Cyber threats hit small businesses hard, and a single breach can be devastating. You need a solid defense, but you don't have a massive budget or months to wait. This no-nonsense small business cybersecurity checklist gives you the essential steps to protect your data and stay compliant. It's the foundation for a strong security posture.
But building defenses is only step one. How do you prove they actually work for compliance audits like SOC 2? You need to test them. Traditional firms charge $25,000+ and take weeks to start. We provide affordable penetration testing services, starting in 24-48 hours, to validate your security fast.
Passwords are not enough. A single stolen password can expose your entire business. Multi-Factor Authentication adds a second layer of security, like a code from your phone, stopping attackers even if they have a password. This is a must-have for any small business cybersecurity checklist.
Implementing MFA is one of the fastest ways to block account takeovers. It's a critical control for SOC 2 and HIPAA compliance. At Affordable Pentesting, we see this as a foundational step. If you're not using MFA, you're leaving the front door wide open.
Outdated software is a huge security risk that attackers love to exploit. A patch management plan means you're consistently updating your systems to close these security gaps. This is a simple but powerful step in protecting your business.
Keeping software updated is non-negotiable for security and compliance. It prevents the kind of attacks that make headlines. A solid patch management process is a key part of any small business cybersecurity checklist and a requirement for a successful security audit.
Your team can be your strongest defense or your weakest link. Security awareness training teaches them how to spot and report threats like phishing emails. This turns your employees into a human firewall instead of a security liability.
Most breaches start with human error. Regular, simple training is one of the most cost-effective security measures you can take. For compliance like SOC 2, you have to prove your team is trained. This is a core part of building a secure culture.
What happens if ransomware hits or a server fails? A solid backup plan means you can recover quickly without paying a ransom. The 3-2-1 strategy is simple: three copies of your data, on two different media, with one copy offsite.
This strategy is your safety net. If an attacker locks your files, your offsite backup lets you restore everything and get back to business. This is a critical part of any small business cybersecurity checklist and a must-have for real business continuity.
Your firewall is the gatekeeper for your network, blocking malicious traffic before it gets in. A properly configured firewall is your first line of defense. It protects your internal network from the constant threats on the internet.
Without a well-configured firewall, your network is exposed. For compliance frameworks like SOC 2 or HIPAA, demonstrating strong network controls is essential. This is a foundational piece of any security program, and our penetration testing services always check it.
Old-school antivirus software isn't enough anymore. Modern endpoint protection stops advanced threats like ransomware on employee devices like laptops and phones. It's a critical layer of defense in today's threat landscape.
Endpoints are common targets for attacks. Protecting them is crucial for securing your business and meeting compliance needs. Centralized endpoint protection helps you enforce security policies and respond to threats quickly and effectively.
Weak and reused passwords are a gift to attackers. A strong password policy combined with a password manager makes it easy for your team to be secure. It eliminates password headaches and dramatically reduces risk.
This is a simple win for your security program. A password manager helps enforce your policy without making life difficult for your employees. For SOC 2 penetration testing, strong access controls are a key area we evaluate.
It's not a matter of if you'll face a security incident, but when. An Incident Response (IR) plan is your step-by-step guide for handling an attack. It helps you stay calm, respond effectively, and minimize damage.
Without a plan, chaos takes over during an incident. An IR plan helps you recover faster, protect your reputation, and meet compliance requirements. A tested plan is a core part of any mature small business cybersecurity checklist.
You've followed this small business cybersecurity checklist and built your defenses. Now you need to prove they work. The only way to know for sure is to test them with a real-world attack simulation, which is exactly what a pentest does.
Traditional firms make this painful, charging $25,000 to $50,000 and taking weeks to get started. That model is broken for small businesses. You need affordable penetration testing that is fast, thorough, and meets your compliance needs like SOC 2.
That's where we come in. We offer affordable penetration testing services with reports delivered in as little as five days. Our certified experts provide the same quality as the big firms but at a fraction of the cost, starting at just $2,000 for manual and $500 for automated pentesting.
Don't guess if you're secure. Prove it. Our fast penetration testing helps you find and fix vulnerabilities before attackers do. It’s the final, essential step to validate your hard work and achieve compliance.
Don't just hope your security measures work—prove it. Affordable Pentesting provides the fast, expert, and budget-friendly penetration testing you need to validate your defenses and meet compliance requirements like SOC 2. Contact us through our form to get started in the next 24-48 hours and receive a comprehensive report in just 5 days. Affordable Pentesting
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