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December 1, 20256 min read

Small Business Cybersecurity Basics: The First 5 Controls to Implement

A practical starter checklist to reduce risk quickly, without buying every security tool on the market.

CybersecurityBest Practices
Small Business Cybersecurity Basics: The First 5 Controls to Implement

Most breaches don't start with sophisticated hacking. They start with weak passwords, unpatched systems, and phishing. The goal isn't perfection; it's reducing risk fast with controls that actually move the needle.

Start with multi-factor authentication (MFA) everywhere it's supported, especially on email accounts. Then standardize device updates and patching so security fixes aren't optional.

Next, protect endpoints (laptops/desktops) with modern antivirus/EDR, restrict admin access, and train your team on phishing and suspicious attachments.

Finally, make sure you have backups that are isolated from your main environment. A ransomware incident is survivable when you can restore quickly.

Key takeaways

  • Turn on MFA for email and admin accounts first.
  • Standardize patching and endpoint protection to reduce easy wins for attackers.
  • Limit admin access and remove stale accounts/permissions.
  • Backups must be isolated, and restores should be tested regularly.

Sources and References

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