Small Business Cyber Planning: Five Steps to Fortifying Your Security Strategy in 2025

As we welcome 2025, I find myself reflecting on the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity. Just a few years ago, the biggest threat we faced was a nonchalant employee clicking on a phishing email. Fast-forward to today, and we're navigating complex webs of third-party vendor risks and sophisticated AI-driven attacks. This is a wake-up call for small business owners—how can we protect ourselves and thrive in the midst of such challenges?

Step 1: Revisiting Zero Trust Principles for Small Businesses

As small business owners, we often juggle multiple responsibilities. Cybersecurity can feel overwhelming. But understanding the fundamentals of Zero Trust is crucial. So, what exactly is Zero Trust? It’s a security model that assumes threats could be internal or external. Trust no one, verify everyone.

Step 1: Revisiting Zero Trust Principles for Small Businesses

As small business owners, we often juggle multiple responsibilities. Cybersecurity can feel overwhelming. But understanding the fundamentals of Zero Trust is crucial. So, what exactly is Zero Trust? It’s a security model that assumes threats could be internal or external. Trust no one, verify everyone.

Understanding the Fundamentals of Zero Trust

Zero Trust isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a paradigm shift. Every organization, especially SMBs, should have a roadmap for implementing these principles. Start with robust identity and access management (IAM). This means knowing who has access to what. Regularly assess device and user trustworthiness. Ask yourself: Are we giving access based on need? Or are we just following old habits?

Creating a Roadmap for Identity and Access Management

Creating a roadmap is essential. It helps us align our security efforts with our business priorities. We need to regularly review access mechanisms. This isn’t a one-time task; it’s an ongoing process. Think of it as maintaining a garden: regular pruning and care keep it healthy.

Utilizing Frameworks like NIST

Frameworks like NIST are invaluable. They help us assess our trustworthiness. By using these guidelines, we can create a structured approach to security. Did you know that 78% of SMBs may not have implemented Zero Trust by 2025? This statistic should motivate us to act now.

So, where do we start? Begin with identity management. Regularly review who has access to what. And if you’re unsure, consider hiring a Virtual CISO (vCISO) . They can provide expert guidance and help manage your security program effectively.

Don’t wait until you get breached! The time to adopt Zero Trust principles is now.

Step 2: Strengthening Vendor Risk Management

When we think about cybersecurity, we often focus on our internal systems. But what about the vendors we rely on? Did you know that 60% of data breaches in SMBs are caused by third-party vendors? That’s a staggering number! As small business owners, we can’t afford to overlook this risk.

Assessing Third-Party Risks

First, we need to assess third-party risks. This means evaluating the security practices of our vendors. Are they following best practices? Are they compliant with necessary regulations? Implementing a solid evaluation framework is essential. Think of it as a safety net that protects your business.

Utilizing Tools for Vendor Assessments

Next, let’s talk about tools. Modern third party risk management tools can help us gauge the security posture of our vendors. These tools provide valuable insights and can highlight areas of concern. It’s like having a scorecard for your vendor’s security health. Wouldn’t you want to know how your partners are performing when it comes to information security?

Creating Risk Tiers

Another important step is creating risk tiers for our vendors. By categorizing them based on their risk level, we can apply tailored monitoring. For instance:

• High Risk: Critical vendors with access to sensitive data.

• Medium Risk: Vendors with moderate access.

• Low Risk: Vendors with minimal impact on security.

Establishing strong vendor relationships is key. Transparency is crucial. We need to communicate our security expectations clearly.

If this seems overwhelming for your internal team, a virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) should be capable of designing and managing a third party risk management program. The vCISO can ensure our partners adhere to strict security protocols and mitigate exposure to breaches.

Step 3: Building a Resilient Cyber Workforce

As a small business owner, have you ever considered how the strength of your team can directly impact your cybersecurity? In today’s world, building a resilient cyber workforce is not just a luxury; it’s a necessity. The cybersecurity talent shortage is real, with a projected gap of 3.5 million professionals by 2025. Hiring that cyber talent is also expensive. Leveraging a firm who has a team of cyber experts, may be a more efficient choice that trying to build a high performing internal team.

Incorporating Rotational Roles

One approach is to incorporate rotational roles. By allowing employees to experience different positions, you cultivate a culture of learning and adaptability. This not only keeps your team engaged but also equips them with a comprehensive understanding of your business. It’s like having a Swiss Army knife—versatile and always ready for any challenge. For example, an employee with IT skills can be assigned a role within the IT and Security team in addition to another role they already have in the organization.

Harnessing Training Resources

Don’t overlook the importance of training resources. Tools like Fortified Desk can create virtual training environments tailored to your needs. These platforms allow your team to practice in safe spaces, enhancing their skills without the risk of real-world repercussions. It’s a smart way to prepare your workforce for the challenges ahead.

In summary, a robust talent development strategy is essential. It’s not just about filling positions; it’s about building a skilled workforce that can effectively respond to cyber threats. A virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) can provide tailored advice and manage your security program, ensuring you’re not just reactive but proactive in your cybersecurity efforts.

Step 4: Metrics That Matter: Measuring Your Security

As small business owners, we often find ourselves lost in the sea of numbers. But what if I told you that not all metrics are created equal? To truly understand the effectiveness of our security programs, we must focus on metrics that matter, not just vanity numbers.

Identifying Key Metrics Beyond Vanity Numbers

Vanity metrics may look good on paper, but they don’t tell the whole story. Instead, we should focus on actionable insights. For example:

• How quickly are we applying security updates? (a.k.a. “patch latency”)

• Phishing susceptibility rates: How many employees fall for phishing attempts?

• Incident response times: How fast do we react to security threats?

These metrics provide a clearer picture of our security posture. They help us identify areas for improvement and keep our executive teams informed.

Aligning Metrics with Business Outcomes

It’s crucial to align security metrics with our overall business goals. After all, security is not just a cost center; it’s a vital part of our business strategy. By demonstrating how our security investments contribute to business success, we can gain support from stakeholders.

As Peter Drucker wisely said,

This means that we should focus on metrics that reflect our business objectives.

Sadly, only 45% of SMBs regularly measure the effectiveness of their security programs. This oversight can dilute the value of our investments. By implementing a robust metrics strategy, we can potentially reduce security-related incidents by 25%.

A virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) can help you navigate this complex landscape and ensure your security program aligns with your business goals.

Step 5: Future-Proofing Against Emerging Threats

As small business owners, we often think we’re safe from the big cyber threats. But the reality is, emerging threats like ransomware and AI-driven attacks are knocking at our doors. Did you know that ransomware attacks on SMBs are up by 40% per year? That’s a staggering statistic! And shockingly, only 30% of SMBs are prepared for an AI attack. So, how can we protect ourselves?

Identifying Emerging Threats

First, we need to understand what these threats look like. Ransomware can lock us out of our own systems, demanding payment to regain access. Meanwhile, AI-driven attacks can be more sophisticated, utilizing machine learning to bypass traditional defenses. It’s crucial to stay informed about these evolving threats.

Proactive Assessments

Next, we should be proactively assessing the threat landscape at least once a year. This isn’t just a checkbox exercise; it’s about staying ahead of the curve. By regularly reviewing our security posture, we can identify vulnerabilities before they are exploited. Are we doing enough to safeguard our data?

Using Advanced Tools

Advanced tools help us adapt to new cybersecurity challenges. There are many solutions out there, from threat intelligence feeds to advanced detection systems. A capable virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) can streamline this process. They can provide expert guidance and ensure we have the right tools in place.

In a nutshell, preparing for the unexpected is essential for us as small business owners. By identifying emerging threats, conducting regular assessments, and utilizing advanced tools, we can protect ourselves from potential disasters.

The version of this post for security leaders can be found here. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/start-2025-right-every-security-leader-should-do-tim-howard-vccke/

About Tim Howard

Plain Talk Cyber guest author Tim Howard is the founder of 5 technology firms including Fortify Experts which helps companies create high-performance teams through People (Executive Search), Process (vCISO/Advisory), and Technology (such as Fortified Desk).