Small businesses in the Albany Capital Region are prime targets for cyberattacks — not because they have more valuable data than large enterprises, but because attackers know they typically have less protection. Here are the 7 most common cybersecurity mistakes we see when onboarding new clients, and how to fix them.
1. No Employee Security Training
Over 90% of data breaches start with a phishing email. If your team can’t spot a phishing attempt, your expensive firewall won’t help. Regular security awareness training with simulated phishing tests is the single highest-ROI cybersecurity investment you can make.
2. Relying on Antivirus Alone
Traditional antivirus catches known threats but misses zero-day attacks, fileless malware, and advanced persistent threats. Modern businesses need Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR) — it monitors behavior patterns and can stop attacks that antivirus would miss entirely.
3. No Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
If a stolen password is all it takes to access your email, accounting software, or client data, you have a single point of failure. MFA adds a second verification step (usually a phone notification) that blocks 99.9% of automated attacks. It’s free on most platforms — there’s no excuse not to enable it.
4. Backups That Have Never Been Tested
Having backups is step one. Testing those backups is what actually matters. We regularly see Albany businesses discover their backups are corrupted or incomplete only after they need them. Our cloud backup solution includes regular restore testing so you know with certainty your data is recoverable.
5. No Dark Web Monitoring
Your employees’ credentials may already be on the dark web from past data breaches at other services. Dark web monitoring scans for your company’s email addresses and alerts you when credentials are compromised — so you can change passwords before attackers use them.
6. Ignoring Software Updates
Unpatched software is one of the most exploited attack vectors. The 2017 WannaCry ransomware attack exploited a Windows vulnerability that Microsoft had patched two months earlier. Automated patch management ensures your systems stay current without requiring manual updates from busy employees.
7. No Incident Response Plan
When a breach happens (not if — when), the first 60 minutes are critical. Without a documented incident response plan, panic sets in and mistakes compound. Every business should have a written plan covering: who to call, how to isolate affected systems, and how to communicate with clients.
Protect Your Business
Will Power PCs provides comprehensive cybersecurity services for businesses across the Capital Region — Albany, Schenectady, Troy, Clifton Park, and beyond.
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