The Biggest Mistakes I See Business Owners Making In IT And Cybersecurity

A client recently asked me, “What mistakes do you see business owners making the most concerning IT and cybersecurity?” 

Oh, where to begin… 

After years of working with businesses of all sizes, the biggest mistake I see time and again is treating IT and cybersecurity as an afterthought. It doesn’t matter how many data breaches are in the news; I see business owners after business owners either underestimating the real risks of cyber threats or assuming that setting up some basic protections is enough. I hate to be the one to break it to you, but it’s not enough. A single breach, ransomware attack, or IT failure can cripple your business overnight. And yet, too many companies take a reactive approach—prioritizing security only after something goes wrong, which, guess what, is more tiresome and more expensive.

Another common mistake? Thinking free software is “good enough.” Look, I get it. Free antivirus programs, consumer-grade routers, and DIY security setups seem like an easy way to save money, especially when you’re a small business and inflation is everywhere. But those “savings” quickly evaporate when your business suffers a data breach, faces compliance fines, or loses critical client trust. If you wouldn’t run your business on a free spreadsheet app, why would you trust your entire security infrastructure to bargain-bin software?

Then, there’s the issue of underestimating the cost of downtime. Many businesses assume they can afford to be offline for a few hours if something breaks. But when your network goes down, your team can’t work for hours or even days, your customers can’t access your services, and you start hemorrhaging money. A solid IT strategy isn’t just about security—it’s about ensuring operational continuity so that you don't have to scramble to recover when disaster strikes (and to some degree, it will). 

And finally, the most overlooked mistake is failing to plan for the long game. IT and cybersecurity aren’t set-it-and-forget-it investments. Threats evolve, technology changes, and hackers get more sophisticated every day. If you’re not proactively assessing, updating, and reinforcing your security posture, you’re already falling behind.

At the end of the day, you need to protect what you’ve built.

So, what’s the solution? I’ll give it to you straight. 

1. Stop taking shortcuts. Invest in professional-grade IT and security solutions, not band-aid fixes.

2. Think long-term. A solid cybersecurity plan isn’t a one-time project—it’s an ongoing commitment. 

3. Get expert guidance. You don’t have to (and shouldn’t) navigate the complexities of IT security alone. Ensure you surround yourself with knowledgeable individuals who can assist you in staying up-to-date. 

If you’re ready to take IT and cybersecurity seriously, let’s talk. Click here to book a free 30-minute security assessment, and let’s make sure your business isn’t one click away from disaster. 

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