Evolve Systems has been in business for over 22 years, and during that time, we have seen our share of security challenges. As businesses have moved more and more to the cloud, we have witnessed the shift from physical security to virtual security. The management of access to mission-critical data and services has also followed that trend.
As these shifts continue, it’s time to ask yourself: How secure is my business’s data, and what can I do to better protect my digital environment?
Even small steps will provide incremental protections. And many of them do not cost more than what you have already invested. To help you get started, we developed a detailed checklist of essential actions you can take to secure your digital environment.
Why Cybersecurity Matters for Small Businesses
Cybersecurity likely isn’t the most exciting thing on your to-do list as a business owner. You’re busy running your business, keeping customers happy, and balancing your budget. It’s tempting to think, “Hackers only go after big companies, so I don’t need to worry.” Unfortunately, that’s not the case.
Here’s the hard truth: small businesses are prime targets for cyberattacks. In fact, cybercriminals often prefer smaller companies because they tend to have weaker defenses, and there are more of them.
And the cost of ignoring security? It’s steep. In 2024, the average cost of a data breach in the U.S. was $9.36 million. For most small businesses, even a fraction of that could mean shutting your doors for good.
Is My Business Too Small to Get Hacked?
No. Cybercriminals don’t discriminate based on size—they look for easy opportunities. Here’s why small businesses are often in their crosshairs:
- Weaker Defenses: Many small businesses don’t invest in security, making them an easy target. Think about the cost per seat for virus and malware protection and multiply that by every employee that has access to any of your systems. Including just email.
- Valuable Data: Even if you’re small, you still handle sensitive information like customer credit cards or business accounts.
- Gateway to Bigger Fish: If you work with larger companies, hackers might target you as a way to access their networks.
Think of it this way: burglars don’t just break into mansions. They go where the doors are unlocked. If you’re not taking security seriously, you’re leaving the door wide open. Willie Sutton was asked why he robbed banks, and he famously replied, “Because that’s where the money is.” Cybercriminals will go where the data is, and you have it, and they want it.
What Happens If You Ignore Cybersecurity?
There is a great deal at stake if you don’t make security a priority:
- Financial Losses: The costs add up fast. Between fixing the breach, dealing with lawsuits, and paying fines, a cyberattack can drain your bank account.
- Reputation Damage: Customers trust you to keep their data safe. A breach breaks that trust and sends them running to your competitors.
- Business Disruptions: Ransomware can freeze your operations, and every hour your systems are down costs you money.
- Legal Troubles: Laws and regulations require you to protect customer data. If you fail, you could face hefty fines or lawsuits.
A Real-Life Example: When Things Go Wrong
Let’s say you own a small business. You get a phishing email that looks like it’s from your payment processor. An employee clicks the link, enters their login info, and just like that, hackers have access to your payment system.
Could this have been avoided? Absolutely. If you had trained your staff and set up stronger security measures, this story could have had a very different ending.
But it is not easy. We trade convenience and ease of access for the risks that are inherent in what we do online. And it takes discipline to protect our systems. And the hackers only need to win once.
The Future of Cybersecurity
Hackers are getting more sophisticated every year. In 2025, AI-powered scams, advanced phishing attacks, and ransomware-as-a-service are just a few of the new threats out there. By hiring a security agency, you’re not just protecting yourself now—you’re preparing for what’s coming next.
The two biggest threats that we personally see as we peer into the future are Artificial Intelligence coupled with Machine Learning, and the advent of Post-Quantum Cryptography. There will be another blog specifically about these ideas in the near future. And let us know what other topics you would like us to cover.
Why Hiring an Agency Is Worth It
If you have read this far, cybersecurity isn’t your specialty. And that’s okay. You’ve got enough on your plate running your business. That’s where an agency like Evolve Systems may be of assistance. We focus on securing your website and online presence.
We offer website hosting services that provide:
- Fully managed Web Application Firewall (WAF) with WordPress rulesets updated to keep up with the latest threats
- Content Delivery Network (CDN) that offers over 250 points of presence across 300 cities in 100 countries
- Daily malware scans, a proprietary firewall, and proactive threat detection
- Annual SOC 2 audits and ISO 27001 certification
- Advanced DDoS protection
- HTTP/3 transport protocol
And that is just one part of your overall security plan. This just covers #6 on the checklist above.
Take Action Today
Small incremental steps. That is the key. Taking on the “everything” approach is overwhelming, and it is easy to put off until next quarter, or next year. Our number 1 recommendation: invest in LastPass.com. We are not a reseller, but we are fans of their product. But there are other companies out there that have similar offerings.
But the excuse of needing to do more research, or find the perfect product is alluring. As Voltaire remarked, “Perfect is the enemy of good.” Do something good for your company today. Take 1 step. And then tomorrow, 1 more.
If you have questions about website hosting or digital security, we are here to help! Work with us to develop a plan that protects your business.
Welcome to the cybersecurity journey.
About the Author
Donald Raleigh is the Chief Technology Officer at Evolve Systems. He holds a Bachelors Degree in Emergency and Disaster Management, and is a former Military Intelligence NCO assigned as a Russian Intelligence Analyst. Mr. Raleigh also served in the Minnesota House of Representatives and was on the Public Safety Committee.
