While typing in an extra code or approving a push notification may be annoying, it's an incredibly effective way of blocking hackers from accessing your company's most valuable digital assets (like customer data, email, and business applications.) Stolen credentials fuel over half of all data breaches. Requiring MFA on every critical system lowers your risk.

79% of SMB leaders say AI adoption is critical for their company to remain competitive. Without proper consideration to it's governance, security, and scale, however, it can increase your risk of leaking proprietary data. Set clear boundaries with an AI Acceptable Use Policy that defines what data stays protected and how employees can use approved AI tools.

We've all received it: that email that looks mostly legitimate, but just doesn't seem quite right. Encourage employees to be extra cautious, adopting a "stop, check, and verify" process before clicking links or sending payments. Train employees through regular security awareness training and simulated phishing emails to ensure they're always up to date on the latest hacker methods.

Instead of trusting someone just because they're "inside" your network, adopt a "zero-trust" posture that continuously verifies users, devices, and applications. It's like checking for ID at the door - every time - so hackers can't just slip in. Paired with least-privilege access and timely updates, and your environment is protected rom both external threats and insider risks.

Ransomware doesn't care about your business continuity plan. That's why having encrypted, off-site and read to deploy backups of your critical data is imperative. Organizations with tested recovery procedures avoid paying ransoms and restore operations in hours, not weeks.

Time is money when a breach happens. The faster you detect and respond, the lower the damage. The average cost of a small business data breach is upwards of $150,000. By implementing real-time monitoring, centralized logging, and practiced incident response plans, you can minimize both financial damage and reputation loss.

Your business is only as secure as the companies you work with. In fact, many industries - from healthcare to government contracting - are now requiring proof that businesses hold their vendors to adequate cybersecurity standards. Vet your vendors rigorously, embed security requirements in every contract, and monitor their access like you would your own team's.