It’s well known that cybersecurity is not just a concern for large enterprises—small businesses are also prime targets for cyber threats. It’s also well known that many small businesses work under the misconception that their size makes them less vulnerable to cyberattacks.
Roark Tech Services developed a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy that implements the essential safeguards to protect its clients from data breaches, economic loss, and reputational damage.
Today’s post provides an overview of the safeguards Roark Tech Services puts in place and how they keep small businesses “cyber-fit”.
UNDERSTANDING THE CYBERSECURITY LANDSCAPE
Small businesses face a variety of threats, ranging from phishing attacks to ransomware, data breaches, and malware. The most common threats include:
By understanding the types of threats every small business may face, it’s easier to understand why staying prepared is so essential.
BASIC CYBERSECURITY MEASURES
While it may seem overwhelming to anyone outside the tech sector, there are basic and cost-effective steps small businesses must take to protect themselves. Fortunately for Roark Tech Services clients, these safeguards are not only in place, but supported, kept up-to-date and constantly adjusted with the changing landscape.
Educate Employees
Employees are the first line of defense against cyberattacks. Many security breaches happen because an employee clicks on a malicious link, opens a compromised email, or uses a weak password.
For this reason, Roark Tech Services offers cybersecurity training sessions that educate staff about:
Recognizing phishing emails.
Avoiding suspicious links and attachments.
Using strong, unique passwords.
Reporting suspicious activities at once.
Training should be continuous, not a one-time event. Ensuring that cybersecurity awareness becomes part of company culture.
Complex Password Policies
Roark Tech Services enforces one of the most basic but crucial steps a small business can take: complex password policies. Weak passwords are an open invitation to hackers. Our complex password policy includes:
Software Updates
Under Roark Tech Services Managed IT Services, software, including operating systems, applications, and plugins, are updated regularly, during a dedicated maintenance window each month. This is typically conducted after business hours to minimize impact on employees.
Firewalls, Endpoint Protection & Monitoring
Roark Tech Services always ensure the most basic levels of protection are in place and kept effective against rising cyberthreats. The protections include a firewall that acts as a barrier between the business’ internal network and the internet, filtering out potentially harmful traffic.
Our monitoring solution uses the industry leading tool NinjaOne RMM (Remote Monitoring and Management) to understand how technology is performing in real time, as well as find potential areas of risk. This monitoring is in place seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day, with proactive alerts and real time insight. NinjaOne RMM allows automated inventory of every device connected to the company network. Our monitoring applies to applications, networks, security, computers, and cloud instances.
Roark Tech Services employs effective tools such as Carbon Black EDR (Endpoint Detection & Response). EDR ensures early detection and enables us to stay ahead of evolving cyber threats.
This is carried out through:
Real-Time Threat Detection
Comprehensive Endpoint Visibility
Proactive Threat Hunting
Behavioral Analytics
Data Back-Up
No cybersecurity plan is complete without a robust backup strategy. Backing up data ensures the ability to recover important files in case of a ransomware attack, accidental deletion, or hardware failure. Roark Tech Services implements a system to regularly back up critical data to secure locations such as cloud storage or external hard drives and verify that these backups work by testing them regularly.
Controlled Access to Sensitive Information
Not all employees need access to all company data. Roark Tech Services puts in place a limit access to sensitive information based on roles within the company using permissions and user access controls to safeguard sensitive data. By doing this, the chances of accidental data exposure or misuse is reduced.
Protecting Remote and Mobile Workers
Roark Tech Services extends cybersecurity efforts beyond the office network.
Because remote employees access company data from various locations and devices, increasing security risks, we put in place the necessary safeguards that protect remote work, including:
Encrypting Sensitive Data
Encryption adds another layer of protection by converting sensitive information into unreadable code. This ensures that even if data is intercepted, it cannot be used by attackers. We make sure encryption is enabled for both data at rest (stored data) and in transit (data being transmitted).
Putting Policies in Place
At Roark Tech Services we stay on top of the latest drivers behind the most effective policies that keep small businesses safe. Moreover, if a client doesn’t have the necessary policies in place, we will write them and ensure compliance with industry regulations, including the SEC and HIPAA.
Compliance with Legal and Industry Regulations
Our clients span different industries and sectors, but no matter what the specific regulations that govern how they must handle and protect sensitive information, we make certain the cybersecurity practices comply with the applicable laws and regulations that avoid fines and legal issues.
Small businesses cannot afford to ignore cybersecurity. Hiring a Managed Service Provider like Roark Tech Services ensures the best cybersecurity measures — such as employee education, strong password policies, regular software updates, firewalls, mobile device protection and data backups— are expertly implemented.
With these steps, small businesses safeguard their data, keep client trust, and ensure long-term success in today’s digital landscape.
Roark Tech Services, established in 1998, is a boutique firm dedicated exclusively to supporting small businesses. If your business is ready for comprehensive Managed IT Service and Support that will keep your business safe, contact us.
At Roark Tech Services, we deliver "White Glove" personalized technology services, offering fit-for-purpose solutions tailored to your unique needs.
If you don’t have an IT partner you trust for reliable support and strategic guidance, we’d love to help.
Contact us today to see how we can elevate your technology experience.