Cybersecurity On A Budget: Small Steps, Big Impact

• July 8, 2025
• Article

As a proud Preferred Vendor with Affiliated Distributors, we are committed to delivering exceptional solutions to our customers. Our inventory and accounting software handles core business processes, from purchasing and receiving to sales and delivery.

Ryan Moline – Head of Information Security

Let’s face it. Cybersecurity can feel complex, technical, and even a bit intimidating. But protecting your data and systems isn’t just an IT concern; it’s a business imperative.

Many important security steps are now required for cybersecurity insurance, which should be a baseline protection for any organization. Insurers demand protections like multi-factor authentication and data backups before offering coverage or honoring claims.

The good news is several of these measures are free or low-cost and require only awareness and consistency, not a massive budget. Small actions taken today can make a big difference in raising cybersecurity awareness for your business.

Use Strong, Unique Passwords

Passwords are often the first line of defense. Still reusing passwords across systems? Hackers love that. Weak or repeated credentials are one of the easiest ways attackers get in. The fix is simple: use a secure password manager to create and store strong, unique passwords for every account.

Improve Password Hygiene

1. 1. Don’t reuse passwords across systems
   2. Create long, complex passwords stored in a password manager
   3. Use tools like haveibeenpwned.com to check for compromised credentials

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Even a strong password can be stolen. MFA adds a second step, like a mobile app prompt, that dramatically reduces the chance of a breach. It requires you to verify your identity in more than one way with something you know (a password) and something you have (like a mobile device). It’s simple, powerful, and increasingly required for cyber insurance eligibility. Many business software applications will have this option built in to enable for your business.

Get Started

1. 1. Enable MFA on all business-critical accounts
   2. Use app-based authentication (e.g., DUO, Microsoft Authenticator)
   3. Require it for everyone, not just admin users

Phishing Awareness

Most breaches begin with a single click. Phishing emails often mimic trusted sources, such as a customer or employee, and trick users into clicking harmful links or providing sensitive information. Because phishing preys on human trust, training and awareness go a long way in stopping these attacks before they start.

Quick Wins

1. 1. Train employees to spot red flags before clicking
   2. Inspect sender names, links, and attachments
   3. Make reporting suspicious emails easy and encouraged

Keep Software and Devices Updated

Software developers release updates to fix security flaws as they’re discovered. But if those updates aren’t applied, your systems stay vulnerable. Keeping computers, phones, servers, and other connected devices current is a foundational part of maintaining a secure environment.

Take Control

1. 1. Enable automatic updates wherever possible
   2. Reboot devices regularly to apply software updates
   3. Assign someone to manage updates and system maintenance

Solid Backup and Recovery Planning

Insurance might help cover costs, but it can’t recover your data. That’s why backups matter. A solid backup strategy is your business’s safety net if ransomware, hardware failure, or human error strike. Think of it as a form of business continuity planning. If systems were down for hours or days, how would your team serve customers, access records, or communicate? Recovery plans are essential to continue operations when systems go offline for an extended period.

Best Practices

1. 1. Follow the 3-2-1 rule: 3 copies of data, on 2 types of media, with 1 stored offsite
   2. Use both local and cloud-based backups
   3. Regularly test your recovery process and document key steps

Cybersecurity doesn’t have to be complex, but it does have to be intentional. The most powerful defense starts with awareness, and everyone has a role to play. Start small. Build consistency. And know that the protections you put in place today are the same ones that help secure your future, and keep you insurable.