Practical, high-impact best practices to reduce phishing, ransomware, and account takeovers in 2026.
Small and mid-size organizations are common targets for hackers. According to Halcyon’s 2025 report, ransomware made up 88 percent of its incident response cases for small and medium-sized business customers. That is over double the rate seen in large businesses, which is at 39 percent. The takeaway: preventing account takeover and limiting blast radius are the fastest ways to reduce real-world risk for your business.
Cybersecurity isn’t just an IT problem; it is a business continuity, customer trust, and financial risk issue. In 2026, attackers increasingly rely on stolen credentials, phishing, and ransomware to disrupt operations and extract payments. Use these 10 tips to strengthen your cybersecurity quickly.
1. Turn on Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Stolen passwords are still the easiest way into business email, cloud apps, and financial tools. MFA adds a second (or third) proof of identity, making credential theft far less useful to attackers.
- Enable MFA on email, accounting/payroll, CRM, VPN/remote access, and any other admin computers and devices.
- Use passkeys, security keys, or authenticator apps over SMS codes where possible.
- Require MFA for any employees accessing sensitive data.
2. Use a Password Manager for your Business
Using the same password everywhere is risky. If one account gets hacked, attackers can try that password on other accounts too. A password manager helps everyone create and store strong, different passwords safely.
- Pick one company-approved password manager for employees to use.
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- Our cybersecurity experts use LastPass to ensure all SPEROS company passwords are safe and encrypted.
- Don’t store passwords in spreadsheets, documents, or chat messages.
- Change important passwords when employees leave or outside vendors no longer need access.
3. Keep Software Updated
Hackers often break into systems using old software with known security problems. Updates fix those problems.
- Turn on automatic updates for computers, browsers, phones, and business software.
- Remove old software or devices that no longer get security updates.
- Update internet-connected systems first, like email, remote access, and websites.
4. Protect Your Email from Scams and Phishing
Email is one of the most common ways hackers trick people into clicking bad links, downloading malware, or sending money.
- Turn on spam, phishing, and malware protection in your email system.
- Label emails that come from outside your company when possible.
- Always verify payment requests or bank account changes by calling a trusted phone number first.
5. Apply the Least Amount of Privilege Possible
In the tech world, this is called the Principle of Least Privilege. Limiting access reduces blast radius and makes suspicious activity easier to spot. When attackers get in, they look for elevated privileges to disable security tools, access customer data, and spread across systems.
- Give employees the minimum access needed for their job (role-based access).
- Separate daily-use accounts from admin accounts; admins should have a dedicated admin login.
- Review admin membership monthly and remove unused accounts immediately.
6. Protect Company Computers and Devices
Laptops and desktops are still a common target for ransomware and credential theft.
- Turn on device encryption so stolen devices can’t easily be accessed.
- Use antivirus or modern security software on all company devices.
- Using security monitoring solutions to quickly detect external threat actors.
7. Segment Networks and Lock Down Wi-Fi + Remote Access
An insecure network can give attackers an easy way into your business.
- Use separate Wi-Fi networks for employees, guests, and smart devices like printers or cameras.
- Change default router passwords and use strong Wi-Fi security settings.
- Require MFA for remote access or VPN logins.
Our team can ensure you are secure alongside our partners at SonicWall. SonicWall’s Cloud Secure Edge provides a Secure Access Services Edge (SASE) solution that is an elevated firewall that enables users to be able to access all their applications remotely. A good use case example of this is for sales and on-site service technicians. They are able to access anything they need right from their on-site locations in a secure way as if they are right there in the office.
8. Back Up Your Data and Make Sure You Can Get It Back
Backups are like extra copies of your important work. If something gets deleted or a virus locks your files, backups help you get everything back.
A good way to do this is called the 3‑2‑1 rule:
- Keep three copies of your data
- Store them in two different places or types (like a computer and the cloud)
- Keep one copy somewhere separate (not connected to your main system)
9. Monitor Sign-ins and Logs
Many attacks can be spotted early if you pay attention to the warning signs. The SPEROS team can provide 24/7 monitoring that gives you peace of mind even when you’re not at the office.
- Turn on alerts for suspicious logins or repeated failed login attempts.
- Get notified if large amounts of files are downloaded or deleted.
- Review important security logs regularly if possible.
10. Have a Plan for Cyber Emergencies
When an incident happens, speed and clarity matter. A one-page plan helps your team contain damage, communicate correctly, and restore operations without panic.
- Decide who handles what during a cyber incident.
- Write simple steps for common problems like hacked accounts, stolen laptops, or ransomware.
- Keep important contact information saved somewhere safe and easy to access.
The best cybersecurity program is the one your business can execute consistently. Start with MFA, patching, backups, and email protections. Then add monitoring and a simple incident response plan. If a lot of what you read above doesn’t make sense, our team of certified cybersecurity professionals can help. No matter where your cybersecurity is currently, give us a call today to assess where you are and help you get to where you need it to be!
