Now that we’re officially settled into 2026, it’s the perfect time to talk about what every business should be doing to strengthen its technology and security. (By the way - how is March already over?!?)  

Because there is so much to this, I’m breaking the info into two blogs: 
Part 1: Cybersecurity Must-Dos 
Part 2: IT Efficiencies for SMBs (coming late April 2026) 

For today, let’s dive into the top five cybersecurity must-dos every small to medium-sized business should prioritize this month. 

These items aren’t ranked, as each one plays a critical role in protecting your environment. And as always, partnering with a cybersecurity team like Networks Plus (or your internal IT staff) is the best way to know where to begin and how to build a solid implementation plan. 

So grab your favorite caffeinated beverage, and let’s get started. 

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) 

Surprised we're starting here? Most people know MFA is important, yet the most common response I hear is, “We know we need it… we’re just worried users will complain.” 

Here are two promises I can make:  

1.) MFA is far less annoying than a cyber breach. 

2.) Most people already use MFA daily (banking apps, email, online accounts—you name it.) 

So why does MFA make the Top 5 list? Because it's one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect your “keys to the kingdom.” Passwords alone just aren’t enough anymore. 

MFA works by requiring two or more of the following: 

• Something you know — password or PIN 
• Something you have — smartphone, USB token 
• Something you are — fingerprint or facial recognition 

Microsoft found that MFA can block over 99% of account compromise attacks - a staggering reduction for a step that adds about five seconds to your login process. 

Bottom line: those five seconds can save you days or weeks of downtime. 

Adopt a CIS-Based Security Framework 

Every business needs a roadmap for cybersecurity, and a framework gives you exactly that. We strongly recommend the CIS Controls Version 8, a framework designed by the Center for Internet Security and aligned with CISA’s best practices. 

Learn more: https://www.cisecurity.org/controls/v8 

Frameworks help you: 

• Identify what’s important 
• Prioritize steps correctly 
• Allocate resources effectively 
• Reduce risk through proven best practices 

While there are many frameworks out there (and many overlap), CIS V8 is one of the easiest and most effective for SMBs. If you operate in a regulated industry like HIPAA, CMMC, or PCI, you’ll also need to follow those compliance guidelines, which can add more specific requirements. 

If all of this sounds overwhelming, you're not alone. This is exactly where a cybersecurity expert becomes invaluable. 

Harden Microsoft 365 (M365) 

M365 adoption continues to grow rapidly. and for good reason. It’s powerful, flexible, and packed with security features… most of which go unused. 

Here’s the issue: 
When SMBs set up Microsoft 365, they often choose the bare‑minimum settings just to get things running. The default configuration is intentionally basic to avoid early friction—but that means it’s not secure. 

With the right configuration, M365 can provide: 

• Conditional Access policies 
• Legacy authentication blocking 
• Administrative account lockdowns 
• Sign-in alerting and monitoring 
• Granular security settings tailored to your business 

It’s like buying a Swiss Army knife and only using the knife. You’re paying for the whole tool set—why not use it? 

Implement Reliable Backups (and Actually Test Them) 

You should back up your data with the mindset that a ransomware attack will happen at some point. Most businesses think they’re protected, but: 

• They don’t know where backups are stored 
• They’ve never tested whether the backups work 
• They haven’t checked for corruption or failures 
• They don’t know how quickly data could be restored 

This is a recipe for disaster. 

If your backup fails and you discover it too late, you could lose years of work. That’s why an image‑based solution with automated verification is essential. 

As for how often to back up: 

• If losing a week of data is acceptable → weekly 
• If losing an hour of data is unacceptable → hourly 

Backups can be complex and time‑consuming to manage, which is why it's one of the most commonly outsourced IT services. 

Train Your Employees  

If you’ve heard me present before, you already know this: training will always make the list. 
That’s because humans are still the #1 security risk. 

No matter how good your tools are, one rushed click can undo everything. 

Most employees believe they can spot phishing scams a mile away, but statistically, that’s just not true. We move fast. We trust too quickly. And yes, people really have approved MFA prompts from Russia. 

Thankfully, training doesn’t have to be a burden. Modern training platforms offer: 

• Short, easy-to-digest training modules 
• Monthly phishing simulations 
• Repeat testing for frequent clickers 
• Progress tracking and reporting 

Cybersecurity is not just about tools - it’s about people. When your staff becomes more aware of evolving threats, your security posture multiplies. 

Final Thoughts 

Cybersecurity isn’t a one-time project. It’s an ongoing process that blends technology, planning, and human awareness. These five must-dos are a strong foundation for protecting your business in 2026 and beyond. 

If you want help getting started, developing a roadmap, or tackling any of the items above, the Networks Plus team is always here to help.