5 Cybersecurity Myths That Could Jeopardize Your Small Business

Think cybercriminals only go after the big guys? Think again.

Small and mid-sized businesses are some of the easiest targets for cybercriminals. It’s not only because hackers are getting smarter and using AI tools, but also because business owners are falling for outdated cybersecurity myths. If you’re still holding onto any of these common misconceptions, you might be opening the door to trouble without even knowing it.

Let’s bust a few of these cybersecurity myths before they come back to bite you.

Myth #1: “Cybersecurity is the IT team’s problem – not mine.”

Sure, your IT folks (or that one person who helps with your computers) play a big role. But cybersecurity isn’t only IT’s job. It’s everyone’s job. Most cyberattacks start with a human mistake. Someone clicks a sketchy link, uses a weak password, or trusts a fake invoice. If you and your team haven’t been trained to spot red flags, your company is vulnerable, no matter how good your IT team is.

Myth #2: “Cloud services like Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace are automatically secure.”

Cloud tools make work easier and more flexible, but just because your data is in the cloud doesn’t mean it’s automatically protected. These services operate under a “shared responsibility model”. This means they secure the platform; however, you’re still responsible for assigning proper user access, managing passwords, and backing up your data. If someone guesses a login or clicks on a phishing email, it’s your mess to clean up.

Myth #3: “We don’t deal with sensitive data, so no one’s going to target us.”

If you believe your business isn’t attractive to hackers because you don’t collect credit card numbers or medical records, I hate to burst your bubble. Even basic customer contact info, employee data, or vendor lists can be valuable to cybercriminals. Hackers can use this information for scams and identity theft or to target bigger prey like your partners or suppliers.

Myth #4: “Our firewall and antivirus software are enough.”

Antivirus software and a firewall are definitely a good start, but cyber threats have evolved. Today’s attacks are much more sophisticated and often slip right past traditional defenses – think phishing emails, ransomware, and even “insider” threats from disgruntled employees. You need layers of protection like multi-factor authentication, real-time monitoring (like our SOC service), and staff training to really stay safe.

Myth #5: “We back up our files, so we’re protected from ransomware.”

Backing up your data is necessary, but it’s not a silver bullet. Many ransomware attacks are designed to find and encrypt backups too. If you store your backups on the same network, they’re likely compromised as well. The best defense is regular offsite or cloud backups that can’t be tampered with. To keep your network secure, you’ll also want endpoint protection that detects ransomware and isolates a compromised device to protect the network from a full-blown attack.

The Bottom Line:

Cybersecurity doesn’t have to be complicated, but you do want to take it seriously. A few simple changes, like training your team, enabling multi-factor authentication, and revisiting your backup strategy, can go a long way in protecting your business.