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Top 5 Cybersecurity Mistakes Growing Companies Make – and How to Avoid Them

Updated: Nov 6

In a fast-past business landscape, as companies grow, so do their cybersecurity risks. For busy and emerging businesses, ensuring their digital security might not be at the top of their priorities but safeguarding their sensitive data, protecting their systems and preventing disruptions, data breaches and incidents is paramount. In this blog, we will take a look at the most common mistakes we see growing businesses make and how to avoid them.


Mistake #1: Underestimating Insider Threats


The first common mistake we see growing companies make is underestimating insider threats. Trust among your team is great, but there are a range of insider threats you need to be aware off, including accidents. Malicious attempts involve intentional harm by disgruntled employees or contractors. Accidental threats include mishaps such as sending information to the wrong recipient. Negligent threats include poor security practices which make it easier for malicious parties to gain access.


MSSPs like 4D employ continuous monitoring and detection to prevent insider threats proactively and improve security practices such as enterprise password management. That’s one less thing for you to think about!


Mistake #2: Failing to Prioritise Regular Vulnerability Scanning


Growing companies are busy and often fail to employ a vulnerability scan which would highlight possible areas of weaknesses that attackers may see as an ‘entry point’. These scans test vulnerabilities in servers, workstations, software flaws and system configurations. They are also useful for scanning wireless networks to check for rogue access points, weak authentication protocols and checking encryption protocols.


MSSPs like 4D leverage tools such as vPenTest and Advanced Vulnerability scanning to provide continuous automated scans and assessments.


Mistake #3: Over-Reliance on Outdated Security Tools


We commonly see growing companies relying on traditional tools such as firewalls and antivirus software. The issue is that these cannot keep up with modern threats and typically use outdated tools. It is crucial to always employ the latest next-generation cybersecurity defences that learn continuously, staying ahead of attacker’s tricks and tactics.


MSSPs stay ahead of the attacker’s tools with advanced solutions such as AI-driven defences and cloud security.


Mistake #4: Weak Password Practices and Poor Access Management


Directors of growing companies cannot always keep an eye on staff processes and ensure protocols are regularly updated to keep the business and its assets safe. We commonly see businesses using weak passwords, letting their employees choose their own passwords which are usually easy to guess and do not employ strong combinations of mixed cases, random symbols and numbers. Poor access controls also offer attacker an entry point into your business.


Enterprise password vault solutions like Keeper and Bitwarden help your business manage its application credentials across all platform, storing credentials, providing two-factor authentication with hardware-based security keys and password generators. Keeper is best for smaller organisations while Bitwarden is perfect for mid-sized businesses and teams that want to self-host a password manager.


Mistake #5: Ignoring Security Awareness Training for Employees


We know that growing businesses have lots of actions, smaller teams and tend to hire quickly, which can leave training on phishing and social engineering on the back-burner but this can have detrimental effects. Employees who are unaware of social engineering tactics can inadvertently click on malicious links, share sensitive data with people who appear to have an email address similar to their own employee address and fall for tricks which can compromise the security of your business and systems. We have seen this happen even in organisations as large as NHS, whose networks and employees have fallen for phishing links, allowing attackers access to private data and, in some cases, taking down systems and records. We have also seen it have world-impact in cases such as Edward Snowden, the whistleblower who leaked classified NSA surveillance details to the media in 2013.


MSSPs provide not just training but simulations for staff to increase their knowledge and confidence and build a security-aware culture across all employees.


Bonus Tips: How to Strengthen Your Cyber Defences Today

Want one less thing to worry about? Here’s how to strengthen your cyber defences today.


Get 4Defence Ultimate Package


4Defence Ultimate by 4D offers an advanced cybersecurity package designed for proactive threat prevention and resilience. It includes continuous automated penetration testing, enhanced vulnerability scanning, and comprehensive managed services like endpoint protection, cloud management, and password vaulting. It also provides email spoofing prevention, human risk management, and optional 24/7 Security Operations Centre (SOC) monitoring. This solution equips businesses to stay secure, agile, and ready to adapt as cybersecurity risks evolve, supporting long-term growth with robust defences.


Take these quick actionable steps to improve security immediately in the meantime


-          Encourage all employees to set randomised passwords

-          Schedule calendar reminders more regularly for these passwords to be changed

-          Remind employees to check email addresses thoroughly before sending documents and password protect and encrypt documents as standard practice

-          Download software onto computers that allows employees a preview of a link before they click


Need advice on an MSSP that is right for your business with scalable and customised security as your business grows? We’d be happy to help find the right solution for you. Visit our website here for more or call us on +441481240400.

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