5 Common Security Mistakes SMBs Make
43% of cyberattacks target small businesses — yet most SMBs are still making the same five fixable mistakes. Here is what they are and how to close the gaps.
By William Bradshaw — February 17, 2025 — 6 min read
The average cost of a data breach for a small business is $120,000 — enough to permanently close 60% of them within six months. Yet when we audit SMB networks, we find the same five security gaps over and over. None of them require a large budget to fix. Most just require someone to make the call.
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 our managed services team addresses 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: Layered Defense — Not One Size Fits All
Every business has a different risk profile, budget, and tolerance for downtime. We build the right stack for your situation — not a package deal. That typically means layering:
- Managed AV + EDR — behavioral detection that catches threats traditional signatures miss
- DNS filtering — blocks malicious domains before a connection is ever made, stopping phishing and malware delivery at the network level
- Tested backups + BCDR — immutable, off-site backups with a defined Recovery Time Objective, tested quarterly so you know they work before you need them
We offer both fully managed and co-managed IT models — whether you need us to own security operations entirely or want to work alongside your internal team. The right fit depends on your environment, not a predetermined package.
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. Our netvuln-tool platform continuously scans for unpatched vulnerabilities so the first time you hear about a missing patch isn't from an attacker.
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.
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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.