Cybersecurity can feel overwhelming, but small, consistent habits make a big difference — especially for business owners. Below are five habits you can start today, each backed by real numbers.
1. Think Before You Click
Phishing is a top way attackers break in. Around 36% of all data breaches involve phishing. StationX+1
Also, 95% of data breaches involve some type of human error. SC Media
So when you get an unexpected email or message, pause. Hover over links, double-check the sender, and if it seems off, verify via a trusted method. As a business owner, teach this to your team — one click can put your whole network at risk.
2. Use Strong Passwords
Weak passwords are still everywhere, and they make it easy for hackers to break in. Instead of simple, guessable words, use a mix of random words, numbers, and symbols.
For business, a password manager is a lifesaver — it keeps everything secure without anyone needing to remember dozens of complex passwords.
3. Turn On Multi-Factor Authentication
Adding an extra verification step (a code, app prompt, etc.) makes it much harder for attackers — even if they have the password. In fact, Microsoft reports that MFA blocks over 99.2% of account compromise attacks. Microsoft Learn
Other sources say MFA can prevent 80–90% of cyberattacks. eftsure
Enable MFA on everything that supports it: email, bank accounts, business tools. For your company, consider enforcing it for all user accounts.
4. Keep Software Updated
Those “update now” notifications aren’t there to annoy you — they patch security holes. If you skip updates, you leave doors open for attackers.
As a business owner, make a schedule (or automate) for updates and patches across all devices your team uses. It’s a proactive way to reduce risk.
5. Back Up Your Data
Ransomware or hardware failures can happen. Without a backup, you can lose everything.
Set backups to run automatically (cloud or local). Periodically test your backups to make sure you can restore your data. For businesses, use encrypted backup solutions that protect data even if the storage is breached.
Bottom Line
Cybersecurity isn’t only for tech experts — it’s for anyone who uses a device connected to the internet.
By adopting these five habits, you defend yourself and your business in a powerful way.
At NableIT, we help businesses put these habits into practice with systems and policies that are simple, effective, and low-friction.
Want help implementing any of these? Let’s talk.