Is Your Business Hackable?

The 25 items in this checklist are not arbitrary. They map directly to established cybersecurity frameworks including the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and CIS Controls, distilled into language that any business owner can understand. Each item represents a specific, measurable control that reduces your attack surface.

The controls span five categories: Identity and Access Management, Endpoint Security, Email Protection, Data Backup and Recovery, and Compliance and Governance. Together they form a baseline security posture that addresses the most common attack vectors affecting small and mid-size businesses today.

In practice, the most common gaps we find in SMBs are the simplest to fix. Multi-factor authentication is still not enforced on all accounts at many businesses. Admin accounts are shared rather than individually assigned. Backups exist but have never been tested for recovery. These quick wins can dramatically improve your security posture in days rather than months.

For businesses subject to HIPAA, PCI-DSS, or other regulatory requirements, this checklist serves as an initial self-assessment. Many of the 25 controls are explicitly required by these frameworks. Gaps identified here often translate directly to compliance findings during formal audits, so addressing them early saves time and money.

Long-term improvements like security awareness training programs, endpoint detection and response, and formal incident response plans require more investment but provide compounding returns. Start with the quick wins, then build toward a comprehensive security program that grows with your business.