How to Build a Cybersecurity Program for a Small Business

Small businesses have one priority: grow!

However, focusing only on growth could lead to overlooking the critical importance of cybersecurity in their daily operations. Even when their B2B clients point out the lack of security, the sheer complexity of building and managing a robust cybersecurity program can feel overwhelming, leaving business owners uncertain about where to start.

The rapid pace of digital transformation has made business operations more complex than ever. Protecting a business with this evolution in mind demands specialized expertise, tools, and resources – investments many SMBs would instead channel into fueling sales and product development. However, the cost of neglecting cybersecurity is far greater than the price of prevention. A single cyberattack can result in devastating financial losses and damaged reputation. If one thing is difficult to get back, that is reputation. 

To protect their future, SMBs and start-ups should take a proactive stance. This means prioritizing cybersecurity as a fundamental business need, fostering a culture of cyber awareness within their teams, and establishing clear, enforceable IT security policies and controls. These actions mitigate the risk of attacks and empower businesses to grow confidently. Cybersecurity isn’t just a technical requirement – it’s the foundation of trust and resilience.

Step 1: Lay the Foundation

1.1 Understand the Importance of Cybersecurity (it might turn out it is NOT important for you!)

Not all businesses need a cybersecurity program. Or at least not all companies would benefit equally from it. 

It could be important, if you have B2B clients or work as a military contractor or a government contractor for important projects involving confidential information. It could be important for you, if your B2B clients ask you to prove you are secure on a regular basis. But if you work in an industry where you don’t collect or process confidential information or PII/medical data, then cybersecurity is not important for you, or at least not as important. 

Let me share a story. 

There was a small cosmetics company, with just 3 employees, that contacted us when their office network got shut down by a supposed ‘hacking attack’. 

Turned out, the accounting software they were using belonged and was developed by a company which couldn’t care less about cybersecurity. As a result, ALL their clients got hacked simultaneously, because of a critical flaw in their software. 

That small cosmetics company fell victim not because they were targeted by hackers, or because they held critically confidential and valuable data (they did not!), but because the software they were using was a target. 

Was cybersecurity important to them? No. 

Did they still fall victim to a hacking attack? Yes. 

Could they have prevented the problem? Yes, of course. If they had the right security configuration on their desktops and server, they could have simply restored from a backup… 

But I digress. The importance of having a cybersecurity program and executing it the right way depends on your business and the data you hold, as well as on the systems you use. 

Step 2: Assess Risks and Current Security Posture

2.1 Conduct a Security Assessment

• Identify assets (e.g., customer data, intellectual property, systems, cloud services).
• Assess threats and vulnerabilities (e.g., phishing, unpatched software, misconfigured services, improper authentication or access control).
• Use frameworks like NIST’s 800-53 v4 or v5 or CMMC as the foundation of your security assessment, as they are the most comprehensive in terms of security controls covered.

2.2 Perform a Gap Analysis

• Compare current practices to standards in NIST 800-53 and ISO 27001.
• Identify areas requiring improvement, such as encryption, incident response, or backups.

2.3 Establish a Security Policy

Develop a formal cybersecurity policy based on ISO 27001 Annex A.5 (Information Security Policies). You could also use a list of policies from CMMC or NIST best practice recommendations. In the end, you will have more than 20 different policy documents and a bunch of procedures, depending on the complexity of your IT operations. 

2.4 Define Roles and Responsibilities

• Assign a security champion or designate a part-time security officer.
• Identify key stakeholders responsible for implementation, monitoring, and incident response.

Step 3: Build a Secure Infrastructure

3.1 Implement Access Controls

• Use the principle of least privilege to restrict access.
• Implement strong authentication mechanisms (e.g., MFA for critical systems).
• Set up user role management and enforce periodic reviews.

3.2 Secure Your Network

• Install firewalls and intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS).
• Encrypt Wi-Fi traffic with WPA3 and segment networks.
• Use VPNs for remote access.

3.3 Protect Endpoints

• Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions.
• Ensure all devices have antivirus and anti-malware protection.
• Enforce device encryption and secure configurations.

3.4 Harden Applications

• Perform vulnerability scans and penetration tests on web applications.
• Apply patches and updates regularly.
• Implement secure coding practices if developing software.

3.5 Backup Critical Data

• Follow the 3-2-1 backup rule (3 copies, 2 types of storage, 1 offsite).
• Ensure backups are encrypted and test recovery processes regularly.

Step 4: Establish Operational Security

4.1 Develop Incident Response Plans

• Create a playbook for handling incidents like ransomware, phishing, and DDoS attacks.
• Include steps for detection, containment, eradication, recovery, and lessons learned.
• Assign roles for incident response team members.

4.2 Monitor and Log Activities

• Set up a Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system.
• Enable logging for critical systems and review logs regularly.
• Detect anomalies in user behavior and traffic patterns.

4.3 Implement Secure Communication Channels

• Use encrypted email solutions (e.g., PGP, S/MIME).
• Secure file-sharing platforms and cloud services with encryption.
• Train employees on identifying phishing attempts.

4.4 Manage Third-Party Risks

• Assess the cybersecurity posture of vendors and partners.
• Include security clauses in contracts (e.g., liability, incident reporting requirements).
• Monitor third-party access to your systems.

Step 5: Train Employees

5.1 Conduct Security Awareness Training

• Educate employees on identifying phishing emails, using secure passwords, and reporting suspicious activities.
• Focus on common threats like business email compromise (BEC) and ransomware.

5.2 Implement Regular Drills

• Simulate phishing campaigns to test employee readiness.
• Conduct tabletop exercises for incident response.

Step 6: Develop Compliance and Documentation

6.1 Align with Compliance Standards

• Identify applicable regulations (e.g., GDPR, CCPA, HIPAA).
• Document compliance processes and proof of implementation.

6.2 Maintain Security Documentation

• Keep an updated inventory of assets.
• Document risk assessments, security controls, and audit results.
• Ensure policies and procedures are reviewed periodically.

Step 7: Perform Continuous Improvement

7.1 Conduct Regular Audits

• Schedule internal audits to ensure controls are effective.
• Engage third-party auditors for unbiased assessments.

7.2 Review and Update Policies

• Update policies to reflect new threats, technologies, and business changes.
• Use incident post-mortems to refine processes.

7.3 Test Security Controls

• Perform penetration tests to identify weaknesses.
• Use automated tools for vulnerability scanning.
• Validate controls for effectiveness during real-world simulations.

Step 8: Create a Culture of Security

8.1 Empower Employees

• Foster an environment where employees prioritize security.
• Encourage reporting of potential risks without fear of repercussions.

8.2 Involve Leadership

• Ensure management understands the importance of cybersecurity.
• Secure buy-in for budget allocations and support for security initiatives.

Appendices (Optional Enhancements)

• Checklist of Cybersecurity Controls: Summarize essential controls for easy reference.
• Common Tools and Resources: Highlight tools for antivirus, SIEM, and training platforms.
• Frequently Asked Questions: Address common concerns small businesses may have.