October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, acting as a reminder for businesses of all sizes to take stock of their digital security. While cyber threats might sound like something that only affects big-name companies in the headlines, the reality is that small and medium-sized businesses are often the most at risk.
Hackers know that smaller organisations may not have the same resources, training, or systems in place to protect themselves.
The good news?
You don’t need to be an IT expert to make your business safer online. Building a few simple cybersecurity habits into your everyday routine can make a huge difference. Think of it like regular car maintenance or tidying the office, it keeps everything running smoothly and helps prevent bigger problems down the line.
Here are five easy cybersecurity habits every business should adopt this autumn.
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Use Strong, Unique Passwords (and Store Them Safely!)
We all know we should use strong passwords… but in practice, it’s easy to fall into bad habits. Reusing the same password across different accounts, writing them on sticky notes, or using something easy to remember like “Autumn2025!” can put your business at risk.
If just one of those accounts is breached, hackers often try the same login details across multiple platforms. That’s why unique passwords are key.
Easy habit:
- Use a password manager. This will generates strong, random passwords and remembers them for you.
- Make passwords long, with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols.
- Never reuse the same password for important accounts like email, banking, or business apps.
Why it matters: Weak or reused passwords are still one of the most common ways businesses are hacked.
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Turn On Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
If you’ve ever been asked to type in a code sent to your phone when logging in, you’ve already used MFA. It’s an extra step, but one that adds a powerful layer of security.
With MFA in place, even if someone manages to steal your password, they can’t get in without the second piece of verification.
Easy habit:
- Enable MFA on your email accounts, Microsoft 365, accounting software and anything that stores sensitive information.
- Where possible, use an authenticator app rather than SMS, as it’s more secure.
Why it matters: MFA blocks the majority of account takeover attempts. It’s one of the quickest wins you can put in place.
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Keep Systems and Software Up to Date
Those pop-ups asking you to update your computer or install patches aren’t just about new features, they often fix security holes. Cybercriminals actively look for outdated systems because they know there will be vulnerabilities.
Easy habit:
- Turn on automatic updates where possible.
- Make updating software part of your weekly, or at least monthly routine.
- Don’t forget about routers, Wi-Fi access points, and even printers, they all need updates too!
Why it matters: Unpatched software is like leaving the back door unlocked. Regular updates shut that door and keep attackers out. For updates, you might be best engaging with someone like sfG Software as when one item is updated, it may have an effect on some of your other software.
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Be on the Lookout for Phishing Emails
Phishing emails are getting smarter. They might look like they’ve come from a colleague, supplier, Amazon or even HMRC. The goal is usually to trick you into clicking a link or sharing sensitive information.
Easy habit:
- Hover over links before clicking, does the address look right?
- Double-check unexpected attachments or requests for urgent payments and don’t click until you can be certain it’s legitimate.
- When in doubt, pick up the phone and confirm with the sender. Better to be safe, than sorry.
Why it matters: Phishing is one of the most common ways hackers gain access to businesses. Staying alert can save you from costly mistakes.
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Back Up Your Data (and Test It!)
Imagine losing all your files to a ransomware attack or hardware failure. Without a backup, recovery could be impossible.
Easy habit:
- Back up important business data regularly.
- Store backups securely, ideally in the cloud and off-site.
- Test your backups! Too many businesses discover too late that their backup wasn’t working.
Why it matters: A tested backup is your safety net. It can be the difference between a quick recovery and a complete business disaster.
Why These Cybersecurity Habits Matter More Than Ever
Cybersecurity Awareness Month isn’t just about raising awareness it’s about building better habits. Cyberattacks are costly, stressful, and damaging to reputation. For small businesses, a single incident can have a long-lasting impact.
The good news is that most attacks can be prevented by taking small, proactive steps, like the ones above. By making these part of your routine, you’re protecting your business, your team, and your customers.
Final Thoughts on building cybersecurity habits
Cybersecurity might feel complicated, but building good habits doesn’t need to be. Start with these five:
- Strong, unique passwords
- Multi-factor authentication
- Regular updates
- Spotting phishing attempts
- Reliable backups
They’re straightforward, effective, and make a real difference.
At sfG Software, we help businesses across the Highlands and beyond stay safe and secure online. From proactive IT support to free cybersecurity audits, we work alongside you to put strong foundations in place, without the jargon.
This October, why not take a few minutes to review your cybersecurity habits? A small step now could prevent a big problem later.
