Why Small and Medium Businesses Need a Security Program — and What the “Bare Minimum” Looks Like
For many small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs), cybersecurity investments are often driven by three forces:
Client Requirements – Customers increasingly expect their partners to have documented security practices. Many large companies now require vendors to complete security questionnaires or pass audits before contracts are signed.
Investor Requirements – If you’re seeking funding, investors want assurance that security risks are under control and won’t derail growth or valuation.
Business Continuity – No one wants to deal with a work stoppage, lost data, or reputational damage from a breach. Even a short disruption can be costly and chaotic.
These pressures often lead to what some call a “bare minimum” security program. That label can sound dismissive, but in reality, a strong baseline is both a practical and strategic move. If implemented thoughtfully, these core controls can address the most common attack vectors and satisfy most basic compliance expectations.
The Bare Minimum Security Program for SMBs
Identity Management
MFA Everywhere: Require multi-factor authentication for all accounts. Tokens or authenticator apps are preferable over SMS or passwords alone.
Passwordless Where Possible: Moving away from passwords reduces phishing and credential theft risks.
Admin Account Controls: Limit admin privileges, track usage, and enforce approval processes for password resets.
Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)
Deploy EDR that automatically contains or remediates threats without waiting for manual intervention.
Centrally enforce patching, security configuration, and compliance monitoring across all endpoints.
Email Protection
Spam & Malware Filtering: Block malicious attachments and links before they reach users.
Execution Prevention: Restrict the ability to run untrusted files or scripts from email.
Web Filtering: Block access to high-risk website categories to prevent drive-by downloads and phishing.
Incident Response Preparedness
Maintain a clear, tested plan for responding to security incidents — who does what, when, and how.
Conduct tabletop exercises so the first time you practice isn’t during a real breach.
Third-Party Risk Management
Maintain an inventory of all vendors, service providers, and contractors with access to company data or systems.
Assign a risk rating to each vendor based on the sensitivity of the data they handle and their security posture.
Regularly review and update vendor risk assessments — clients and investors will look heavily at this.
Other Considerations
If you’re a product company, your product’s own security should be part of the conversation. Similarly, if you operate in the cloud, access management and cloud security posture management are essential next steps once your baseline is in place.
Bottom line: You don’t need an enterprise-sized budget to establish a security program that meets client and investor expectations and protects your business from costly disruptions. A disciplined approach to these core areas gives SMBs the best return on their security investment — and a strong foundation to grow from.
Cipher North can help right-size your security program — building a baseline that’s both defensible and practical for your business stage, while preparing you to scale security as you grow. Schedule a Consultation Today