Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) face unique cybersecurity challenges, which often make them prime targets for cyberattacks. Limited budgets, outdated systems, and longer technology refresh cycles create security gaps that cybercriminals are quick to exploit.
The good news? Securing your business doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right strategy and a trusted technology provider, you can strengthen your defenses, minimize risks, and build long-term resilience—without disrupting daily operations.
In this blog, we’ll cover 5 cybersecurity strategies to help your SMB stay protected.
1. Securing Legacy Systems
Outdated technology is one of the biggest security risks for SMBs. Many businesses rely on legacy systems that are essential to daily operations, but these platforms often run on unsupported software, leaving them vulnerable to cyberattacks.
While replacing legacy systems isn’t always a quick process, you don’t have to leave them exposed. A practical solution is sandboxing—which involves isolating older systems from your main network to minimize risk while keeping them operational.
For example, if your business relies on an outdated accounting system that can’t be upgraded immediately, keeping it connected to your primary network could put sensitive financial data at risk. Instead, placing it in a secure, restricted environment ensures only authorized users can access it, reducing exposure until a migration plan is in place.
Since legacy systems remain critical to daily operations, implementing this approach can be complex. Working with a technology provider ensures these systems stay secure and accessible, helping you transition smoothly to newer platforms without disruption.
2. Protecting Branch-to-Branch Locations
SMBs operating across multiple locations often rely on VPNs to connect networks and facilitate data sharing. While these connections improve efficiency, they also introduce security risks. If a hacker gains access to one location, they can move laterally across the entire network, potentially compromising sensitive data or disrupting operations.
To strengthen security, you should firewall traffic between locations. Instead of leaving networks open, deny all traffic by default and only allow necessary, approved connections. This limits the impact of a breach and prevents cybercriminals from moving freely across your entire network.
Many businesses overlook this crucial step, so partnering with an expert is key. An experienced partner can assess network vulnerabilities and implement a segmented security approach to minimize risk across your locations.
3. Upgrading to AI-Powered Email Security
Email is one of the most common attack vectors for cybercriminals. Phishing scams and malicious attachments often bypass traditional email filters, leaving your end-users as your last line of defense.
Older email filtering systems rely on static databases of known threats, scanning attachments and links against predefined blacklists. The issue is that cybercriminals are constantly evolving their tactics—new phishing links can slip through traditional filters if they haven’t yet been flagged as malicious.
AI-powered email security solutions offer a smarter, more adaptive defense for your business. Instead of simply matching links and attachments to a blacklist, these advanced systems analyze email behavior, sender patterns, and contextual clues to detect suspicious activity. AI-driven filters can spot anomalies like emails sent at unusual times, messages with inconsistent language, or login attempts from unexpected locations.
Additionally, traditional email filters often block legitimate emails to avoid risks, leading to employee frustration. With AI-driven filtering, you can block phishing attempts, reduce false positives, and enhance overall email security.
4. Transitioning to Passwordless Authentication
Passwords remain one of the weakest links in cybersecurity. They can be easily stolen, guessed, or exposed through phishing attacks. Once an attacker gains access to login credentials, they can move freely through your organization’s network.
To address this, many businesses are adopting passwordless authentication methods, which eliminates the need for traditional passwords. Instead, you can use biometric authentication (fingerprint or facial recognition), smart cards, or passkeys tied to physical devices. These methods significantly reduce the risk of hackers gaining access, as there’s no password to steal.
While transitioning to passwordless authentication may seem daunting, working with a technology provider can help develop a phased roadmap for implementation. This roadmap involves assessing your current authentication systems, determining the right passwordless solutions for your needs, and gradually introducing them across your organization. A strategic approach ensures minimal disruption, smooth integration with existing systems, and ongoing employee training to facilitate a seamless transition.
5. Taking Control of Your Backup and Recovery Plan
Many SMBs trust third-party providers for backups but fail to assess whether the strategy truly meets their needs. A common mistake is assuming that backups occur frequently enough to restore critical data during an attack, only to discover their recovery options are limited when an incident occurs.
To prevent this, you must regularly review your backup and recovery policies. Understanding how often backups are made and how quickly data can be restored is crucial to ensuring recovery meets your business needs. For example, if a breach requires rolling back data from an hour ago, but backups are only taken once a day, this gap in protection can become a serious issue.
Your business should reevaluate backup strategies annually to ensure recovery timeframes are realistic and that all critical functions are protected. Instead of leaving full control to an IT provider, it’s important to actively participate in defining and adjusting backup requirements.
Protect Your Business with the Right Partner
Many businesses hesitate to invest in cybersecurity due to concerns about cost, complexity, or potential disruptions. However, the biggest risk is doing nothing—cyber threats can lead to financial losses, downtime, and reputational damage.
Partnering with a trusted technology provider lets you focus on running your business while ensuring your security needs are met. The right partner understands that SMBs need practical, cost-effective solutions that don’t compromise on protection.
For over 50 years, CBIZ CompuData has delivered tailored security solutions designed to meet the unique needs of SMBs. Our expert team works to keep your business secure with strategies that align with your budget and operational goals.
Ready to secure your SMB from cyber threats? Contact CBIZ CompuData today for a free security audit and take the first step toward protecting your business!
