Let's examine a topic that may give us chills--cybersecurity skeletons in the closet. While it's possible that there may not be any actual skeletons lurking, cybersecurity vulnerabilities could still exist and be waiting to cause havoc.

At times it can be difficult to remedy things without first knowing they exist, so now is the time to address any hidden dangers in your business. By taking proactive steps you can protect against potential cyber-threats.

Be proactive by recognizing potential threats that could put your business at risk, here are the top cybersecurity risks SMBs face.

Outdated software: the nightmare with cobwebs

Updates can be an inconvenience, and running outdated software can open the door to hackers for a virtual Halloween party.

Software updates usually include security patches designed to address vulnerabilities that hackers could exploit. Don't let outdated software threaten your business; keep everything current to ensure a digital fortress is always secure.

Weak Passwords Are the Skeleton Key of Cybercrime

Poor password security could open the doors to cybercriminals. Avoid using obvious or insecure credentials such as "123456", "password", or any similar terms when choosing passwords - especially "123456", "password", etc.

Create strong, unique passwords across all devices and accounts by combining lowercase letters with uppercase letters, special characters and numbers - password managers are an ideal way to generate and store complex passwords.

Do not expect your employees to do it alone; set requirements and implement software that forces strong passwords.

Imagine this: An unscrupulous cybercriminal is in a car parked outside your company, sneaking in via unsecure Wi-Fi to see your network data - terrifying? Hackers use unprotected Wi-Fi networks as gateways into sensitive information systems and can gain entry through unsecure access points.

Be sure that your Wi-Fi network is password protected

Add extra protection by using WPA2 or WPA3 encrypted routers. Consider investing in a VPN solution for essential business tasks; it will safeguard against prying eyes.

Employee Training Gap

Your employees can either be the strength of or weakness in your company's defense system. In fact, approximately 88% of data breaches occur as a result of employee negligence.

Your staff may unknowingly become targets of phishing schemes without proper cybersecurity training, or inadvertently reveal sensitive data by inadvertently disclosing it. Therefore, inform them on the best cybersecurity practices.

Follow these steps to recognize phishing emails:

• Recognize Phishing Emails


• Avoid suspicious websites as much as possible


• Secure file-sharing solutions

No Data Backups: The Cryptic Catastrophe

Imagine discovering your company data has vanished into thin air without you knowing. Without backups, this nightmare scenario could become reality; data loss may occur due to hardware failures, ransomware attacks or any number of factors; unexpected events may also contribute to data loss.

Adopt the 3-2-1 Rule. Store your data across at least three different types of media and one copy off-site for maximum protection. Test backups regularly to make sure they remain reliable and functional.

Doing Without Multi-Factor Authentication: A Reckless Gamble

Relying solely on password authentication to safeguard your account can be dangerous - better to install a security screen at the front of your business as protection than to rely solely on just password authentication alone.

MFA provides an additional layer of security. Users are required to provide additional authentication factors - this might be something like a passkey or code valid only once. Cyber-attackers find it much harder to gain entry to their accounts with MFA implemented.

Haunted Phones: Neglecting Mobile Security Mobile

Devices have become indispensable tools in the office, yet security threats pose a real danger. Passcode and biometric locks must be enabled on devices issued to employees as a matter of course, while MDM solutions can enforce security policies, remotely wipe data from devices as needed and ensure devices stay updated with software upgrades.

Shadow IT Can Be an Unpleasant Surprise

Shadow IT, also known as unlicensed applications used in your company without authorization or the proper security approval from management, can be an unwelcome surprise for companies of any size. While employees may seem innocently using online tools they find convenient, such as apps which may pose security threats.

Create a policy outlining how your company will utilize software and services. Perform regular system audits to detect any shadow IT that might exist behind the scenes.

Incident Response Plan

The Horror Unleashed Security incidents can strike even with the best precautions in place; without an incident response plan in place, attacks against your business could prove devastating if an attack takes place.

Create a detailed incident response plan. Your plan should contain key components, including how your team will respond to security incidents, detect them early on and recover from them. Regularly test and update this plan to ensure its efficacy.

Are You Wanting to Increase Cyber Security?

Are You looking to enhance your cyber security? We can assist in identifying and eliminating potential vulnerabilities while helping create a robust security posture for your business.

Call now at (404) 932-5940 or email us at info@nuwaveitc.com to schedule your cybersecurity evaluation!