Small Business Cybersecurity: Stop Hackers In Their Tracks with Bryan Altimas

 Listen on Spotify  |  Listen on Apple Podcasts

Most owners say they are too small to hack. That belief is costly. Small business cybersecurity is not optional. One hurried click can freeze accounts. One reused password can open every door. This guide distils our latest Master Your Business episode into clear steps you can apply today to protect your business.

Cybersecurity consultant Bryan Altimas joined the show. He shared front-line stories and simple controls that work for small teams.

“Use two-factor authorisation everywhere. It persuades attackers to go elsewhere.”

The myth that small means safe

Attackers automate. They scan the open web and harvest weak targets. They do not check your headcount. They test leaked passwords. They mimic your writing style. They spoof a supplier. They strike when you are busy or travelling.

A CEO posted about his new car on Facebook. A fake friend emailed. “Love the new car. It looks dented. Pic attached.” He clicked. The attackers watched his Microsoft 365 mailbox. They learned his tone and cadence. They sent a realistic payment request to the accountant. The only thing that saved the firm was an approval limit. Luck is not a cybersecurity strategy.

Small business cybersecurity starts with identity. Protect the front door, and you remove easy wins for criminals.

Why old advice fails modern attacks

Antivirus alone does not cut it. Signature tools miss fast-moving threats. You need behaviour-level protection. That is what EDR provides. Endpoint Detection and Response watches in real-time and isolates issues before they spread.

The cloud is not a backup. Sync mirrors changes. If malware encrypts files, the sync copies follow. See the UK National Cyber Security Centre guidance on backups that resist ransomware.

Passwords on their own are weak. Multi-factor authorisation blocks the majority of account takeovers. Microsoft’s guidance shows how MFA works and why it matters.

The uncomfortable truth Bryan revealed

Perfect security does not exist. Cyber resilience does. Your goal is simple. Become a hard target. Keep operating when attacks happen.

Bryan’s core lessons for small business cybersecurity

• Identity first. Use a password manager. Stop reuse.
• Two factors everywhere. Pick an authenticator app over SMS. Microsoft shows this stops most account attacks. Microsoft Learn
• Passkeys now. Passkeys use cryptographic keys. They resist phishing. The FIDO Alliance explains why they are stronger and faster. FIDO Alliance
• EDR on all devices. Go beyond old antivirus. Get real-time detection and response. Microsoft
• Patch on schedule. Auto-update your OS, browser, and apps.
• Back up your cloud. Use an independent cloud backup and add an offline copy. Follow modern backup principles that resist ransomware. NCSCCISA
• Use a safe word. Agree a phrase for money or access requests. Defeat voice clones and urgent tricks.
  
  

What actually works for small teams

Here is the lean small business cybersecurity stack. It is boring. It scales.

1 Password manager
Share access, not passwords. Rotate any reused login. Prioritise email, banking, drive, CRM, accounting, calendar.

2 Two factor authentication
Turn it on everywhere. Use Microsoft Authenticator or Google Authenticator. App factors beat SMS.

3 Passkeys
Accept passkeys when Google or Microsoft offer them. They use public key cryptography. They are phishing resistant. They are simpler for staff and contractors. FIDO Alliance

4 EDR on every device
Choose a business grade product. Set auto-scan. Set quarantine. Verify alerts. EDR gives continuous monitoring and faster response. Microsoft

5 Updates without delay
Patch your OS weekly. Patch browsers and extensions. Patch office apps. Close known holes before they are used.

6 Backups that restore
Adopt the 3-2-1 pattern with a modern twist. Keep three copies on two media with one off site. Add immutability if possible. Test a restore each month. The NCSC guidance outlines how to protect backups from deletion and tampering. NCSC

How to implement this approach

Set a ninety minute block. Do this in order.

Step one Identity

• Roll out a password manager to your team.
• Replace any reused passwords in your top twenty accounts.
• Turn on 2FA for email, bank, socials, cloud suite.
• Enrol passkeys where offered.
  
  

Step two Devices

• Deploy EDR on laptops and desktops.
• Set policies for auto-quarantine and alerts.
• Record a simple response checklist.
  
  

Step three Updates

• Enable auto-updates across OS and apps.
• Book a fifteen minute weekly patch review.
  
  

Step four Backups

• Add an independent cloud backup for Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace.
• Schedule a monthly test restore.
• Keep a quarterly offline snapshot that is encrypted.
  
  

Step five Human checks

• Create a safe word for payment or access changes.
• Require two-person approval for new supplier banking details.
  
  

Step six Reduce attack surface

• List overlapping tools.
• Remove unused apps and risky extensions.
• Limit admin accounts to the few who need them.
  
  

Step seven Communicate trust

• Tell clients how you protect their data.
• Add a short “Service Reliability Promise” page.
• Use this in sales to shorten decisions.
  
  

Phishing and ransomware in plain words

Phishing is any message that pushes urgency or curiosity. It tries to make you click. It often leads to a fake login. That page steals your credentials. The UK NCSC explains how to spot and report phishing across email, adverts, and calls. NCSC+1

Ransomware steals data. Then it encrypts what is left. It sells your files back to you. That is why small business cybersecurity must include EDR, updates, and resilient backups.

Key signals to slow down

• Payment changes that arrive when a leader is traveling
• Files that prompt repeat logins on familiar sites
• Messages that end soon or you will miss out
  

Quick checklist to print

• Password manager for all staff
• 2FA app enabled across key accounts
• Passkeys accepted where available
• EDR installed and active
• Auto-updates confirmed
• Independent cloud backup plus offline copy
• Safe word for money and access requests
• Monthly restore test completed
  
  

This is the real truth about scaling a service business. Growth depends on staying online and trusted.

Conclusion

Small business cybersecurity is not a side quest. It is a growth system. When you protect identity, devices, and data, you close the door on easy attacks. You also look like a pro. Clients feel safer. Deals move faster.

Listen to the full episode with Bryan Altimas for stories and step-by-steps. Then block ninety minutes and ship your plan today.

 Listen on Spotify  |  Listen on Apple Podcasts

About Deirdre Martin

Deirdre Martin is your go-to for turning quiet service businesses into bold, booked-out brands. She’s a triple-certified strategist, award-winning neurobusiness mentor, international best-selling author and the only woman in Ireland with both StoryBrand and Level C Brand Strategy creds. After 20 years in banking, she ditched the corporate ladder, built a global business from her kitchen table, and now helps solo entrepreneurs make their first million with offers that sell and systems that scale. If it’s got brains, boldness, and a bit of bite... it’s probably Deirdre.

Keep mastering your business. 

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Great insights on getting noticed in the market

Deirdre does a great job of helping understand best marketing and business strategies with a easy to understand and entertaining podcast.

Education in your ears.”

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding a bundle of bonus episodes soon, and if you’re not following, you’ll very likely miss out. Follow now!