10 Cybersecurity Mistakes Many Small Businesses Make (And How to Fix Them)
If you’re running a small business, cybersecurity probably isn’t the first thing on your mind. You’re juggling employees, customers, schedules, invoices — and that’s totally understandable.
The truth is, most cyber risks that small businesses face come down to a few simple but common mistakes. And no one teaches this stuff until it’s too late.
This post isn’t here to scare or shame — it’s here to help. These are some of the most frequent missteps I see, and how you can start fixing them right away, even without an IT department.
1. Using the Same Password for Everything
We’ve all done it — one password to rule them all. But if a hacker gets it once, they can get into everything.
Fix: Use a password manager (like Bitwarden or 1Password) to generate and store strong, unique passwords.
2. Not Enabling Two-Step Login (2FA)
Logging in with just a password is like locking your front door but leaving the key under the mat.
Fix: Turn on 2FA (also called MFA) on email, bank accounts, and anything business-related.
3. Clicking on Emails That “Look Legit”
Hackers send fake invoices, shipping updates, or urgent alerts that seem real. One click can cause a mess.
Fix: Pause before clicking. If something feels off, call the company directly or check from your own browser.
4. Thinking “I’m Too Small to Be a Target”
Hackers know small businesses often don’t have strong defenses. They see it as easy money.
Fix: Basic protections go a long way. Backups, strong passwords, and software updates make a big difference.
5. No Data Backups (or Only on the Same Computer)
If ransomware hits or your device crashes, everything can be gone in seconds.
Fix: Back up your files regularly to an external drive or cloud service not connected 24/7.
6. Letting Anyone Use the Business Wi-Fi
If a customer (or hacker) is on the same Wi-Fi as your payment system, bad things can happen.
Fix: Set up a separate guest Wi-Fi for customers, and use a secure password for your business network.
7. Not Updating Software or Systems
Updates aren’t just about new features — they fix security holes. Ignoring them leaves you wide open.
Fix: Turn on automatic updates for your computer, phone, and any apps you use for work.
8. No Plan for What to Do If Something Goes Wrong
Most businesses don’t know what to do after a cyber incident — which makes recovery harder.
Fix: Create a simple response plan: who to call, what to shut down, and how to notify affected people.
9. Not Training Your Employees (or Yourself)
It only takes one click by one person. If they’ve never been shown what to look for, how could they know?
Fix: Schedule a short team meeting to go over phishing emails, password safety, and what to report.
10. Not Asking for Help Until It’s Too Late
Many business owners assume cybersecurity help is expensive or unnecessary — until they’re dealing with a crisis.
Fix: Even simple advice can go a long way. You’re already taking the first step by reading this blog.
Bottom Line:
Cybersecurity isn’t about locking everything down — it’s about doing the basics well. And most of it doesn’t require special training or a big budget.
I’ll continue sharing simple steps, helpful tools, and real-world examples on this blog to help you protect your business, your customers, and your peace of mind.
Got a question or experience to share? I’d love to hear from you.