Ways to protect your small business without and IT person

7 Ways To Protect Your Small Business From Cybersecurity Threats On The Wild Wild Web

In 2025, businesses of all sizes are thriving online. Even traditional brick-and-mortar stores rely on eCommerce and digital tools to stay competitive. But as your business moves online, so do the dangers.

The internet remains a modern-day Wild West, filled with digital bandits looking for their next victim. The stakes are high, and the threat is real. According to recent reports, nearly half of all cyberattacks now target small businesses, as hackers see them as low-hanging fruit due to weaker defenses and a lack of cybersecurity resources.

Small businesses face alarming risks, and the statistics highlight just how real the danger is:

  • According to Verizon’s Data Breach Investigations Report, 46% of all cyber breaches impact businesses with fewer than 1,000 employees.
  • IBM’s Cost of a Data Breach Report found that 95% of cybersecurity incidents at small businesses cost between $826 and $653,587, showing how financially devastating even a single breach can be.
  • Digital.com reports that 51% of small businesses have no cybersecurity measures in place, leaving them vulnerable to attacks like phishing, ransomware, and malware.

One of the most common and enduring threats is phishing — a tactic where cybercriminals disguise themselves as trustworthy sources to steal sensitive information. It’s like a digital ambush, where a single careless click can give hackers access to your system. And yes, phishing is very much still a thing. Phishing attacks are becoming more sophisticated, making it even more critical for small businesses to stay vigilant.

Below is an example of a phishing email and landing page to help you recognize these scams before they can harm your business.

The good news? You don’t need a dedicated IT team or fancy equipment to protect yourself. You can secure your business against digital threats with some simple cybersecurity tips.

Here are 7 basic and practical ways to keep your business safe on the Wild Wild Web:

1. Restrict Employee Access & Permissions

Even the best-guarded towns in the Wild West could fall to bandits if an unsuspecting resident left the gates open. The same is true for your small business: even with strong defenses, one careless employee can let hackers waltz into your systems.

One of the most common threats to small businesses is phishing. These counterfeit emails appear to come from trusted sources but are designed to steal sensitive information like passwords. Below is an example of a phishing email and the landing page it links to:

What is phishing?

Phishing attacks are counterfeit emails that look like they come from a trustworthy source. They are often sent to individual employees at a specific company as a sneaky way to steal their passwords and login information.

What do phishing attacks look like?

Here’s a real example of a phishing email and landing page designed to look like it came from GoDaddy, so cybercriminals can steal your password:

Phishing Email Example
Phishing Email Example
Phishing Landing Page Example Steal Your Password
Phishing Landing Page Example
How to protect your business:
  • Upgrade to Modern Tools: Use endpoint protection platforms like CrowdStrike or SentinelOne to monitor and control access to harmful websites.
  • Leverage Secure Web Gateways: Tools like Zscaler or Cisco Umbrella restrict access to known malicious websites.
  • Educate Employees: Regularly update your team on phishing tactics and train them to identify suspicious emails and links.

By taking these steps, you can prevent your employees from falling for digital ambushes and protect your company’s valuable information.

2. Use Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)

In the Wild West, messages had to be guarded against bandits. Today, those “messages” are the data flowing through your business, and hackers are constantly lurking to intercept them.

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) acts as your trusty deputy, encrypting your internet traffic to keep prying eyes at bay. However, newer solutions like Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) and Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) offer even better protection for small businesses.

How to secure your business:
  • Adopt ZTNA Solutions: Tools like Zscaler ZTNA or Palo Alto Networks Prisma Access ensure employees only access the resources they need.
  • Embrace SASE: Combine VPN capabilities with advanced threat detection for remote or hybrid workforces.
  • Encrypt Everything: Always encrypt sensitive data to safeguard it from interception.

With these tools, you can ensure your data safely reaches its destination without falling into the hands of modern-day bandits.

3. Perform Penetration Testing

Sheriffs sometimes enlisted former outlaws in the Wild West to understand their enemy’s tactics. Similarly, you can hire ethical hackers to test your defenses. Known as penetration testing, this practice is like a fire drill for your cybersecurity system — it identifies weaknesses so you can fortify them.

How to perform penetration testing:

  • Automate Vulnerability Scans: Tools like Tenable Nessus or Qualys can regularly identify weak spots.
  • Schedule Regular Testing: Conduct penetration tests quarterly or biannually to stay ahead of evolving threats.
  • Use Ethical Hackers: Platforms like HackerOne connect you with vetted professionals who can safely test your system.

Regular testing ensures your digital defenses are as strong as your Wild West town’s perimeter.

4. Secure Your Premises

Even the toughest lawmen knew that locking saloon doors wasn’t enough to keep out intruders. Similarly, physical security plays a crucial role in protecting your digital assets.

How to secure your premises:
  • Encrypt Devices: Use tools like BitLocker or FileVault to safeguard sensitive data on employee devices.
  • Monitor Insider Threats: Tools like Teramind can detect unusual activity and prevent sabotage.
  • Implement BYOD Policies: Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions like Jamf ensure personal devices are secure.

These small adjustments can go a long way in preventing unauthorized access to your data.

5. Backup Your Data

Imagine waking up to find your saloon’s safe emptied by bandits. In the digital Wild West, ransomware attacks can have the same devastating effect. Regular backups are your safety net for recovering quickly.

How to back up your data:
  • Use Cloud Solutions: Services like AWS Backup or Backblaze automate secure backups.
  • Implement Versioning: Retain multiple file versions to recover from accidental deletions or malware.
  • Follow the 3-2-1 Rule: Keep three copies of your data — two on-site and one offsite.

Backing up your data ensures you’re prepared to bounce back from any disaster..

6. Establish A Password Policy

Weak passwords are the digital equivalent of leaving the barn door open. Hackers use brute-force attacks powered by AI to guess passwords, so enforcing strong password practices is vital.

How to secure your passwords:
  • Use Password Managers: Tools like LastPass or 1Password make strong passwords easy to manage.
  • Enable MFA: Multi-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to all logins with apps like Google Authenticator.
  • Educate Employees: Teach your team how to create complex passwords and why they matter.

These steps create a strong foundation to protect your business from unauthorized access.

7. Conduct Cybersecurity Awareness Training

No sheriff could protect a town alone, and no business can defend itself without an informed team. Cybersecurity awareness training turns your employees into vigilant deputies who can recognize and respond to threats.

How to train your team:

  • Use Gamified Training: Platforms like KnowBe4 make learning about cybersecurity engaging.
  • Simulate Phishing Attacks: Test your team with mock phishing emails to reinforce best practices.
  • Keep Everyone Updated: Provide ongoing training as new threats emerge.

With a well-trained team, your business will be better prepared to face the digital Wild West.

⚡Tools to Use

Here’s a roundup of the tools mentioned in this article to help protect your small business:

Implementing these tools is a simple and effective way to protect your small business from digital threats.

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