The holiday season often brings a flurry of activity, not just for shoppers and businesses, but also for cybercriminals. With increased online transactions, remote work, and year-end system updates, small businesses are especially vulnerable to cyberattacks during this time.
That’s why TechGN is introducing “12 Days of Cyber Hygiene”, a daily cybersecurity checklist packed with actionable tips to safeguard your digital assets. Whether you’re a small business owner, IT decision-maker, or office manager, these 12 cyber safety habits are designed to be simple, effective, and easy to implement.
Day 1: Update All Your Software
Outdated software is one of the easiest ways for hackers to gain entry. Start your cybersecurity journey by ensuring all operating systems, web browsers, business apps, and firmware are up to date.
Cybersecurity Keywords: software updates, patch management, vulnerabilities, exploit protection
Tip: Turn on auto-updates for mission-critical systems and third-party applications like Adobe, Microsoft Office, and Chrome.
Day 2: Use Strong, Unique Passwords
Passwords are your business’s first line of defense, but reusing them is a major risk. Each account, especially admin or financial ones, should have a unique and complex password.
Best Practice: Use a mix of letters, numbers, and special characters.
Cyber Terms: password entropy, brute force protection, password vault
Recommended Tool: Consider using a business-grade password manager like LastPass, Dashlane, or 1Password Teams.
Day 3: Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
MFA adds an extra layer of security beyond passwords. Even if a password gets stolen, an attacker can’t access your data without the second verification step.
Examples: OTPs via SMS, authenticator apps (Google Authenticator), biometrics
Semantic Keywords: two-step verification, identity access management (IAM), secure login
TechGN Tip: Enable MFA on all email, banking, and cloud software accounts.
Day 4: Educate Your Team on Phishing Scams
Phishing emails are still the #1 way cybercriminals trick employees. One bad click can lead to ransomware, data leaks, or worse.
Watch for: Poor grammar, strange email domains, urgent payment requests
LSI Keywords: email spoofing, social engineering, malicious links
Training: Conduct a quick “cyber hygiene awareness” workshop or simulate phishing tests to prepare your team.
Day 5: Backup Your Data Regularly
Imagine losing your files to ransomware or accidental deletion. Data backups are your insurance policy against disaster.
Backup Strategies:
- Use the 3-2-1 rule (3 copies, 2 formats, 1 off-site)
- Backup financial records, client data, and project files
Entities: cloud backup services (Backblaze, Acronis, Carbonite), NAS systems, external drives
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Day 6: Secure Your Wi-Fi Network
Your office Wi-Fi should never be an open door for hackers. Improper router setups can lead to unauthorized access and data eavesdropping.
Secure Practices:
- Change default router credentials
- Use WPA3 encryption
- Hide SSID or limit visibility
Tech Terms: network segmentation, guest network, MAC address filtering
Brand Tip: Ensure your staff or coworking space follows the same cyber hygiene standards.
Day 7: Limit Admin Access
Not every employee needs full access to your systems. Role-based access control (RBAC) minimizes risk by giving users only the permissions they need.
Scenarios:
- Bookkeepers don’t need CRM data
- Interns shouldn’t access sensitive client folders
Tools: Microsoft 365 Admin Center, Google Workspace Admin, JumpCloud
Day 8: Install Antivirus and Endpoint Protection
While no antivirus is 100% foolproof, modern endpoint protection systems (EPS) combine antivirus with behavioral analysis, threat detection, and firewall protections.
Options: Bitdefender GravityZone, Sophos Intercept X, CrowdStrike Falcon
For SMBs: Pick antivirus software that includes remote management for devices used at home or in the field.
Related Terms: malware prevention, zero-day protection, ransomware detection
Day 9: Protect Your Business Email
Business Email Compromise (BEC) attacks can cost companies thousands, or more. These scams often involve impersonating a CEO, vendor, or finance team to redirect payments.
How to Prevent:
- Add SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records
- Flag external emails with a warning
- Set up approval workflows for large transfers
Cyber Entities: email gateways (Mimecast, Proofpoint), phishing filters, domain authentication
Pro Tip: Use email monitoring tools to detect spoofed or lookalike domains.
Day 10: Perform a Device Audit
Know what devices are connected to your business network, especially as more employees use personal phones or laptops (BYOD).
Checklist:
- Laptops, phones, printers, IoT devices
- Are they encrypted and protected by passwords?
- Are old employee accounts still active?
Relevant Phrases: endpoint inventory, mobile device management (MDM), rogue device detection
Use Cases: Intune, JAMF, or other MDM tools to enforce device compliance.
Day 11: Secure Your Website
Your website can be a cyberattack vector, especially if you collect customer data or host payment gateways.
Essentials:
- Install SSL/TLS certificate
- Use secure plugins and themes
- Keep CMS (e.g., WordPress) up to date
Common Threats: SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), DDoS attacks
Recommended Tools: Cloudflare, Wordfence, Sucuri, and web application firewalls (WAF)
Day 12: Create an Incident Response Plan
Even the most secure businesses can experience a cyber incident. What matters is how quickly you respond and recover.
What to Include:
- Point-of-contact person (internal or outsourced IT)
- Steps for containment, communication, and recovery
- When to notify customers or authorities
Entities: NIST Cybersecurity Framework, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) guidelines
Action: Review this plan quarterly and test it annually.
Bonus Tip: Stay Informed with Cybersecurity News
Cyber hygiene is not a one-time holiday checklist, it’s a continuous process. Keep yourself informed of emerging threats and technologies.
Where to Follow:
- TechGN’s Blog & Newsletter
- CISA.gov
- Krebs on Security
- National Cybersecurity Alliance
Don’t wait for a breach to take cybersecurity seriously.
Contact TechGN now a free cybersecurity assessment with TechGN today and get customized protection recommendations for your business.
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