breaches, and ransomware happen. Regularly back up files such as financial records, HR data, and client databases. Use automatic cloud backups or secure offsite servers, so your operations can continue even during an incident.

4. Limit data access
Not everyone needs access to everything. Assign permissions by role and restrict admin privileges to only trusted staff. Always remove system access for former employees immediately to reduce unnecessary risk.

Security Is Worth the Effort

Yes, all this takes planning. But the cost of prevention is far lower than the cost of a breach. Cyber hygiene is your best investment in business continuity and peace of mind.

Ready 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 plan to strengthen your cyber hygiene — fast.

📞 Call us at 210-899-4019 or contact us here to schedule your assessment.