April 07, 2025
A client recently asked me, "What
mistakes do you see business owners making the most when it comes to IT and
cybersecurity?"
Oh, where to begin…
After years of working with businesses
of all sizes, the biggest mistake I see time and again is treating IT and
cybersecurity as an afterthought. It doesn't matter how many data breaches are
in the news; I see business owner after business owner either underestimating
the real risks of cyberthreats or assuming that setting up some basic
protections is enough. I hate to be the one to break it to you, but it's not
enough. A single breach, ransomware attack or IT failure can cripple your
business overnight. And yet, too many companies take a reactive approach - prioritizing
security only after something goes wrong - which, guess what, is more tiresome
and more expensive.
Another common mistake? Thinking free
software is "good enough." Look, I get it. Free antivirus programs,
consumer-grade routers and DIY security setups seem like an easy way to save
money, especially when you're a small business and inflation is everywhere. But
those "savings" quickly evaporate when your business suffers a data breach,
faces compliance fines or loses critical client trust. If you wouldn't run your business on a free spreadsheet app, why
would you trust your entire security infrastructure to bargain-bin software?
Then, there's the issue of
underestimating the cost of downtime. Many businesses assume they can afford to
be offline for a few hours if something breaks. But when your network goes
down, your team can't work for hours or even days, your customers can't access
your services and you start hemorrhaging money. A solid IT strategy isn't just
about security - it's about ensuring operational continuity so that when
disaster strikes (and to some degree, it will), you don't have to scramble to
recover.
And finally, the most overlooked mistake
is failing to plan for the long game. IT and cybersecurity aren't
set-it-and-forget-it investments. Threats evolve, technology changes and
hackers get more sophisticated every day. If you're not proactively assessing,
updating and reinforcing your security posture, you're already falling behind.
At the end of the day, you need to
protect what you've built.
So, what's the solution? I'll give it to
you straight.
- Stop taking shortcuts.
Invest in professional-grade IT and security solutions, not band-aid
fixes.
- Think
long-term. A solid cybersecurity plan isn't a onetime project - it's an
ongoing commitment.
- Get
expert guidance. You don't have to (and shouldn't) navigate the
complexities of IT security alone. Surround yourself with people who know
what they're doing and can help you stay ahead of the curve.
If you're ready to take IT and
cybersecurity seriously, let's talk. Click
here to book a free 10-minute Security Assessment, and let's make sure
your business isn't one click away from disaster.