October marks more than falling leaves and pumpkin spice, it's also National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. This annual campaign, led by CISA and the National Cybersecurity Alliance, encourages organizations to step up their cybersecurity posture.
Many small business owners think cyberattacks only happen to the big guys. The truth? Nearly 50% of cyberattacks target small and mid-sized businesses. And for a company with limited IT resources, even one breach can cause serious damage like lost revenue, compromised data, and reputational harm.
This October, use Cybersecurity Awareness Month as your wake-up call. In this article, we'll cover why small businesses are prime targets, practical steps to protect your company, and how TotalBC can be your partner in staying secure year-round.
Why Small Businesses Are Especially Vulnerable
- Limited Resources: Many small businesses don't have dedicated IT security staff or the expertise to keep up with evolving threats.
- Outdated Tools & Systems: Old software, unpatched servers, and unsupported devices create easy entry points for hackers.
- Phishing & Social Engineering: Employees can unknowingly let attackers in by clicking malicious links or giving up credentials.
- Third-Party & Supply Chain Risks: Vendors or SaaS providers with weaker security can expose your data indirectly.
7 Practical Steps to Protect Your Small Business
- Strengthen Passwords & Use MFA: Require long, unique passwords and enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) across all systems.
- Keep Systems Updated & Patched: Schedule regular updates for operating systems, apps, and even VoIP phones to close security holes.
- Train Employees on Phishing: Run cybersecurity awareness sessions and simulated phishing campaigns so staff can recognize scams.
- Backup & Test Your Data: Keep secure, offsite or cloud backups. Test your recovery process regularly.
- Secure Your Network: Use firewalls, encrypt Wi-Fi, limit remote access, and segment your network where possible.
- Adopt Zero Trust Principles: Don't automatically trust any device or user. Require verification for every login and restrict permissions.
- Schedule Regular Security Assessments: Audit your systems and vendors. Look for gaps before attackers find them.
How TotalBC Keeps You Protected
At TotalBC, we provide security-focused technology services designed for small and mid-sized businesses:
- Managed IT Services: 24/7 monitoring, patch management, vulnerability assessments, and proactive security updates.
- Secure Hosted VoIP: Our VoIP platform includes encrypted voice transmission, secure call routing, and protection from VoIP fraud.
- Employee Awareness Training: We help you roll out cybersecurity training and phishing simulations to strengthen your human firewall.
- Backup & Disaster Recovery Solutions: We ensure your critical data is backed up, redundant, and quickly restorable if something goes wrong.
- Security Roadmaps & Consulting: Our experts can build a custom security plan that fits your needs and budget.
The Cost of Waiting Is Too High
Cybersecurity is no longer a "someday" project, it's a "right now" necessity. Every day, hackers launch new attacks targeting small businesses because they're easier to breach than large corporations. The average cost of a cyberattack on a small business now exceeds $120,000, and that's not counting lost customers or reputational damage. Waiting until "next quarter" or "next year" to strengthen your defenses could be the difference between staying in business or shutting your doors. October's Cybersecurity Awareness Month is the perfect time to act, review your systems, and partner with experts like TotalBC who can safeguard your operations before disaster strikes.
Be Proactive This October
Cybersecurity isn't optional anymore, especially for small businesses. This October, use Cybersecurity Awareness Month to tighten your defenses, train your team, and prepare for the unexpected.
TotalBC is here to help. From managed IT and secure VoIP to employee training and disaster recovery, we provide the tools and expertise you need to stay protected not just this month, but all year long.
Contact TotalBC today for a free security assessment or consultation. Visit www.totalbc.com to learn more. Call our office at 866-673-8682 to get started and learn about our cybersecurity month promotions.
