How to build a simple cyber security strategy for your business

What is a small business cyber security strategy?

A small business cyber security strategy is a planned approach to managing cyber risk. It can help you decide how your people, processes and technology will work together to support your business.

Cyber threats can include scams, phishing attacks, ransomware and account compromises. A planned approach can help your business manage these risks and prepare for potential disruptions. 

You don’t need to be a cyber security expert to get started.

For a broader introduction, read our guide to cyber security basics for small business.

People: help your team make safer decisions 

People play an important role in helping protect a business from cyber risks. Everyday actions, such as clicking a suspicious link or reusing a password, can create opportunities for cyber criminals.

Cyber security awareness, employee education and regular staff training can help your team recognise potential threats and follow safer day-to-day practices. Find out how cyber security training can help protect your small business.

Practical actions to consider include:

• providing regular cyber security awareness training
• teaching staff how to identify suspicious emails and scams
• encouraging employees to report unusual activity
• building a culture where everyone shares responsibility for cyber security.

You can also explore our advice on phishing and scam awareness, one of the most common risks facing businesses.

Processes: creating safer ways of working

Effective cyber security processes help turn good intentions into consistent business practices. They define how your business manages risk, responds to incidents and makes day-to-day security decisions.

Create an incident response plan

When something unexpected happens, it's easier to respond if everyone knows their role. Even a simple incident response plan can help your team act more confidently and consistently.

This might include who to contact, how to report the incident and what information to record.

If you’re reviewing this area, you may find it useful to read about what to do if you're targeted by cyber crime.

Establish clear cyber security responsibilities

Cyber security works best when responsibilities are clearly understood across the business. This doesn't mean every business needs a dedicated cyber security specialist, but someone should be responsible for key activities.

Depending on the size of your business, responsibilities might include:

• managing user access
• approving software and technology changes
• maintaining business systems
• coordinating incident response activities
• reviewing cyber security risks.

Clearly assigning responsibilities can help reduce confusion and improve accountability.

Review access and permissions

Employees, contractors and suppliers often need access to systems, devices and information. Over time, access requirements can change as people move roles or leave the business.

Regularly reviewing access permissions can help ensure people only have access to the systems and information they need to do their job.

Review your approach regularly

Cyber security is not a one-off project. As your business evolves, your cyber security approach may need to evolve too.

Consider reviewing your strategy when:

• introducing new technology
• expanding into new markets
• engaging new suppliers
• hiring additional employees
• recovering from a cyber incident.

Regular reviews can help ensure your approach remains aligned to business priorities.

Examples of cyber security controls

Once you've identified your priorities and risks, you can decide which cyber security controls may help protect your business.

Common controls include password management, multi-factor authentication (MFA), software updates, backups and endpoint protection. The controls that make sense for your business will depend on your systems, the way your team works and the information you need to protect.

You can learn more about specific controls in our guides to:

• password management for business
• multi-factor authentication (MFA)
• why software updates matter.

Rather than focusing on one control in isolation, a cyber security strategy helps you decide which measures are appropriate for your business and how they work together as part of a broader approach.

Technology: adding practical layers of protection

Technology can help support the security habits and processes you already have in place. Think of it as another layer that can support the way your people work and the processes you follow.

While technology alone won't prevent every cyber incident, it can provide valuable protection when combined with trained people and effective processes.

Examples may include:

• device security solutions
• endpoint protection software
• Virtual private networks (VPNs)
• threat detection tools
• secure backup solutions.

For many small and medium-sized businesses, understanding the risks is only part of the challenge. Finding practical tools that are straightforward to set up and manage can be just as important. 

Solutions such as Telstra Device Security for Business can help add an extra layer of protection for devices connected to your business, alongside the people and processes already in place.

If you're unsure where to start, you can request a call back from the Telstra Business Technology Centre to discuss your business needs and explore cyber security options that may suit your organisation. 
 

Why people, processes and technology work better together

It can be tempting to focus on a single cyber security solution. But technology can’t prevent every mistake, and staff training is more effective when it is supported by clear processes.

A stronger approach combines:

• informed people who can recognise common risks
• practical processes that guide consistent behaviours
• appropriate technology that adds protective controls.

Together, these layers can help reduce risk, improve resilience and make it more difficult for cyber criminals to succeed.

Businesses looking to strengthen these foundations further may also find value in the ASD Essential Eight, a practical framework that brings together multiple security measures to help improve cyber resilience.

Need help strengthening your cyber security?

If you're just getting started, build a strong foundation before developing a broader cyber security strategy around your people, processes and technology.

Visit our guide to Cyber Security Basics for small business for practical actions you can take to help strengthen your cyber security.

If you'd like advice tailored to your business, contact your Telstra Business Technology Centre.