Cybersecurity Awareness Month: four things every small business should do this October

Four practical steps, no budget required, that meaningfully reduce your risk this month and every month after.

Marquis Carroll, Founder · October 1, 2026 · Last reviewed October 1, 2026 · 6 min read

Small business team gathered around a laptop reviewing a password manager screen

Why October matters

Cybersecurity Awareness Month is a yearly reminder that most attacks on small businesses do not use advanced techniques. They use a guessed password, a convincing email, or software that was never updated. None of the four steps below require a budget. They require a decision and about an hour to get started.

1. Use strong passwords and a password manager

Reused and weak passwords are one of the most common ways accounts get taken over. A password manager creates and stores a long, unique password for every account, so no one has to remember dozens of them.

Pick one password manager for the whole team.
Require a unique password for every account, no exceptions for shared logins.
Never reuse a personal password for a work account.

2. Turn on multi-factor authentication

adds a second step at login, so a stolen password alone is not enough to get in. Turn it on first for email, banking, and any remote access to your network.

3. Recognize and report phishing

A email tries to get someone to click a link, open a file, or share a password. Staff who know the warning signs, and who feel safe reporting a mistake instead of hiding it, are your best defense.

Unexpected urgency or threats.
A sender address that looks slightly wrong.
A request for a password, gift card, or wire transfer.
A link that does not match the company it claims to be from.

4. Keep software updated

Software updates often fix known security holes. software quickly closes those holes before an attacker can use them. Turn on automatic updates for operating systems, browsers, and any business applications that offer it.

Put it together this month

Choose and roll out a password manager for the team.
Turn on MFA for email, banking, and remote access.
Hold a 15-minute session on spotting phishing.
Turn on automatic updates on every work device.

What to do next

01Pick a password manager today and set up the free or low-cost plan for your team.
02Enable MFA on your business email account before the end of the day.
03Send a short message to your team explaining how to report a suspicious email.