If your business was hit with a ransomware attack right now, what would you do?
Would you know which files are backed up? Could your team spot the phishing email that caused it? Do you have someone on call to help you recover?
For many small businesses, the honest answer is: “Not really.”
The good news? There are simple, practical steps you can take to improve your cyber readiness starting today. And the even better news? You don’t have to do it alone.
Why Cyber Readiness Matters
Cyber incidents are no longer a “what if.” They’re a “when.” And for small to midsize businesses, the impacts can be devastating:
- Loss of customer trust
- Downtime and lost revenue
- Data loss or theft
- Regulatory fines for compliance failures
According to the 2024 Verizon Data Breach Report, over 50% of attacks now hit small businesses—and most of them aren’t ready to respond.
Your 5-Minute Cyber Readiness Checklist
This checklist is designed to help you spot vulnerabilities and act quickly. Think of it as a digital fire drill, do you have the right people, tools, and steps in place?
- Do You Back Up Your Data Regularly?
- Are your files backed up automatically every day?
- Are backups stored offsite (like in the cloud)?
- Have you tested restoring your backup in the last 6 months?
If not… one ransomware attack or server crash could permanently delete years of business data.
- Do You Use Strong, Unique Passwords for Every Account?
- Are you using long, complex passwords (not names or birthdays)?
- Do you avoid reusing the same password across platforms?
- Are passwords stored in a secure password manager?
If not… one compromised login could expose your entire business.
- Is Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Turned On?
- Do you require a second login step (like a phone code) for critical apps?
- Is MFA required for email, banking, and cloud platforms?
If not… even a strong password won’t protect you from phishing or credential stuffing.
- Do You Know Who Has Access to What?
- Can you easily see which employees have access to which tools?
- Do you remove access immediately when someone leaves the company?
- Are admin-level accounts limited to only those who truly need them?
If not… former employees or vendors could still access your systems.
- Have Your Employees Been Trained on Cybersecurity?
- Do employees know how to spot phishing emails and scams?
- Do they know what to do if something looks suspicious?
- Have you conducted a security training in the past 12 months?
If not… your team could unintentionally open the door to attackers.
- Do You Have Antivirus and Firewall Protection Installed?
- Are all company devices protected with active antivirus software?
- Do you have a firewall set up on your network?
- Are those tools updated and managed regularly?
If not… your devices could be infected without you even knowing it.
- Do You Have a Plan for What to Do During a Cyber Incident?
- Do you have a written action plan in case of a data breach or attack?
- Do you know who to call for IT support during an emergency?
- Can you isolate affected systems quickly?
If not… the first few hours of an incident will be spent scrambling.
If you checked “No” more than twice, you’re not alone.
Most small businesses struggle to stay on top of all these tasks—and it’s not for lack of effort. You’re busy running operations, managing people, and growing your business.
That’s where CHQ’s MSP Services come in.
Why CHQ’s MSP Services Are the Smarter Option
Computer Headquarters offers Managed IT Services (MSP) designed specifically for Southeast Alaska businesses. We take the burden of cybersecurity, data management, and IT support off your shoulders—so you can focus on what you do best.
Here’s how CHQ helps small businesses like yours stay cyber-ready:
Automated Backups: We ensure your files are securely backed up to the cloud and tested regularly for reliability.
Proactive Threat Monitoring: We monitor your systems 24/7 for suspicious activity, malware, and vulnerabilities—before they become a problem.
Secure Password & Access Management: We implement secure password policies, vaults, and role-based access to prevent unauthorized logins.
Employee Training & Simulations: We train your team to recognize phishing and run real-time simulations to keep everyone sharp.
Firewall & Endpoint Protection: We install, manage, and update antivirus software, firewalls, and security tools on every device in your network.
Incident Response Planning: We help you build a clear, step-by-step plan for what to do when a cyber incident occurs—so you’re never caught off guard.
Local Support When You Need It: When something does go wrong, our local team is on-call and ready to help—fast.[/caption]
Affordable, Scalable, and Local
Whether you’re running a team of 5 or 50, CHQ scales our services to fit your needs and budget. Our monthly packages provide full protection at a fraction of the cost of hiring in-house IT staff.
Best of all? We’re right here in Southeast Alaska—so we understand the needs, challenges, and values of our community.
Ready to simplify your IT and stay protected year-round?
Cyber readiness doesn’t have to be complicated. But it does require attention—and support.
This checklist is a great first step. But to truly protect your business, your employees, and your reputation, it’s time to move from reactive to proactive.
Contact Computer Headquarters today for a free cyber readiness consultation and learn more about how our MSP Services can work for your business.
