Running a small business in East Tennessee is hard enough without having to worry about cyberattacks. But here’s the reality: hackers are targeting small and mid-sized businesses more than ever, and most attacks succeed because of poor cyber hygiene—the basic, everyday security practices that too many businesses skip.
According to IBM’s 2023 Cost of a Data Breach Report, 82% of breaches involved cloud data, and most of them could have been prevented with simple safeguards. That’s why it’s no longer optional for East Tennessee businesses to treat cybersecurity like an afterthought.
Here are four essentials you should have in place today:
- Keep Your Network Secure
Your Wi-Fi router isn’t just a convenience—it’s a front door into your business. Protect it with encryption, strong passwords, and hidden SSIDs so hackers can’t see it. Remote employees should always use a VPN to connect securely. Firewalls and up-to-date routers are a must for keeping your data safe.
- Train Your Employees
Most breaches happen because of human error—clicking on phishing emails, downloading bad files, or reusing weak passwords. The fix? Regular training on:
- Creating strong passwords + using MFA
- Recognizing phishing scams
- Safe internet and data handling policies
Your employees can either be your biggest risk—or your first line of defense.
- Back Up Your Data Automatically
Crashes, ransomware, and accidental deletions happen. When they do, your business must keep running. Back up critical files (financial, HR, client, and operational data) automatically, both in the cloud and offsite. If disaster strikes, your data—and your business—will still be there.
- Limit Access to Sensitive Data
Not everyone in your company needs access to everything. Limit data access to only what employees need for their jobs. Remove accounts immediately when employees leave. Restrict administrative privileges to trusted IT staff. This drastically reduces your risk if a breach occurs.
Why It Matters for East Tennessee Businesses
Yes, cyber hygiene takes effort—but it’s far cheaper than downtime, fines, or lost client trust. One ransomware attack or compliance failure could grind your operations to a halt.
That’s why small businesses across Knoxville, Maryville, and Sevierville are turning to managed IT providers like CD Technology to handle these essentials—fast, affordable, and with local support.
Ready to See Where You Stand?
If you’re not sure how strong your cyber hygiene really is, now’s the time to find out.
👉 Claim your FREE Cybersecurity Risk Assessment today. We’ll uncover hidden vulnerabilities, identify compliance gaps, and give you a clear, step-by-step plan to protect your business.
