Small businesses are targeted in 43% of all cyberattacks, according to industry research. Yet many small business owners in Long Beach still think they're too small to be a target. The reality is that cybercriminals specifically seek out businesses with weak security — and small businesses often fit that profile.
Start with a Security Assessment
You can't fix what you don't know is broken. A security assessment identifies vulnerabilities in your network, devices, and practices. This includes checking for unpatched software, weak passwords, unencrypted data, misconfigured firewalls, and gaps in employee training.
I offer security assessments for Long Beach businesses that provide a clear report of vulnerabilities ranked by risk level, along with practical recommendations for addressing each one.
Secure Your Network Perimeter
A business-grade firewall is your first line of defense. It controls what traffic enters and leaves your network, blocks known threats, and can segment your network to contain breaches. Behind the firewall, ensure your Wi-Fi uses WPA3 encryption with a strong, unique password.
Guest networks should be completely isolated from your business network. Visitors and customer devices should never have access to the same network as your business systems.
Endpoint Protection
Every device that connects to your network is a potential entry point. Install business-grade endpoint protection (not just consumer antivirus) on all computers and mobile devices. This should include real-time threat detection, web filtering, and remote wipe capability for lost or stolen devices.
Managed endpoint protection, which I include in all my MSP plans, provides centralized monitoring and automatic response to threats across all your devices.
Email Security
Email is the #1 attack vector. Beyond basic spam filtering, implement: advanced phishing protection, attachment scanning, link rewriting (URLs are checked at click time, not just delivery time), and impersonation detection. These features come standard with Microsoft 365 business plans and can be added to other email systems.
Incident Response Planning
Despite best efforts, breaches can still happen. Having a plan in place reduces response time and limits damage. Your incident response plan should define: who to contact, how to isolate affected systems, communication procedures for customers and partners, and steps for recovery.
I help businesses create practical incident response plans that your team can actually follow under pressure. It's not about lengthy documents — it's about clear, actionable steps.