The SME Cyber Readiness Checklist: 20 Steps to Better Security

Cybersecurity doesn't have to be overwhelming or expensive. This checklist provides 20 actionable steps that any SME can implement to significantly improve their security posture.

People 1. Conduct cybersecurity awareness training for all staff 2. Designate a security point person 3. Establish acceptable use policies 4. Implement a clean desk policy 5. Create an incident reporting process

Technology 6. Deploy and update antivirus on all devices 7. Enable firewalls on all network boundaries 8. Implement multi-factor authentication 9. Use a password manager 10. Enable automatic software updates

Processes 11. Perform regular data backups (test recovery) 12. Maintain an asset inventory 13. Document your network architecture 14. Create an incident response plan 15. Review access permissions quarterly

Advanced 16. Implement network segmentation 17. Deploy email filtering and anti-phishing 18. Enable logging and monitoring 19. Conduct annual vulnerability assessments 20. Establish vendor security requirements

Getting Help Not every organization has the resources to implement all 20 steps simultaneously. Prioritize based on your risk profile and seek expert guidance where needed. NIFTECH offers tailored SME cybersecurity packages designed for African businesses.