Cyber threats aren’t just a problem for Fortune 500 companies. In fact, businesses with 10 to 200 employees are among the most targeted for cybercrime in the U.S. because they process high-value data but often lack enterprise-level protection.

Whether you handle online payments, store customer data, operate remote teams, or rely on SaaS platforms to run your company, you’re exposed. From stolen credentials to ransomware, cybercrime can disrupt your business, cost you real money, and damage your reputation.

Here’s how to protect your business with practical, scalable steps.

 

Watch out for warning signs

It’s important to pay attention to anything the seems out of the ordinary, such as:

• Unusually large transactions from new or unverified customers.
• Multiple credit cards used by a single customer—especially if from different names or banks.
• Rushed orders, especially with requests to bypass normal procedures.
• A trust-building customer who starts with small paid purchases, then suddenly places a large order and disappears after receiving the goods.

If you're not sure if a transaction is legitimate, consider implementing a few extra steps to double-check. First, call the customer to confirm their order. If you’re still suspicious, don’t hesitate to reject the order. If it doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.

 

Invest in ongoing employee cyber training

Your staff are your first line of defense. Mistakes like clicking a malicious link, using weak passwords, or mishandling customer data are among the leading causes of breaches. You should:

• Schedule regular cybersecurity training, not just onboarding.
• Use phishing simulations to test awareness and reinforce caution.
• Make cyber hygiene part of performance expectations and flag serious non-compliance as a violation of company policy.
• Educate your customer-facing teams about social engineering and refund scams.

A well-informed team significantly lowers your exposure to threats.

 

Safeguard your data

Your business data is possibly your most valuable asset. Imagine if all the information on your computers, laptops, software and devices was deleted. You can reduce the chance of this happening by:

• Holding only the customer data you need. The more information you have, the higher your security risk.
• Regularly backing up and storing data offline. You can then restore your data if it’s lost, leaked or stolen.
• Setting up logs to record all the actions people take on your website or server. Set up alerts to notify you if an unusual event occurs. Make sure someone checks the logs when an alert comes in.
• Creating an incident response plan to help you get your business back up and running quickly if your business is targeted by cyberattack. Talk to your staff about the plan ahead of time.
• Selecting a cloud services provider who will provide the right services for your business. Check their data and security policies. Ask if they’ll do backups and if they offer two-factor authentication.

These steps will help you get out in front of potential data breaches. They're the key to minimizing the risks of data loss, theft, and cyberattacks, making sure your business remains secure and resilient.

 

Check your internal systems are well managed

Part of protecting your business online is putting in place procedures that are compulsory for all employees to agree to. It’s best to put these conditions into employment agreements and flag non-compliance as serious misconduct. Consider:

• Require two-factor authentication (2FA) for all employees accessing sensitive tools, especially for cloud-based platforms or VPNs.
• Change default logins on new devices or software as many attacks begin with easy-to-guess credentials left unchanged.
• Use secure password managers instead of shared spreadsheets or reuse of weak passwords.
• Avoid easy-to-guess security questions. Answers like pet names or high schools can often be found on social media.
• Don’t give out personal information. Legitimate-looking emails are very clever at trying to trick us into giving away personal or financial information. Stop and check if you know who the email is from.
• Be smart with social media. What you and employees post on social media can give cyber criminals information that they can use against you. Set your privacy so only friends and family can see your details.

Also, require employees to lock screens when away from their devices, especially in shared offices or hybrid work environments.

Making sure your internal systems are well-managed with secure procedures and clear protocols for staff can significantly reduce the risk of online threats and protect your business from potential security breaches.

 

Protect your financial information

A cyberattack that disrupts your business can be annoying and time-consuming to fix, but the impact on your finances is far more serious.

Always manually verify new supplier details or any requests to change bank information before approving payments. This is especially important for unusual or unexpected requests. Regularly review your bank statements, as they can be the first indication of unauthorized access. If you notice anything suspicious, contact us immediately.

Consider getting regular credit checks to detect if someone is using your details to apply for loans or credit. Keep your networks secure by installing software updates that fix known vulnerabilities. Always enable security software, such as antivirus programs, and use reputable, paid versions to prevent malicious software downloads.

Secure your network devices, such as firewalls and web proxies, and use a VPN with two-factor authentication for remote access. Be cautious when using free Wi-Fi or hotspots, as they can be insecure, allowing others to intercept your data.

 

Consider cyber liability insurance

Most people have insurance for their home, car, or business interruptions, but a cyberattack could cause more damage than a disaster like a fire. Cyber insurance can help minimize the impact of a cyber event, depending on the value of your IT systems and internet reliance. If the cost of insurance is less than the potential cost of a cyberattack, it’s worth considering.

 

Next steps

• If you or your business experiences an online incident, and report it to your local IT provider.
• Contact your local FBI field office to report the crime and file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
• Get in touch with us immediately.
• Subscribe to Homeland Security email updates. Protecting your business online is essential to safeguard sensitive data, prevent financial loss, and maintain your company's reputation and operations in the face of cyber threats.