Cybersecurity checklist: 10 essential actions for SMEs

Why SMEs are targeted

Cybercriminals know that small businesses rarely have the resources to protect themselves properly. Result: 80% of cyberattacks target companies with fewer than 250 employees.

The good news? The majority of risks can be covered with simple, accessible measures.

The 10 essential actions

1. Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) On all your critical accounts: email, cloud, banking, business tools. It's the most effective and simplest measure to implement.

2. Keep your systems updated Updates fix known vulnerabilities. Enable automatic updates on all workstations and servers.

3. Back up using the 3-2-1 rule 3 copies of your data, on 2 different media, with 1 off-site. Regularly test restoration.

4. Train your teams Phishing remains the #1 entry point. Make your team aware of suspicious emails, dubious links and best practices.

5. Segment your network Separate the guest network from the internal network. Isolate critical equipment (servers, NAS) in dedicated VLANs.

6. Install a next-gen firewall An NGFW firewall filters traffic, blocks intrusions and gives you visibility on what crosses your network.

7. Encrypt sensitive data Enable encryption on laptops (BitLocker, FileVault) and data in transit (SSL/TLS).

8. Manage access and permissions Each user only accesses what they need. Review permissions regularly, especially during offboarding.

9. Monitor your environment Basic monitoring (uptime, security alerts, logs) helps detect anomalies before they become incidents.

10. Have a response plan What to do in case of attack? A documented response plan prevents panic and speeds up business recovery.

Need help?

At Quorova, we help SMEs implement these measures. From initial audit to deployment, we help you secure your environment without unnecessary complexity.