The start of a new year is one of the best times to review your IT and security setup. After the holidays—travel, remote work, and time off—small gaps can quietly turn into real risks. The good news? A few simple checks can make a big difference.
1. Update Devices That Were Offline
Laptops and desktops that weren’t used regularly over the holidays may have missed important updates. Make sure operating systems, antivirus, and business applications are fully up to date before normal work ramps up.
2. Review User Access
January is a great time to confirm that only current employees and vendors still have access to your systems. Remove old accounts, check admin permissions, and make sure multi-factor authentication is enabled where possible.
3. Check Your Backups (Don’t Just Assume)
Backups that “say” they’re running aren’t always usable. Verify that backups are completing successfully and, if possible, test restoring a file. This is one of the most common issues we see.
4. Revisit Wi-Fi and Network Settings
Confirm your Wi-Fi password hasn’t been shared too widely, guest Wi-Fi is separated from business systems, and your router or firewall firmware is up to date. These are small changes that significantly reduce risk.
5. Make Sure You Still Meet Cyber Insurance Requirements
Cyber insurance requirements change more often than many businesses realize. A quick review can help ensure your security controls still align with your policy—before you ever need to file a claim.
Not Sure Where to Start?
That’s exactly what our cybersecurity review is designed for.
During the review, we take a practical look at the areas where small businesses are most often exposed. This includes user access and permissions, device security and updates, backup status, Wi-Fi and network settings, and how your current controls align with common cyber insurance requirements. After the review, you’ll have a clear understanding of what’s working, what needs attention, and what can wait. If there are gaps, we explain them in plain language and outline realistic next steps, so you can make informed decisions—whether that means making small improvements now or planning longer-term changes later.
For many businesses, the biggest benefit is peace of mind. Knowing where you stand at the start of the year helps you avoid surprises, reduce risk, and focus on running your business instead of worrying about IT issues in the background. Schedule your free consultation today or call us at (203) 443-1646 to see how we can help keep you start the year protected and informed.
