Top 5 Cybersecurity Mistakes Small Businesses Make (and How to Fix Them)
Running a small business is already enough of a juggling act payroll, clients, vendors, deadlines. The last thing you want to worry about is cyberattacks.
But the truth is, small businesses are the easiest and most common targets. Not because hackers are brilliant, but because most small businesses make the same simple mistakes.
At ColdSpace Technologies, we help small teams fix these weak spots before they turn into full-blown breaches. Here are the top five cybersecurity mistakes we see all the time and how to fix them fast.
1. Relying on “Free” or Outdated Antivirus
If your main line of defense is the free antivirus that came with your computer five years ago, you’re already at risk. Modern threats evolve daily and traditional antivirus can’t keep up.
Fix It: Upgrade to Next-Gen Protection
Use a behavior-based security platform like SentinelOne, Huntress, or Bitdefender.
These tools don’t just scan for known viruses they detect suspicious activity and stop attacks before they spread.
Even better, your Managed IT company (like ColdSpace) can monitor these systems 24/7 and respond in real time.
2. Thinking “We’re Too Small to Be Targeted”
It’s one of the most dangerous assumptions out there. Hackers don’t target you because you’re big they target you because you’re easy.
Small businesses often have customer data, financial info, and vendor access all valuable to cybercriminals.
Fix It: Assume You’re a Target (and Prepare Accordingly)
Start with a CyberSecure Technical Assessment.
We’ll identify your biggest vulnerabilities and give you a clear action plan no tech jargon, no scare tactics. Just a roadmap to safety.
3. Skipping Employee Security Training
Even the best firewall can’t stop someone from clicking a bad link.
Most breaches start with human error a phishing email, fake login page or malicious attachment.
Fix It: Make Cyber Awareness Part of Your Culture
Host short, recurring training sessions or partner with a provider who includes this as part of their service.
Teach your team to:
Hover before they click
Verify sender addresses
Never share passwords via email
A little awareness goes a long way
4. No Backups (or Unreliable Ones)
We can’t tell you how many times we’ve heard:
“I thought we had backups…”
Then ransomware hits and it turns out the backups weren’t running properly.
Fix It: Automate and Test Your Backups
Use cloud-native backups (Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Druva, etc.) with automated daily jobs.
More importantly: test restores regularly.
If you can’t recover data fast, it’s not a real backup.
5. Weak or Reused Passwords
If you’re using the same password across multiple sites or sharing passwords between employees you’re giving attackers an easy way in.
Fix It: Use Password Managers and MFA
Implement a password manager like 1Password or Bitwarden to securely store and share logins.
Turn on Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) everywhere email, cloud apps, remote access.
It adds one small step for users, but a massive roadblock for attackers.
No Incident Response Plan
When an attack happens, every minute counts. If you don’t have a plan, panic takes over and mistakes get made.
Fix It: Have a Clear “What If” Plan
Document who to call, what systems to isolate, and how to communicate during a breach.
Our clients receive a Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery Plan tailored to their environment because the middle of a crisis is the worst time to start guessing.
Cybersecurity Is a Business Problem, Not an IT Problem
You don’t need to be a tech expert to build strong defences. You just need the right partner who explains things clearly, implements smart systems, and keeps you protected while you focus on growth.
At ColdSpace Technologies, we believe in radical transparency, no hidden costs, no upsells, just honest guidance that keeps your business safe and running smoothly.
Ready to See Where You Stand?
Get your Free Tech Assessment and find out how secure your business really is.
We’ll review your setup, identify gaps and give you a step by step plan to strengthen your cybersecurity.
Schedule My Free Tech Assessment