Low-Cost Security for Small Businesses
Category
Awareness, Cybersecurity Fundamentals
Risk Level
Cybersecurity doesn’t have to be expensive—affordable training and free government resources can go a long way in protecting your business from human error, the root of most cyber incidents.
If you're a business owner—especially running a small business—cybersecurity might feel overwhelming or far too expensive to tackle. But here's some good news: one of the most important steps you can take doesn’t have to cost much at all - ensuring remedial cybersecurity training actually happens!
“Why is training so important?”
The truth is, most cybersecurity incidents happen because of simple human errors—things like clicking on a phishing email or not immediately recognizing a security risk. That’s why it’s so important to make sure your team knows what to look out for. And while having a full-scale training program would be ideal, we get that it might not be in the budget for smaller businesses. Luckily, there are some great low-cost (and even free) resources you can tap into:
The Department of Defense (DoD) offers a Cyber Awareness Challenge every year. The training is required for government employees, but it’s also publicly available and packed with useful information on the latest cyber threats and best practices for keeping both personal and work information secure.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has tons of free or affordable cybersecurity training resources. Whether you're looking to train employees or develop your own cybersecurity skills, they’ve got you covered with a wide range of topics—from general awareness to professional development.
Another important part of building cyber awareness is practicing real-world scenarios. That’s where the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) comes in. They offer no-cost tabletop exercises that simulate everything from cyberattacks to physical threats, helping your team practice how they’d respond in a real-life situation.
These resources are a great start and work well for general training. But once you’ve got the basics down, consider adding role-specific training too. Not everyone faces the same cyber risks—what your front desk needs to know is not the same as what your IT manager needs to know. Tailoring your training based on roles helps make sure everyone’s prepared for the threats they’re most likely to face in their individual positions.
“We train our users regularly - what is next?”
Another smart move is to create a System Security Plan (SSP) for your business. Think of it as your cybersecurity playbook. It lays out details of your systems, the security controls you have in place, and how everything works together to keep your data safe. This document should be kept up to date and accessible, so anyone on your team—no matter their role—can refer to it and understand how they fit into your cybersecurity strategy. If you're aiming for CMMC compliance, an SSP is a must, but it’s valuable for any business looking to improve their security posture. If you need help getting started, download our free and complete SSP template.
“We’re here to help!”
At the end of the day, cybersecurity is a team effort. Luckily, if you need help getting started or want more hands-on support, Hive Systems is here to help. Like the free training options but want something tailored to your company or industry? Our in-depth cybersecurity training will help you build a stronger, safer organization without breaking your budget.
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