🛡️ 5 Signs Your Small Business Network Isn’t Secure (And How to Fix It)

Cybersecurity Isn’t Just for Big Companies

Every week, I speak with small business owners who assume they’re “too small to be hacked.” But the truth is, attackers prefer small targets — especially those with weak protection.

A single phishing email or misconfigured router can lead to data loss, ransomware, or even stolen customer information.

Here are five red flags your network might not be secure — and what you can do about it.

1. 🔓 You’re Still Using the ISP’s Default Router

Most internet providers install a basic modem/router combo that has:

• Weak firewalls

• Default admin credentials

• No threat protection

Fix: Upgrade to a business-grade firewall (like FortiGate, SonicWall, or Cisco Meraki) with VPN, logging, and access controls.

2. 🧑‍💻 Anyone Can Access Everything

If every employee has access to all folders, shared drives, and cloud services — that’s a problem. One wrong click on a phishing link could compromise your entire system.

Fix: Implement role-based access. Use permissions to ensure users can only see what they need to. Use tools like Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace admin panels for granular control.

3. 🕵️‍♂️ You Have No Idea What’s Happening on the Network

If you don’t know:

• Who’s using bandwidth

• What sites employees visit

• Whether strange devices are connected

…then you’re flying blind.

Fix: Install network monitoring tools. Business firewalls like Fortinet let you see logs, alerts, and bandwidth usage. This visibility is key to detecting threats early.

4. 📧 You’re Not Using Email Security or 2FA

Email is still the #1 attack vector for small businesses. If you don’t have basic protections in place, you’re asking for trouble.

Fix:

• Enable 2FA (two-factor authentication) on all accounts

• Use email security tools like Microsoft Defender, SpamTitan, or FortiMail

• Train your team to spot phishing attempts

5. 🔄 You Don’t Have Backups (Or Never Tested Them)

Imagine getting hit by ransomware and having no clean backups. That’s game over.

Fix:

• Automate daily or weekly backups of key systems

• Store at least one copy offline or in the cloud (like Wasabi, Backblaze, or OneDrive for Business)

• Test your restores at least once a quarter

🚧 Real-World Example: One Client’s Wake-Up Call

A small law firm contacted me after losing access to client files due to a ransomware attack. Their backup drive was connected to the infected PC — so it got encrypted too.

We helped them rebuild with:

• A Fortinet firewall + VPN

• Cloud-based backup

• Staff security awareness training

Now, they’re better protected than most larger firms.

👨‍💻 Need Help Securing Your Network?

I offer remote and on-site audits for small businesses — evaluating:

• Firewall & router configuration

• Access control policies

• Backup & recovery plans

• Cloud security settings

➡️ Schedule your free 15-minute consult