There is a complex, relentless battle being fought every day. While you focus on running your business, IT security experts are quietly blocking thousands of cyberattacks targeting your data. Small businesses are not immune to these attacks—in fact, they’re prime targets for data thieves.

But it’s not all bad news. Based on frontline expertise from cybersecurity professionals, this post reveals the five best ways to help defend your organization from cybercriminals. Let's jump in, shall we?

5-step cybersecurity action plan for SMBs

1. Prioritize employee security training

According to Verizon’s Data Breach Incident Report, 74% of all data breaches involve the human element. Without a doubt, training your employees about the threats they could face at work is the single best cyberattack prevention tactic.

When setting up your cybersecurity training, don’t forget to—

• Train employees to recognize sophisticated phishing attempts.

• Implement regular security awareness programs (not just one-time training).

• Establish protocols for verifying unusual requests, especially involving financial transactions.

• Conduct simulated phishing tests to identify vulnerable employees.

2. Implement technical safeguards

A layered security technology strategy ensures your devices (laptops, workstations, phones, networks) are protected from a variety of threats.

Here’s what experts recommend:

• Deploy multifactor authentication for all accounts that support it.

• Use password managers company-wide to ensure strong, unique passwords.

• Keep all software and systems updated with the latest security patches.

• Install comprehensive email filtering solutions.

• Enable dark web monitoring for company credentials.

• Access software and applications from the cloud.

3. Ensure your data is backed up regularly

Some cyber attackers will hold your data hostage and issue an ultimatum: Pay a hefty sum, and they’ll return your critical information. Even then, some victims don’t get their data back after forking over a ransom.

When you back up data off-site through a partner that specializes in protecting critical information, you effectively neutralize the impact of ransomware. After all, if you can still access your data after a bad actor claims to have stolen it, you don’t need to pay a ransom to get it back.

Familiarize yourself with the 3-2-1 backup rule and the shared responsibility model to ensure your data stays safe and available.

4. Limit employee access to sensitive information

The issue with which pieces of data employees can and cannot access isn’t so much one of trust. Rather, it’s a pragmatic cybersecurity concern. If a cybercriminal does manage to breach an employee’s account, you can limit the information the attacker has access to by limiting what the employee has access to in the first place.

• Implement the principle of least privilege (i.e., employees only access what they need).

• Create a process for quickly revoking access during offboarding.

• Conduct regular access reviews to identify and remove unnecessary permissions.

Use role-based access control to standardize permissions.

In one survey, almost half of respondents said they believed former employees and contractors still had access to business data. That’s a potentially dangerous situation for any business.

5. Partner with cybersecurity experts

• Consider outsourcing security monitoring to specialized providers.

• Migrate critical applications to secure cloud environments.

• Develop and regularly test an incident response plan.

• Schedule regular security assessments to identify vulnerabilities.

Consider partnering with a company that will back up and protect your critical information around the clock. As much as we wish it wasn’t so, your small business is in the crosshairs of cybercriminals. With the right partner personalizing your cybersecurity, you’ll undoubtedly keep your business’s data safe.

The bottom line: Your defense starts today

The cyber battlefield may be complex, but your response doesn't have to be. By implementing these five proven strategies—from empowering your employees with security training to partnering with cybersecurity experts—you're building a robust defense against the thousands of attacks targeting small businesses daily.

Remember, cybercriminals are counting on small businesses to be the weak link in the security chain. Don't give them that satisfaction. Whether you start with employee training, technical safeguards, or reaching out to a trusted security partner, the important thing is to start now. Your data, your customers' trust, and your business's future depend on the actions you take today.

The good news? You don't have to fight this battle alone. With the right preparation, tools, and partners, you can transform your small business from an easy target into a cyber-secure fortress.