5 Critical Cybersecurity Mistakes Business Owners Make
Danni
We know from experience: owning a business—while deeply rewarding—is a constant juggling act. It often feels like you’re spinning 15 plates at once. Just when you think you’ve found balance, another item gets added to the list.
One area that consistently causes issues for business owners? IT and cybersecurity. Specifically, cybersecurity mistakes that we see time and time again—errors that can cost companies everything. Whether it’s due to misinformation, lack of resources, or simply being overwhelmed, too many businesses fall into the same traps.
Here are the top 5 cybersecurity mistakes we see business owners make—and how to avoid them:
1. Not Taking Cyber Threats Seriously
There’s a persistent myth that cyber threats are just scare tactics pushed by IT companies. They’re seen as the digital version of the “monster under the bed.”
That mindset is dangerous.
We’ve seen too many businesses suffer because they didn’t take threats seriously. These types of cybersecurity mistakes can lead to devastating financial and reputational consequences. One single data breach can cripple a small or medium-sized business—sometimes permanently. Cyber-criminals target businesses of all sizes, and unfortunately, many take a reactive approach rather than a proactive one. By the time they act, it’s already too late.
2. The “Good Enough” Mindset
“We’ve got antivirus software—good enough.”
“My cousin’s friend is good with computers—he can handle it.”
“We’ll just use whatever security tools came with the computer.”
We hear these all the time. But “good enough” isn’t good enough—especially when it comes to protecting your business.
Free or low-cost solutions rarely offer the layered protection you truly need. IT support is not one-size-fits-all, and your cybersecurity strategy should be tailored to your unique business needs. Trusting your business to amateurs or relying solely on built-in tools is like letting your neighbor perform surgery in their garage. You wouldn’t risk your health—so don’t risk your business.
3. Underestimating the Cost of Downtime
Most business owners have considered what a few hours of downtime might cost. But what about a few days—or even weeks?
If your systems go down due to a ransomware attack, data breach, or other failure, the financial and reputational damage can be enormous. Think about lost productivity, missed client opportunities, compliance penalties, and long-term brand damage.
Business continuity planning is crucial. That means having both disaster recovery protocols and cybersecurity protections in place before something happens—not after.
4. Assuming “It Won’t Happen to Us”
We get it—everyone wants to believe they’re the exception. But when it comes to cyber-crime, no one is immune.
We’ve seen recent successful attacks on:
- DMV offices
- Auto dealerships (affected across the nation)
- Dental practices
- Local imaging centers
- National corporations
The mindset of “it won’t happen to us” is a costly one. In fact, 60% of small to medium-sized businesses close within six months of a cyberattack. It’s not a question of if you’ll be targeted—it’s a question of when.
Will you be prepared?
5. Failing to Plan for the Long Game
Running a business requires flexibility, yes—but also strategy. When it comes to IT and cybersecurity, success depends on smart, long-term planning.
Shockingly, many businesses don’t have an Incident Response Plan (IRP) —one of the most overlooked cybersecurity mistakes we encounter. That means if they’re hit by ransomware, suffer a data breach, or even face a natural disaster, they have no written protocol for what to do next.
- Who to call
- What systems to shut down
- How to communicate with clients
- What steps to take to recover safely and quickly
Without a plan, panic takes over. And panic costs time, money, and credibility.
Final Thoughts
As business owners, we understand the pressure to cut corners, save time, and juggle priorities. But cybersecurity isn’t an area where shortcuts pay off. The risks are too high.
Take proactive steps, invest in real protection, and create a roadmap for resilience. Your future self—and your bottom line—will thank you.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, it’s okay– we know Cyber Security can seem daunting. That’s why we’re offering you a NO COST Cyber Security Risk Analysis– where we analyze your network, settings and more to discover any potential holes in your protection, and areas that could use reinforcement. We’ll also help you come up with a comprehensive, individual plan based on your business, specific concerns, and needs. Call to schedule a discovery call with us a 541-494-2099 OR go to CLICK HERE to schedule at your convenience.