June 07, 2025
🛡 "It Won't Happen to Us" — The Costly Myth of Cybersecurity Deficiencies in Small Business
Let's be honest.
When you hear "cybersecurity," your mind probably jumps to big firms with teams of IT people, firewalls that cost a fortune, and acronyms you'd rather not Google.
Meanwhile, you're trying to keep the team productive, invoices paid, and the Wi-Fi from dropping out again in the middle of a Teams call.
So when someone brings up cybersecurity risks, it's easy to say, "We're just a small business—no one's targeting us."
But here's the truth: That myth is costing small businesses across Staffordshire thousands of pounds, hours of stress, and in some cases, their livelihoods.
And it's time to talk about it.
The Cybercriminal's New Favourite Target: You
Hackers aren't just going after the big boys anymore.
In fact, small businesses are now more likely to be attacked than large ones—because criminals know you're the softest target.
You don't have a dedicated IT department. Your backups (if any) are probably stored on someone's USB stick. And your staff haven't had a security refresher since before COVID.
They know it only takes one email—a fake invoice, a dodgy Dropbox link—and they're in.
A local engineering firm in Cannock lost access to their files for four days after a ransomware attack last year. No backup. No plan. Just a growing panic and a bill to clean up the mess.
The Quiet Cracks in Your Defences
Most small businesses we speak to aren't reckless. They care deeply about doing things right.
But in the whirlwind of day-to-day operations, little gaps form—and that's all it takes.
Here are five of the most common cybersecurity deficiencies we see in Staffordshire firms:
1. No Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
It's free. It takes minutes. And yet, many businesses still rely on single passwords for critical systems like email and file sharing.
One cracked password can open the door to your entire company.
2. Poor Password Hygiene
We still see "123456" and "Spring2023!" used across multiple logins. Staff reuse passwords, write them down, or share them via email. A password manager? "We've been meaning to look into that…"
3. Unsecured Wi-Fi
At least three offices we've visited recently were still using the default router login. One had a network named "SmithsOffice" and a password of "Smiths123." Guess how long that took to guess?
4. Dodgy Backups
Some businesses back up to a portable hard drive that lives in the office drawer. Others use Dropbox without version control. In both cases, if you're hit by ransomware, your backups are likely to be encrypted too.
5. Staff Training? What Staff Training?
Phishing emails are clever these days. Your team needs to know what to look for. And they need reminding—because it's not just about spotting red flags. It's about staying sharp.
The Emotional Cost of "It's Too Late"
One of our clients—a professional services firm in Lichfield—thought they were covered. Then their bookkeeper clicked on a link pretending to be from HMRC.
By the time they rang us, client records were locked. Emails were compromised. Their reputation? Wobbly, at best.
"I felt sick," the MD told me. "Like someone had broken into the office and rifled through everything."
And that's the part we don't talk about enough.
The emotional toll.
Because when IT fails, you feel exposed. Ashamed. Out of control.
It's not just lost files. It's sleepless nights. Staff giving you that "now what?" look. The sinking feeling that you let something slip.
But Here's the Good News…
Cybersecurity doesn't have to be overwhelming, expensive, or wrapped in tech-speak.
Small changes make a big difference.
Here's what we recommend for Staffordshire businesses with up to 50 staff:
✅ Turn on MFA Everywhere
Email. CRM. Accounting software. It's the digital equivalent of a deadbolt.
✅ Use a Password Manager
Give your team secure, unique logins—and stop relying on memory or scribbled notes.
✅ Get a Proper Backup Solution
Automatic, cloud-based, with version history and off-site recovery. Sleep easier.
✅ Run Monthly Phishing Simulations
It's like fire drills for email. Regular practice keeps staff on their toes.
✅ Get Certified
Cyber Essentials isn't just a badge—it's a checklist that forces you to plug the gaps. And it builds trust with clients, too.
This Isn't About Fear. It's About Freedom.
Imagine knowing that:
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Your emails are protected, even if a password leaks.
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Your files are safe, even if someone clicks the wrong link.
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Your staff know what to do when something smells "phishy."
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You can recover within hours, not weeks, after an incident.
That's not paranoia. That's peace of mind.
That's time back in your day to focus on growth, not fire-fighting.
That's the difference between "I hope it doesn't happen" and "We're ready if it does."
One Final Thought
You don't need to become a cybersecurity expert.
You just need someone you trust to quietly handle it behind the scenes, keep you informed without baffling you, and jump in when it matters.
If that sounds like a breath of fresh air, we should talk.
Because every business deserves tech that protects, not panics.
And every business owner deserves to sleep easy at night.