5 Common Security Mistakes SMBs Make
Discover the critical security gaps that could be putting your business at risk and the proactive steps required to fix them.
Many small and medium-sized businesses believe they are "too small" to be targeted by cybercriminals. In reality, hackers view SMBs as low-hanging fruit—organizations with valuable data but often lacking the sophisticated defenses of enterprise corporations.
At Bullium Consulting, we audit network and device security to prevent vulnerabilities before they are exploited. Below are the five most common errors we see in the field and how we address them.
Mistake: Relying Solely on Basic Antivirus
Traditional antivirus software relies on "signatures"—a list of known viruses. If a hacker creates a brand new threat (Zero-Day exploit), your antivirus won't recognize it until it's too late.
The Bullium Fix: Integrated Security Stack
We implement Managed AV combined with Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR). EDR looks for suspicious behavior (like ransomware encrypting files) rather than just file names, stopping threats that traditional AV misses.
Mistake: Ignoring Software Updates (Patching)
That "Remind Me Later" button is a security risk. Software vendors release patches to fix known holes in their code. Hackers actively scan the internet for businesses that haven't applied these patches yet.
The Bullium Fix: Proactive Patch Management
We proactively patch, update, and manage both client applications and the network infrastructure. We automate this process to keep all software secure and up-to-date without interrupting your workday.
Mistake: Weak Passwords & No Multi-Factor Authentication
Using the same password across multiple sites or sharing passwords via email is a recipe for disaster. If one site is breached, your entire network is compromised.
The Bullium Fix: Identity Management
We utilize a centralized stack via tools like Syncro and JumpCloud to enforce Password Management and Privileged Access Management (PAM). We ensure proper credentials are managed securely during onboarding and offboarding.
Mistake: Lack of a Tested Backup Strategy
Many businesses think they have backups, but they haven't tested them. In a ransomware attack, local backups are often encrypted alongside your files.
The Bullium Fix: Business Continuity (BC/DR)
We implement cloud backups to ensure data is safe and easily restorable. We define your Recovery Time Objective (RTO)—how fast you need to be back up—and test the plan quarterly to ensure it works when you need it most.
Mistake: Unsecured Email Gateways
Phishing remains the #1 delivery method for malware. Without proper authentication protocols, your domain can be spoofed, or malicious emails can land directly in employee inboxes.
The Bullium Fix: Email Authentication
As part of our integrated security stack, we implement robust Email Authentication protocols. Furthermore, we optimize email efficiency with tagging and rules for Google Workspace and Microsoft O365 to better filter external threats.
Is Your Business Protected?
Don't wait for a breach to find out where your security gaps are. Our Managed Services Delivery Core provides 24/7 proactive monitoring to identify and resolve issues before they impact your business.