The Small Business Cybersecurity Starter Kit
5 fundamental steps every Lexington business must take to protect themselves from 99% of common cyber threats.
As a small business owner, you wear many hats. "Cybersecurity expert" probably isn't one of them, yet a single data breach could be devastating. The good news is that you don't need a fortress to be secure. This starter kit is designed for busy entrepreneurs. It cuts through the jargon and gives you five actionable steps you can implement today to build a strong security foundation and protect your customers, your data, and your reputation.
1. Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Everywhere.If you do only one thing on this list, make it this one. MFA requires a second form of verification (like a code on your phone) in addition to your password. It is the single most effective way to prevent unauthorized account access.
Action: Enable MFA on your email (Microsoft 365 / Google Workspace), banking portals, and all critical cloud applications.
2. Use a Business-Grade Password Manager.Stop using sticky notes or reusing weak passwords. A password manager creates, stores, and fills in complex, unique passwords for every site.
Action: Sign up for a secure password manager. Create a strong master password to protect your vault, and let the software handle the rest. This is a core part of our Standard Employee package.
3. Back Up Your Critical Data (The 3-2-1 Rule).Imagine losing all your client files, financial records, and emails tomorrow. A solid backup strategy is your ultimate safety net.
Action: Follow the 3-2-1 rule: Keep 3 copies of your data on 2 different types of media (e.g., a local drive and the cloud), with 1 copy stored offsite (the cloud). Our plans include secure, automated cloud backup so you never have to think about it.
4. Train Your Team to Spot Phishing Scams.Your employees are your first line of defense, but they can also be your biggest vulnerability. Phishing emails that trick users into clicking malicious links are the #1 cause of data breaches.
Action: Implement regular cybersecurity awareness training and simulated phishing campaigns. This trains your staff to recognize and report suspicious emails before they can do damage.
5. Keep Your Software and Systems Updated.Cybercriminals exploit known vulnerabilities in outdated software. Regular updates (patching) close these security holes.
Action: Enable automatic updates for your Windows or macOS operating systems and your web browsers. We handle this automatically for all clients on our Workstation Plans.
Ready to Make Security Simple?
This starter kit is a powerful first step. A dedicated IT partner puts your cybersecurity on autopilot, giving you the peace of mind to focus on your business.