Information Security for Small Businesses: A 15-Point Checklist for CEOs
A practical information security checklist for SMEs: access control, MFA, backup, updates, email, and staff. Audit your company in 15 minutes.
Information security is the protection of company data from loss, theft, and unauthorized access — whether it is on a server, in the cloud, or on a laptop. For a small business, this does not mean expensive systems, but rather a few basic measures that prevent the majority of real-world incidents.
TL;DR — Key Highlights
- Most incidents in small businesses exploit missing fundamentals.
- A CEO can review the 15 points below in fifteen minutes by asking IT these questions.
- Every "I don't know" counts as a "No".
- More than 3 "No" answers mean it is time for a security audit.
Checklist
| # | Question | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Is MFA enabled on all accounts? | A stolen password is not enough |
| 2 | Do former employees no longer have access? | A frequent source of incidents |
| 3 | Does every employee have only the access they need? | Reduces damage during a breach |
| 4 | Is there an off-site backup? | Protection against ransomware |
| 5 | Has a restore from backup been tested this year? | An untested backup is not a backup |
| 6 | Do systems update automatically? | Closing known vulnerabilities |
| 7 | Do computers have EDR protection? | Detecting active attacks |
| 8 | Are SPF, DKIM, and DMARC set up? | Protection against email spoofing |
| 9 | Is guest Wi-Fi separate? | Guests cannot see the internal network |
| 10 | Are laptops encrypted? | Losing a device doesn't mean losing data |
| 11 | Do you have an inventory of hardware and software? | You cannot protect what you don't know |
| 12 | Have employees had training this year? | Phishing remains the #1 entry point |
| 13 | Is there a verification process for bank transfers? | Protection against CEO fraud |
| 14 | Do you know who to call in case of an incident? | Faster response times |
| 15 | Are there rules for using AI tools? | Preventing data leaks into AI models |
Next Steps
Start with points 1, 4, 5, and 6 — they provide the most protection for the least effort. For point 15, our article on Company AI Policy can help, and for point 8, see our guide on SPF, DKIM, and DMARC.
3-2-1 Backup in PracticeHow to properly protect company data.Frequently Asked Questions
- Is information security the same as cybersecurity?
- Information security is broader: it also covers physical documents and processes, while cybersecurity focuses on digital systems.
- How much does this cost a small business?
- Most points can be implemented with existing Microsoft 365 licenses and a few hours of an IT expert's time.
- Do we need ISO 27001?
- Only if required by clients or regulations. This checklist serves as a solid foundation for future certification.
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