Cybersecurity is sometimes framed as a technology issue, but tools alone won't protect your business. In many organizations, the biggest vulnerabilities come from overlooked basics, delayed maintenance, or security practices that aren't applied consistently.
This week, focus on six practical changes that can quickly lower your cyber risk.
1. Enable multi-factor authentication
If MFA isn't turned on yet, make it your first move. Multi-factor authentication adds an extra layer of identity verification before someone can access an account or system. Instead of relying on a password alone, users confirm their identity with something else, such as a code from an app or text message, a security key, or a biometric factor like a fingerprint or face scan.
That extra step makes stolen credentials far less useful. Even if an attacker gets a password, they still have to bypass the second checkpoint.
Prioritize MFA for:
- Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace
- Banking and payroll platforms
- Cloud storage
- VPN access
- Critical business applications
Many systems include MFA at no added cost. Turning it on immediately closes one of the easiest entry points for attackers.
2. Delete unused accounts
Former employees, contractors, and vendors often leave behind active accounts that no longer serve a purpose. These forgotten logins are easy to miss, which makes them attractive targets for cybercriminals.
Review your accounts and ask:
- Does this person still work with us?
- Does this account still support a business need?
- Does the account have more access than it should?
If the answer to any of those questions is no, update the permissions or remove the account altogether.
3. Limit administrator privileges
Administrator accounts have broad control over your environment. They can install software, change settings, and disable protections, which makes them especially valuable to attackers.
Review access across the business and ask:
- Does this person truly need admin rights to do their job?
- Is there a lower access level that fits their role better?
- Should this account still have administrative control?
Remove elevated access wherever possible. Giving users only the permissions they need reduces the damage a compromised account can cause.
4. Turn on automatic updates
Attackers regularly exploit software with known weaknesses. Updates are one of the fastest ways to close those openings before they become a problem.
Make sure automatic updates are enabled for:
- Windows and macOS
- Phones and tablets
- Web browsers
- Microsoft Office
- Antivirus software
- Important business applications
Staying current helps protect your systems from threats that are already known and actively targeted.
5. Adopt a password manager
Strong passwords are essential, but no one can realistically remember a unique, complex password for every account. That's where a password manager makes a real difference.
A password manager helps employees:
- Generate strong passwords
- Store credentials securely
- Avoid reusing passwords
- Share access safely when needed
The easier it is to manage passwords properly, the less likely people are to fall back on weak or repeated credentials.
6. Test your backups
Backups only matter if they can actually be restored. If disaster strikes, you need confidence that your data is recoverable.
Review your backup process and ask:
- When did the last successful backup run?
- Has a restore been tested recently?
- How long would recovery take?
A backup is only a safeguard if it works when you need it most.
Small improvements can deliver major protection
Cybersecurity doesn't have to begin with a major investment. In many cases, the smartest first step is tightening the basics that create unnecessary exposure.
These six changes can help lower common risks without adding cost or complexity.
What matters most is putting them into action and keeping them in place. We can help you build a clear, practical plan that aligns with your team, your systems, and your risk tolerance.
Click here or give us a call at 801-610-6000 to schedule your free 10-Minute Discovery Call to see where you're exposed and what practical steps to take next.
