Improving cybersecurity can start with reviewing the systems and services your business already uses. Inactive accounts, unnecessary permissions and untested backups can create avoidable risks, even when security software is in place.
These six steps provide a practical starting point for strengthening protection and identifying areas that need attention.
1. Enable Multifactor Authentication
A stolen password should not be enough to access a business account. Multifactor authentication (MFA) adds another verification requirement, making unauthorized access more difficult.
Prioritize business email, banking, payroll, cloud storage and remote access. Use phishing-resistant options, such as passkeys or security keys, where supported.
Check your existing subscriptions to see which authentication features are available.
2. Review Accounts That Are No Longer Needed
Former employees, temporary contractors and previous vendors may retain access after their work ends. These accounts can be overlooked during routine security reviews.
Check whether each account has a current owner, a legitimate purpose and an appropriate level of access. Block unnecessary sign-ins promptly, and preserve required business information before deleting accounts.
Include account reviews in your employee departure and vendor offboarding procedures.
3. Limit Administrator Privileges
Administrator access allows users to make significant changes, including installing software and modifying security settings. Giving this access unnecessarily increases the potential impact of mistakes or compromised accounts.
Use standard accounts for everyday work. Give administrative privileges only where required, and use separate administrator accounts for privileged tasks.
Review permissions when employees change roles as well as when they leave.
4. Keep Devices and Applications Updated
Security updates address known vulnerabilities in operating systems and applications. Delaying them can leave systems exposed to issues for which fixes are already available.
Review update settings for computers, mobile devices, browsers, security software and essential business applications. Enable automatic updates where appropriate, and establish a maintenance process for systems that need compatibility testing.
Confirm that updates install successfully and that required restarts are completed.
5. Use a Business-Approved Password Manager
Employees need unique passwords for their accounts, but remembering them all is impractical. An approved password manager helps generate and securely store strong passwords, reducing reliance on reused passwords or unsecured notes.
Choose an option that supports your business’s access and account recovery requirements. Protect the password manager with MFA and establish clear rules for its use.
Where colleagues need access to the same resource, use individual accounts and delegated permissions whenever possible.
6. Test Your Ability to Restore Data
A successful backup notification does not confirm that your business can recover everything it needs.
Review which files, applications and services are covered, then perform controlled restoration tests. Confirm that recovered information is usable and document how long recovery takes.
Use the results to address missing coverage and update your recovery procedures.
Turn These Checks Into Routine Practice
These improvements need ongoing attention as employees, devices and business requirements change. Assign responsibility for each area and set a regular review schedule.
Many steps may be supported by your existing services. Others may require configuration work, additional licensing or professional support, depending on your environment.
We help businesses assess their current protections and turn identified gaps into a focused action plan.
Schedule a 10-minute discovery call to discuss practical improvements to your business’s cybersecurity.