Quick Wins to be Cyber Secure: Five Fast Fixes Every Business Should Use

Cyber security can feel overwhelming, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with limited resources.

But there are simple, high-impact actions that can dramatically improve your organisation’s security posture. David Dixon, Security Testing Pre-Sales Consultant at CyberLab, outlines five practical steps every business should take.

Smartphones and tablets often access sensitive business data but operate outside the safety of office networks.

SMEs should:

• Identify what data mobile devices can access (e.g. email, Teams, OneDrive).
• Use mobile device management (MDM) tools like Microsoft Intune or Sophos Mobile to control access and enforce security policies.
• Ensure devices are encrypted, password-protected, and remotely wipeable.

Phishing remains the most common attack vector for UK SMEs.

To reduce risk:

• Apply the principle of least privilege – limit account access to only what’s necessary.
• Train staff to spot phishing signs: suspicious links, urgent language, poor grammar, and unexpected attachments.
• Implement a clear reporting process for suspected phishing emails.
• Use tools like Microsoft 365’s Phishing Investigation feature to automate detection and response.

Unpatched software is a major vulnerability.

SMEs should:

• Maintain an inventory of devices and software.
• Enable automatic updates and apply patches within 14 days of release.
• Monitor for end-of-support products and replace them promptly.
• Use vulnerability scanning tools to identify gaps missed by manual checks.

Weak passwords are a top concern for SMEs in 2025.

Strengthen access controls by:

• Enforcing multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all users, especially admins.
• Providing password managers to help staff create and store strong credentials.
• Avoiding frequent forced password changes – only reset when compromise is suspected.
• Monitoring for compromised credentials on the dark web using services like HackRisk.

Technology alone isn’t enough – your people must be trained to use it securely.

Build a strong security culture by:

• Offering regular awareness training and phishing simulations.
• Encouraging prompt reporting of incidents without fear of punishment.
• Making security part of everyday conversations, not just IT’s responsibility.