Cybersecurity Checklist

Protect Your Company from Cyber Threats

Is your small business prepared for a cyberattack?

Dive into this cybersecurity checklist and find out.

Did you know 43% of cyberattacks target small businesses—and most aren’t ready.

One breach can cost you thousands, damage your reputation and even shut down operations.

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1️⃣ Identify

Know What You’re Protecting

• Inventory your assets – List every device, system and piece of software you use.

• Classify sensitive data – Pinpoint customer info, financial records and IP. Track where it’s stored and who accesses it.

• Run risk assessments – Spot vulnerabilities and gauge the impact of potential breaches.

• Check vendor risks – Make sure third-party partners don’t introduce weak spots.

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💡 FUN FACT: The average cyberattack costs $200,000—enough to shut many down. Prevention is far cheaper!

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2️⃣ Protect

Guard Your Business Like a Fort

• Limit Access – Role-based permissions = only what’s needed, nothing more.

• Strong Passwords + 2FA – Require complex logins and enable two-factor authentication.

• Train Your Team– Phishing awareness and safe data handling should be routine.

• Firewalls & VPNs – Block bad actors and secure remote access.

• Encrypt Everything – Data at rest and in transit.

• Secure Mobile Devices– Don’t forget smartphones and tablets.

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💡 FUN FACT: The most common password is still “123456.” Don’t let that be your team!

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3️⃣ Detect

Stay Alert for Suspicious Activity

• Monitor networks 24/7 – Use automated tools to flag unusual patterns.

• Intrusion detection – Catch problems before they explode.

• Log management – Regularly review system logs for red flags.

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4️⃣ Respond

Have a Plan Before Disaster Strikes

• Incident response plan – Everyone should know their role in a breach.

• Build a response team – Assign who detects, contains and resolves issues.

• Contain & isolate – Quarantine infected devices fast.

• Communicate – Notify customers, partners and regulators transparently.

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💡 FUN FACT: 90% of cyberattacks start with phishing emails. Training staff is your best defense!

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5️⃣ Recover

Bounce Back Quickly

• Automated backups – Store copies in the cloud and offline. Test them regularly.

• Business continuity plan – Map out what must get back online first.

• Review & improve – Learn from each incident.

• Cyber insurance – Cover costs like legal fees and data recovery.

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💡 FUN FACT:Companies without an incident plan are 3x more likely to be targeted.

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6️⃣ Continuous Improvement

Stay Ahead of Hackers

• Update everything – Apply software and security patches ASAP.

• Cybersecurity audits – Schedule regular checkups on policies and defenses.

• Penetration testing – Hire pros to “hack” you before criminals do.

• Stay compliant – Keep up with GDPR, HIPAA, CCPA and industry regs.

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🎯 Quick Wins

for Extra Protection

✅ Use a password manager to create and store strong passwords.
✅ Separate guest vs. business Wi-Fi networks.
✅ Run phishing simulations to test employees.
✅ Partner with an MSP for peace of mind.

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💡 FUN FACT: Following these steps can reduce your cyber risk by up to 80%!

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⚠️ Stay vigilant, keep improving, and know that every step strengthens your business.

For more free resources, check out the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

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Protect Your Business

with a Trusted Cybersecurity Partner

SkyTide helps businesses stay secure, compliant and resilient with:

• Proactive protection – Stop threats before they hit.

• Tailored solutions – No cookie-cutter fixes here.

• Expert guidance – Real people, real support.

• Simplified compliance – Stay audit-ready without the stress.

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Ready to level up your security?

Schedule Your Free Cybersecurity Assessment

📞 855-SKY-TIDE