Zero-Cost Cybersecurity Checklist (Advanced Edition): Essential Measures for Growing Companies
Your growing company is beyond the basics. You’re not just thinking about survival; you’re planning for expansion and success. That’s why a robust cybersecurity strategy is no longer optional; it’s essential. This checklist provides actionable, free, or low-cost steps your organization can take right now to significantly improve your security posture and protect against evolving cyber threats. By implementing these measures, you can build a stronger defense without breaking your budget. Did you know that the average cost of a data breach for a growing company is around $2.35 million? That’s not just a financial hit; it’s a potential setback to your hard-earned growth. It’s time to get serious with more advanced, yet achievable, zero and low-cost steps to safeguard your operations and protect your future. Let’s get started!
1. Employee Training & Awareness (The Evolving Human Firewall)
Your employees are your first line of defense—or your weakest link. Strengthening them is critical.
Step 1: Targeted Phishing Simulations
- Action: Use free tools to run simulated phishing campaigns to identify at-risk employees.
- How to Implement: Consider utilizing these free options to test your team:
- Gophish (Open Source): https://getgophish.com/ – This powerful open-source platform lets you create and track your own phishing simulations.
- Benefit: Strengthen employee awareness and build a more robust human firewall. Organizations that conduct regular phishing simulations see a 35% reduction in successful phishing attacks. This is because your team will be more aware and better prepared.
Step 2: Insider Threat Awareness Program
- Action: Implement a basic insider threat awareness program educating staff on the risks to company security from within.
- How to Implement: Develop or find open-source materials for a concise internal training program that covers how to identify and prevent insider threats.
- Benefit: Identify and address risks posed by employees within your organization. Insider breaches cost an average of $4.65 million, highlighting the real danger within your own walls.
2. Password Security (The Next Level)
Passwords are the gatekeepers to your valuable data. It’s time to upgrade your strategy.
Step 3: Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) on Critical Systems
- Action: Enforce MFA for all critical accounts, including cloud services, email, VPNs, and admin consoles.
- How to Implement: Many platforms offer built-in MFA:
- Benefit: Add an extra layer of protection to prevent account takeovers. MFA can block 99.9% of automated attacks, proving how essential this is.
Step 4: Enable Passwordless Authentication (Where Possible)
- Action: Where possible, implement passwordless options like biometrics, that remove the weakness of a traditional password.
- How to Implement: Explore passwordless options on your key platforms and educate employees on this new tech, if available.
- Benefit: Makes passwords harder to steal and improves user experience. This helps reduce the risk of phishing attacks targeting employee passwords.
Step 5: Limit Privileged Access and Follow Principle of Least Privilege
- Action: Limit administrative privileges to only those who absolutely need them, and review this list often.
- How to Implement: Use an inventory system and user administration software to help.
- Benefit: Reduce your attack surface by controlling who has access to critical systems.
3. System Security (Advanced Techniques)
It’s time to go beyond the basic antivirus and start proactively scanning for vulnerabilities.
Step 6: Vulnerability Scanning
- Action: Regularly scan your internal and external systems using free or low-cost tools to identify vulnerabilities.
- How to Implement: Use open-source tools like:
- OpenVAS: https://www.openvas.org/ – A comprehensive tool to perform scans on network devices and servers.
- Benefit: Identify and mitigate vulnerabilities before they are exploited by cybercriminals. This can prevent attacks before they even begin.
Step 7: Endpoint Protection (Using Built-In Tools)
- Action: Leverage Windows Defender (or similar tools built into other operating systems) on all endpoints to protect against malware and threats.
- How to Implement: Turn on real-time protection, use the built-in malware and virus tools, and ensure that virus definitions are updated regularly.
- Benefit: Provides security to your systems without additional cost.
Step 8: Implement a DNS Filtering
- Action: Use free cloud-based services to implement a DNS filter that can block dangerous websites.
- How to Implement: Use services like Cloudflare to implement a DNS filter.
- Benefit: Enhance network security by actively blocking access to malicious sites.
4. Network Security (Going Beyond the Basics)
Secure your network with some advanced, yet low-cost strategies.
Step 9: Segment Your Network (Using VLANs)
- Action: Segment your network into VLANs (Virtual Local Area Networks) to isolate different types of devices and traffic.
- How to Implement: Use your router or network switch to configure VLANs for different departments or device types.
- Benefit: Limit the spread of malware and lateral movement if an attacker does gain access. This will greatly limit a hacker’s effectiveness.
Step 10: Implement Network Monitoring
- Action: Use free open-source monitoring tools to gain insights into network traffic and behavior.
- How to Implement: Implement solutions like:
- Zabbix: https://www.zabbix.com/ – A robust, free tool for network traffic monitoring.
- Benefit: Allows you to detect and stop breaches early, before any real damage is done. Organizations that implement a security information and event management (SIEM) system see a 20% faster response to security threats.
Step 11: Enable Logging
- Action: Enable log collection for your devices, servers, and network.
- How to Implement: Implement a logging strategy and use software to view the logs.
- Benefit: Provide critical insights into incidents and can improve response and recovery times. These logs help you improve your policies and procedures.
5. Data Protection (Going Deeper)
Your data is your lifeblood. Protect it with layers of backup and security.
Step 12: Automate Regular Backups (With Versioning)
- Action: Use automated backup tools and ensure backups have a versioning policy to protect against ransomware attacks.
- How to Implement: Utilize built-in tools on Windows or macOS for scheduled backups, and consider backing up to local and cloud sources.
- Benefit: Ensure data integrity and recovery in case of data corruption. 58% of companies have had their systems infected with ransomware. With a proper backup, it will allow you to resume business quickly and smoothly.
Step 13: Data Encryption at Rest (Where Possible)
- Action: If possible, enable encryption for data that is not being actively used, but is stored.
- How to Implement: Use your operating system’s built-in encryption tools to encrypt data.
- Benefit: Protect sensitive data from breaches. Encryption is one of the top cybersecurity technologies growing companies are investing in.
Conclusion and Next Steps:
These enhanced steps can significantly improve your cybersecurity posture as your company grows, without costing you a fortune. While you’re taking these crucial measures, be aware that for more complex protection like proactive threat hunting, incident response, or a professional risk assessment, you should consider working with a cybersecurity expert. Your data, your reputation, and your future depend on it.
Take the next step: Contact us at Wellforce for a free consultation to discuss how we can help you further secure your growing company!
[Contact Us for a Free Cybersecurity Assessment]
Additional Resources:
- The MITRE ATT&CK Framework: https://attack.mitre.org/ – A knowledge base of adversary tactics and techniques.
- The Center for Internet Security (CIS) Controls: https://www.cisecurity.org/controls/ – A set of prioritized security best practices.
