Our company has fewer than 20 employees and no in-house IT staff, yet we're entrusted with sensitive customer data. I'm looking for advice on a simple yet effective cybersecurity setup. If you had to choose just three top priorities for securing our business, what would they be?
5 Answers
Honestly, hiring a Managed Service Provider (MSP) to handle your IT is the best route for a business of your size. They can get you set up properly without the fuss of managing everything in-house. Just a few hours a month can keep your systems maintained and secure.
Understanding your compliance requirements is critical when handling sensitive data. You should have a clear understanding of what regulations apply to your business. Start with a data classification policy, assess the gaps in your security posture, and build out your procedures accordingly. This foundation will help you select the right technologies without jumping into tech solutions too quickly.
Exactly! Every aspect of security should be documented, ensuring accountability and a solid plan for if things go sideways.
Since you don’t have an IT team, it's smart to consult an IT security firm. Their expertise will help you figure out what tech solutions you really need and how to secure them properly. Start with a solid identity management system for your users and enforce multi-factor authentication for all access points. After that, focus on treating sensitive data correctly, including encryption and a disaster recovery plan.
For my top three essentials, I’d focus on backups, endpoint detection and response (EDR), and developing a usage policy for corporate devices. Being compliant with legal requirements regarding sensitive data should also be a priority. Protecting against exposed endpoints is key—one misconfigured one could lead to serious issues!
If you're using Windows machines, I'd recommend starting with a Microsoft 365 Business Premium plan. It has essential features like device management with Intune, email filtering, and Microsoft Defender for Business to keep threats at bay. Plus, it offers multi-factor authentication to secure access.
And don't forget about integrating OneDrive for file sharing and backups! It’s crucial for keeping things safe.
Definitely a solid suggestion! Just remember to configure your Conditional Access policies to limit logins to your country, unless your team needs to work remotely. It really helps prevent unauthorized access!
Absolutely! Most companies I’ve seen around your size benefit hugely from having an MSP. They can handle everything from basic support to full cybersecurity management.