10 IT Security Tips You’re Probably Ignoring (But Shouldn’t!)

Cyberattacks are rising, and businesses—big or small—are prime targets. The worst part? Most security breaches happen because of simple, overlooked mistakes that could have been avoided with the right precautions.

If you're like most business owners, cybersecurity is something you know is important but may not have the time or expertise to prioritise. You’re focused on running your company, not hunting for vulnerabilities in your IT infrastructure. But ignoring basic security measures could leave your business open to devastating cyberattacks, data loss, and financial ruin.

So, let’s cut through the fluff. We’ve compiled 10 critical IT security tips that can help protect your business from threats lurking in the digital world. If you’re not following these best practices, your business could be an easy target for cybercriminals.

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Not enforcing multi-factor authentication (MFA)

If you’re still relying on just passwords to secure your business accounts, you’re leaving the door wide open for cybercriminals. Even the strongest password isn’t enough when hackers use phishing attempts, brute-force attacks, or leaked credentials to gain access to your sensitive data.

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds an extra layer of protection by requiring users to verify their identity in multiple ways—typically through a password and a secondary factor like a one-time code sent to a mobile device.

Why does MFA matter?

• Passwords alone aren’t safe. With billions of credentials leaked in past data breaches, even a “strong” password may already be compromised.
• It blocks 99.9% of automated cyberattacks. Microsoft research found that enabling MFA stops nearly all account takeover attempts.
• It’s an easy, low-cost fix. Implementing MFA across your business takes minutes but significantly reduces the risk of a breach.

How to implement MFA in your business

• Enable multi-factor authentication on all critical accounts—email, financial platforms, cloud services, and business applications.
• Use an authentication app like Microsoft Authenticator or Google Authenticator instead of SMS codes for stronger security.
• Require employees to use MFA for remote access and VPN logins to keep your business processes secure.

Think of MFA as locking the deadbolt on your business’s digital front door. It’s a simple step that can significantly reduce the risk of a cyberattack—so if you haven’t set it up yet, now’s the time.

Failing to regularly update software and systems

You wouldn’t leave a broken lock on your office door, would you? Yet, failing to keep your software up-to-date is the digital equivalent of doing just that. Outdated systems are full of potential vulnerabilities that hackers exploit to gain access to your business data.

Why software updates matter

• Patches fix security flaws. Cybercriminals actively search for vulnerabilities in outdated systems. Regular software updates patch these weaknesses before they can be exploited.
• Reduces the risk of malware and ransomware. Many attacks, including ransomware, target businesses running outdated software. Keeping everything updated lowers your chances of infection.
• Compliance and data protection. Many industries require businesses to keep their software up-to-date to comply with regulations and protect personal information.

How to keep your business secure

• Enable automatic updates for all operating systems, applications, and security software.
• Regularly check for updates on business-critical platforms, including cloud storage, accounting tools, and CRM systems.
• Ensure your IT team applies patches for all hardware, including routers, servers, and workstations.

Avoid using outdated software at all costs—it’s one of the easiest ways to prevent a cybersecurity disaster.

Overlooking employee security awareness training

Your employees are your first line of defence—but they can also be your biggest security risk if they’re not trained to spot cyber threats. Phishing attempts, social engineering, and malicious attachments are all designed to trick your staff into giving away personal or financial information or clicking on something dangerous.

Why employee training is critical

• 90% of data breaches start with human error. Cybercriminals rely on employees making mistakes, like clicking on a malicious link or using weak passwords.
• Hackers impersonate trusted sources. A well-crafted email can make an attacker look like your bank, IT team, or even your CEO. Without training, employees won’t know how to verify a sender.
• Social engineering is getting smarter. Attackers use psychological tricks to gain access to systems, often by manipulating employees into sharing sensitive data.

How to improve security awareness in your business

• Run security awareness training at least quarterly to keep employees updated on the latest threats.
• Simulate phishing attempts to test whether your team can spot suspicious emails before they cause damage.
• Encourage employees to report any unusual activity or requests for sensitive data immediately.

Assuming small businesses are not a target

Many small business owners believe that cyber criminals only go after large corporations with deep pockets. Unfortunately, that couldn't be further from the truth. 43% of cyberattacks target small businesses, and most don’t have the resources to recover after a breach.

Why small businesses are at risk

• Hackers know small businesses have weaker security. Without a dedicated IT team or managed security service provider (MSSP), small businesses often lack the proper security measures to protect against cyber threats.
• A single attack can be devastating. On average, small businesses lose thousands of dollars per minute of downtime after a cyberattack—and many never recover.
• Cybercriminals automate attacks. Hackers use bots to scan for vulnerabilities, meaning no business is too small to be targeted.

How to protect your business

• Invest in cybersecurity tools like firewalls, endpoint protection, and encryption to safeguard your data.
• Perform regular risk assessments to identify potential vulnerabilities before attackers do.
• Consider outsourcing IT security to a trusted service provider that specialises in protecting small businesses.

Not restricting employee access to sensitive data

Would you give every employee in your company a master key to all your financial records, client data, and proprietary information? If not, then why allow unrestricted access to your business’s digital assets?

One of the most common (and avoidable) mistakes businesses make is failing to set proper access controls. Not everyone in your company needs access to every file, system, or platform.

Why restricting access is essential

• Minimises damage from insider threats. Whether intentional or accidental, unauthorised access to sensitive data can lead to breaches, leaks, or compliance violations.
• Prevents cybercriminals from moving freely. If an attacker gains access to one employee’s account, they shouldn’t be able to reach critical systems without further authentication.
• Reduces the risk of human error. Employees without access to certain files can’t accidentally delete, edit, or expose them.

How to implement access controls

• Use role-based access control (RBAC) to ensure employees only have access to the files and systems they need for their jobs.
• Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all high-privilege accounts to prevent unauthorised access.
• Regularly audit access permissions to revoke unnecessary privileges and reduce vulnerabilities.

Ignoring the need for regular data backups

Imagine losing all your client records, financial data, and business files overnight. No warning. No recovery. This nightmare scenario happens every day to businesses that fail to implement proper data backups.

A single cyberattack, hardware failure, or human error could wipe out critical information—unless you have a reliable backup strategy in place.

Why regular backups matter

• Ransomware attacks can lock you out. If your data is held hostage, having an up-to-date backup is the only way to recover without paying a ransom.
• Hardware failures happen without warning. Hard drives crash, servers fail, and devices get stolen—losing all stored information in seconds.
• Accidental deletions are common. Employees can mistakenly erase critical files, and without a backup, they’re gone for good.

Best practices for data backups

• Follow the 3-2-1 rule: Keep three copies of your data (one primary and two backups), store it on two different media types, and ensure one copy is offsite or in the cloud.
• Automate backups to ensure they happen regularly without relying on manual updates.
• Encrypt your backups to protect against unauthorised access and ensure your personal data stays secure.

Using weak or recycled passwords across accounts

If you’re still using "Password123" or the same password for multiple accounts, you might as well be handing cybercriminals the keys to your business. Weak or reused passwords are one of the easiest ways for hackers to gain access to sensitive systems.

Why weak passwords are a serious risk

• Hackers use brute-force attacks. Automated bots try thousands of common passwords per second to break into accounts.
• Data breaches expose reused passwords. If one of your accounts is compromised in a data breach, cybercriminals can use the same password to break into other accounts.
• Credential stuffing is a real threat. Attackers use leaked credentials from past breaches to impersonate users and access accounts.

How to strengthen your password security

• Use unique passwords for every account—never reuse old ones.
• Implement a password manager to store and generate strong, random passwords securely.
• Require multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an extra layer of security beyond just a password.

Failing to monitor suspicious network activity

Most businesses assume that if they haven’t noticed a cyberattack, they haven’t been targeted. But the truth is hackers can lurk inside your systems for months before making a move. Without active network monitoring, you may not even realise an attacker has gained access until it's too late.

Why network monitoring is crucial

• Cybercriminals don’t always strike immediately. Many cyberattacks start with silent infiltration, where attackers collect data and look for weaknesses before launching an attack.
• Unusual activity can be an early warning sign. Unexpected login attempts, large data transfers, and off-hours access can all indicate a breach in progress.
• It helps stop insider threats. Not all security threats come from the outside—monitoring network activity can prevent unauthorised access from within your company.

How to keep an eye on your network

• Use managed detection and response (MDR) services to proactively monitor for suspicious activity.
• Set up real-time alerts for failed login attempts, unauthorised file access, or abnormal data transfers.
• Conduct regular security audits to review logs, patch vulnerabilities, and ensure all systems are secure.

Not securing Wi-Fi networks and remote work devices

Your business's Wi-Fi network and remote work setups can be a hacker’s dream if they aren’t properly secured. Using public Wi-Fi or failing to lock down your office network leaves an open door for cybercriminals to gain access to your systems.

Why unsecured networks are a major risk

• Hackers can intercept sensitive data. Unsecured networks allow attackers to eavesdrop on logins, emails, and other personal information being transmitted.
• Using public Wi-Fi exposes you to man-in-the-middle attacks. If your employees access business accounts on public Wi-Fi without a VPN, attackers can easily steal their credentials.
• Weak encryption makes breaking in easy. Older Wi-Fi security standards (like WEP) are easy for hackers to crack, leaving your network vulnerable.

How to secure your business network

• Use WPA3 encryption for your office Wi-Fi and change default router passwords.
• Require employees to avoid using public Wi-Fi for work-related tasks or enforce VPN usage.
• Implement mobile device management (MDM) to ensure all remote work devices follow security best practices.

Skipping cybersecurity audits and penetration testing

How do you know if your business is truly secure? Many companies assume their cybersecurity is strong—until a breach proves otherwise. Skipping cybersecurity audits and penetration testing is like assuming your house is safe without ever checking if the doors are locked.

Why cybersecurity audits and penetration testing matter

• They identify hidden vulnerabilities. Even businesses with security measures in place often have potential vulnerabilities they aren’t aware of.
• Penetration testing simulates real-world attacks. Ethical hackers attempt to gain access to your systems, exposing weaknesses before cybercriminals do.
• Audits ensure compliance with security regulations. If your business handles personal or financial information, regular audits help prevent costly compliance violations.

How to strengthen your cybersecurity through audits

• Schedule annual cybersecurity audits to review security settings, software security upgrades, and access controls.
• Work with a managed security service provider (MSSP) to conduct penetration testing and proactively fix weaknesses.
• Regularly update incident response plans to ensure you’re prepared if an attack happens.

Final thoughts

Cyber threats aren’t going away anytime soon, and business owners who ignore IT security are taking a dangerous gamble. A single data breach can cost thousands (if not millions) in damages, not to mention the loss of trust from clients and partners.

The good news? You don’t have to handle cybersecurity alone. By implementing these 10 IT security tips—like multi-factor authentication (MFA), regular software updates, and penetration testing—you’re already miles ahead of businesses that leave their security to chance.

But if keeping up with cybersecurity feels overwhelming, you’re not alone. Many businesses outsource their IT security to experts who specialise in safeguarding companies just like yours.

That’s where soma technology group comes in. We’re dedicated to helping small and medium-sized businesses protect their data, systems, and networks from cyber threats. Let us give you the peace of mind that comes with knowing your cybersecurity is in good hands.

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Frequently asked questions

How can I keep my personal information safe from cyber threats?

To protect your personal information, follow top cybersecurity practices like using strong, different passwords for each account, enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA), and never clicking on suspicious attachments or links. A password manager can help you securely store and generate complex passwords.

What’s the best way to prevent a data breach?

A breach can happen due to weak security, outdated software, or phishing scams. To improve your cybersecurity, always keep your software up-to-date, encrypt sensitive data, and train employees to recognise scam attempts.

How do hackers steal sensitive information?

A hacker can exploit weak passwords, security flaws, and even social engineering tactics to gain access to your personal and business data. Some use malicious code hidden in attachments or fake login pages to steal credentials. Avoid clicking on unknown attachments or links, and always verify the sender before opening emails in your inbox.

Why should I avoid using public Wi-Fi for work?

Using public Wi-Fi without protection is a huge risk. Cybercriminals can intercept data and infect your device with malware. If you must work remotely, avoid using public networks or use a VPN to encrypt your connection and keep your information safe.

How often should I install security updates?

Always apply security updates as soon as they’re available. Delaying updates leaves your systems vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Automated software updates help ensure your security measures are always current.

What’s the safest way to back up business data?

Use an external hard drive or cloud storage with encryption to keep backups secure. For added protection, follow the 3-2-1 backup strategy: keep three copies of your data, store them on two different devices, and ensure one is offsite.

How can I improve my cybersecurity at work and at home?

Strong security practices should extend beyond the office. Whether at work or at home, enable MFA, use a password manager, avoid social networking scams, and encrypt all critical data. Following these cybersecurity tips will significantly improve your online safety.