Cybersecurity is like a gym membership. Everyone signs up. Fewer people actually do the work.
Cybersecurity is a lot like going to the gym. The fundamentals aren’t flashy, but they are what keeps you healthy. The problem is that too many business leaders skip the basics, make excuses, and hope they’ll “get to it later.”
That is how hackers win.
Here is what strong cyber hygiene for small business looks like when you think of it as your company’s fitness plan.
- Lock the Doors = Warm Up Properly
You wouldn’t walk into a workout cold (unless you want to get hurt). Same thing with your network.
- Encrypt your business data.
- Hide your Wi-Fi so it’s not broadcasting like a neon sign.
- Password-protect your router.
- Require remote employees to use a VPN.
Skipping this is like trying to max out on squats without stretching first. Painful.
- Train Your Team = Learn Good Form
At the gym, bad form = injury. In cybersecurity, bad form = breaches.
Employees need ongoing cybersecurity training that covers:
- Strong passwords (and a password manager to keep them straight)
- Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
- Spotting phishing emails and shady downloads
- Handling sensitive data safely
- Backups = Spotter for Your Heavy Lifts
Nobody tries a personal record bench press without a spotter. Your business shouldn’t operate without backups.
- Back up documents, financial files, and databases automatically
- Store them in the cloud or off-site securely
- Test your backups regularly
If ransomware strikes, backups are what stop you from getting crushed.
- Access Controls = Don’t Skip Leg Day
You might not love it, but it’s essential.
Not everyone in your company needs access to everything. Limit permissions to reduce risk:
- Give employees access only to what they need
- Restrict admin privileges to IT and key leaders
- Immediately revoke access for former staff
It’s not exciting, but neither is leg day, and skipping it weakens your entire foundation.
Cybersecurity Isn’t a Quick Fix, It’s a Lifestyle
Like fitness, cybersecurity best practices aren’t about one big push. They’re about consistency. The businesses that stay secure are the ones that treat it as an ongoing practice, not a one-and-done project.
Ready for a Training Plan?
If your cyber hygiene has been more “New Year’s resolution” than “daily routine,” let’s change that.
Our FREE Cybersecurity Risk Assessment will:
- Identify where you’ve been skipping reps
- Spot hidden weaknesses in your defenses
- Build a plan to strengthen your security step by step
Call us at (973) 758-0500 ext. 1
Or click here to schedule online.