Let’s be real—most business leaders I meet aren’t losing sleep over the “sexier” parts of cybersecurity. They’re losing sleep over the thought of their biggest client walking away or losing their edge to a competitor. But rarely do business leaders realize that many times, those BIG clients are choosing competitors who are more tech-savvy. And tech-savvy companies are taking cybersecurity seriously.

Here’s the truth: the basics of cybersecurity—what we call cyber hygiene—is still your most effective line of defense, often stopping more attacks than the most expensive or advanced tools on the market. Cyber hygiene addresses the vulnerabilities attackers target most often, closing doors before criminals even have a chance to knock. According to IBM’s 2023 Cost of a Data Breach Report, 82% of breaches involved cloud-stored data—and the majority could have been prevented with consistent, foundational safeguards like the ones outlined below.

Think of cyber hygiene like brushing your teeth: it’s a small, consistent habit that protects you from major pain down the road. Skip it, and you’re inviting costly, disruptive issues that could have been easily avoided. Commit to it, and you’re proactively preventing bigger, more expensive problems while strengthening the overall health of your business.

Here are four cyber hygiene must-haves every Utah business owner should lock in:

1. Keep your network secure.
Your business’s lifeline is its network, and it deserves the same level of protection as your most valuable assets. Start by encrypting all sensitive data so even if it’s intercepted, it’s unreadable. Use a properly configured firewall to monitor and control incoming and outgoing traffic, blocking malicious access attempts before they reach your systems. Hide your Wi-Fi network name (SSID) so it’s invisible to outsiders, and lock down your router with a strong, unique password that’s updated regularly. For any remote employees, mandate the use of a secure VPN connection to ensure all data traveling between their devices and your network is fully encrypted, even over public or home networks.

2. Train your team like your business depends on it—because it does.
Human error remains the #1 cause of breaches, making your team’s awareness and discipline just as important as your technology. Start by setting clear, non-negotiable security policies: strong, unique passwords; multi-factor authentication (MFA); safe internet use; and strict protocols for handling sensitive data. Then invest in ongoing, practical training—show employees exactly how to recognize a phishing email, verify suspicious requests, and steer clear of unsafe downloads or links. Reinforce these lessons regularly with real-world examples and simulated phishing tests, so secure habits become second nature. The stronger their instincts, the sooner they can spot and stop an attack before it starts.

3. Back up your critical data—automatically.
A breach or crash shouldn’t mean game over for your business. Establish a comprehensive backup strategy that covers all essential files—HR records, financial data, client information, operational documents—and ensure backups happen regularly and automatically without relying on manual intervention. Store multiple secure copies in both the cloud and an off-site physical location, using encryption to protect them from unauthorized access. Test your backups periodically to confirm they can be restored quickly and effectively, so you can recover operations with minimal downtime and keep your business moving forward.

4. Control who can access what.
Every door you leave open is an invitation to trouble, and in cybersecurity, even one unnecessary access point can be exploited. Implement the principle of least privilege so employees can only access the specific systems and data they need to perform their roles. This minimizes exposure if an account is compromised and reduces the potential damage from insider threats. No single person should have unfettered access to every system, and administrative privileges should be tightly restricted to trusted IT personnel. As part of your offboarding process, remove all access immediately when an employee leaves—whether voluntary or not—to prevent any lingering vulnerabilities.

The Payoff
I get it—these steps can feel like a hassle, especially when you’re already juggling growth, client demands, and a busy schedule. But compared to the cost, disruption, and reputational damage caused by a single cyber incident, they’re a bargain. Proactive cyber hygiene isn’t just about reducing risk—it’s about saving time, preserving financial resources, protecting your hard-earned reputation, and giving you a competitive edge. In a market where trust and reliability often determine who wins the client, the companies that consistently maintain strong cyber hygiene stand out as safe, dependable partners worth doing business with.

Your Next Step
If you’re not sure where you stand, let’s fix that. Click here to schedule a quick 26-minute call today. We’ll uncover hidden vulnerabilities, close the gaps fast, and give you a clear plan to keep your business—and your peace of mind—secure.