Baltimore is home to a thriving community of small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). The city itself is no stranger to major IT outages and cyberattacks. With cyberthreats on the rise, SMBs are often the primary target because hackers assume they have fewer defenses in place.
In this post, we’ll cover the most common IT security mistakes Baltimore businesses make and provide practical solutions to protect your company, employees, and customers.
Mistake #1: Thinking "We're Too Small to Be a Target"
Many Baltimore SMBs believe cybercriminals only go after large corporations. This is especially common for the smaller organizations and non-profits. That’s a dangerous assumption. According to the FBI, small businesses account for nearly half of all cyberattacks. Hackers know that smaller companies often lack strong security measures, making them an easy target.
The problem is that larger organizations usually have the capital to shrug off common cyberattacks, but for a smaller business, the disruption alone can be crippling.
The fix: Every business, regardless of size, needs a cybersecurity strategy. Implement firewalls, endpoint protection, and employee security training to reduce risks.
Mistake #2: Weak or Reused Passwords
If you, your staff, or your business accounts rely on simple passwords or reuse them across multiple accounts, it’s a problem. It makes it easy for hackers to gain access through brute-force attacks or credential stuffing (when stolen passwords from one site are used to log in elsewhere).
The fix: Require strong, unique passwords for every account. Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) to add an extra layer of security. Consider using password managers to store credentials securely.
Mistake #3: Ignoring Software Updates & Patches
Outdated software is one of the easiest ways for hackers to infiltrate your system. Cybercriminals exploit known vulnerabilities in old software to gain access to sensitive data. Windows updates tend to come out monthly, but other software, drivers, and applications may have their own updates. These updates provide stability fixes as well as security fixes, and in many cases are crucial to stay on top of.
The fix: Set up automatic updates for your operating systems, software, and security tools. If you use third-party applications, work with an IT service provider like Dresner Group to ensure your software is always up to date.
Mistake #4: No Data Backup or Disaster Recovery Plan
A ransomware attack or accidental data loss could cripple your business if you don’t have backups in place. Could your company survive if all its data was lost tomorrow?
The fix: Follow the 3-2-1 backup rule:
- 3 copies of your data
- 2 stored on different media
- 1 stored offsite (e.g., cloud backup)
Regularly test your backups to ensure they work when needed.
This sounds complicated, but we provide an extremely straightforward, comprehensive backup solution that covers everything above and then some. Plus, we actively monitor it to ensure your data is properly preserved.
Mistake #5: Lack of Employee Cybersecurity Training
Most cyberattacks happen because of human error—employees clicking on phishing emails, using weak passwords, or falling for social engineering scams.
The fix: Train your employees regularly on cybersecurity best practices. Conduct phishing simulations and educate your team on recognizing threats. When employees know what to look for, they become your first line of defense. A good place to start is with our How to Spot a Phishing Attack flyer, and a phishing simulation program for your team. You can grab the flyer and inquire about the phishing simulation program here.
Mistake #6: No IT Security Policy in Place
Many Baltimore businesses lack formal security policies, leading to inconsistent security practices. Without clear guidelines, employees may unknowingly put your business at risk.
A huge factor in cybersecurity is having the proper policies in place, both at a digital level and at a business level. On the digital side, you can enforce certain policies across the network, such as requiring MFA for Windows logins and requiring strong passwords. You can also establish zero-trust and need-to-know policies, which ensure that employees only have access to the folders and information that they need to perform their job, as opposed to having full access to everything.
The fix: Create an IT security policy that covers the following:
- Acceptable use of company devices
- Password and access management
- Incident response procedures
- Remote work security guidelines
Work with an IT professional to tailor policies to your business.
Mistake #7: Not Partnering with a Managed IT Provider
Managing IT security on your own can be overwhelming. Many Baltimore SMBs lack the in-house expertise to handle cybersecurity threats effectively, leaving gaps in their defenses. Often, these tasks are delegated to the most technical person on staff. That can work for a while, but if that person has other responsibilities, it’s likely that critical IT tasks will get put on the back burner.
Cybersecurity best practices change so rapidly that even the most technical people might struggle to keep up, unless cybersecurity is their full-time job and they are always working diligently to stay on the cusp of the cybersecurity world.
The fix: Partnering with a local managed IT services provider ensures your security is proactive, not reactive. A dedicated IT team will monitor, manage, and secure your business 24/7.
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