Your Boise business does not need a Fortune 500 security budget to stop most cyberattacks. The truth is, the vast majority of breaches happen because of simple, preventable mistakes. This checklist covers the basics every Treasure Valley small business should have in place.
Accounts and Passwords
- Multi-factor authentication (MFA) on everything — email, banking, cloud apps. This single step blocks 99% of automated account attacks.
- Unique passwords for every account — use a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password.
- Remove accounts immediately when employees leave — former employee credentials are one of the most common breach entry points.
- Audit admin accounts quarterly — do you know everyone who has admin access to your systems?
Devices and Software
- Keep Windows and macOS updated — most ransomware exploits known vulnerabilities that patches already fix.
- Antivirus on every device — including employee laptops that connect to your network remotely.
- Encrypt your laptops — BitLocker on Windows, FileVault on Mac. If a laptop is stolen, encrypted data is useless to the thief.
- Disable remote desktop (RDP) if you do not need it — open RDP ports are one of the top ransomware entry points.
Backups
- Follow the 3-2-1 rule — 3 copies, 2 different media types, 1 offsite.
- Test your backups monthly — actually restore a file to confirm it works.
- Back up Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace separately — Microsoft and Google are not responsible for your data.
Network
- Change default router passwords — this takes two minutes and eliminates a huge attack surface.
- Separate guest WiFi from your business network — visitors and personal devices should never touch your business systems.
- Firewall with logging — know what is trying to get into your network.
People
- Train your team to spot phishing emails — most breaches start with one employee clicking one bad link.
- Have an incident response plan — what does your team do if ransomware hits on a Monday morning?
Need Help Implementing This?
Castle IT Solutions helps businesses across Boise, Meridian, and Eagle implement practical security — no jargon, no upselling. Call (208) 899-8860 for a free 30-minute assessment.