In today’s world, every business is a tech business. Whether you’re running a small high-street shop, a boutique accountancy firm, or a growing e-commerce brand, you rely on technology more than you may realise. And that means your business is vulnerable—not just to power outages or hardware failures, but to something far more insidious: cybercrime.
Yet cybersecurity often remains an afterthought.
Why Cybersecurity Is No Longer Optional
As Gavin Dixon of Business IT Solutions (BITS) said on our podcast, the days of cybersecurity being the sole domain of the “IT guy” are long gone. Cyber threats are now a company-wide risk, and protecting your data is as important as locking your doors at night.
If your systems were attacked tomorrow and your business couldn't operate—how much would that cost you? Could you recover? Would your customers trust you again?
Unfortunately, many SMEs assume they’re too small to be targeted. But the data says otherwise. Cybercriminals are increasingly automating attacks, sending out thousands of phishing emails and scanning for vulnerabilities 24/7. They only need to be right once—you need to be vigilant all the time.
The “Digital Alarm System” Analogy
Think of your business like your home. You lock the doors, set an alarm, maybe even have CCTV. Cybersecurity works the same way. It’s a multi-layered defence system:
-
Strong, unique passwords (not reused across personal and work accounts)
-
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) to verify identities
-
Up-to-date firewalls and antivirus protection
-
Regular software patching and system updates
-
Secure backups—tested regularly, not just assumed to be working
A small lapse—like using the same password across multiple platforms—can be the equivalent of leaving a window open for a burglar.
Human Error: The #1 Threat
Most cyber breaches don’t happen because of technical wizardry—they happen because someone clicked a dodgy link. In fact, over 65% of successful attacks stem from human error.
This makes staff education crucial. Your team needs to understand:
-
How to spot phishing emails
-
Why not to reuse passwords
-
What to do if something seems suspicious
And most importantly: they need to feel safe reporting it. A delay of hours—or even minutes—can make the difference between a minor blip and a total breach.
Have a Plan: Containment, Eradication, Recovery
If a breach does happen, time is of the essence. You need a clear plan:
-
Contain the threat—disconnect affected systems, shut down internet access if necessary.
-
Eradicate it—identify and remove malware or compromised access points.
-
Recover—restore from clean, tested backups and get your systems running again.
Also, don’t forget your legal obligations:
-
Report to the Data Protection Commissioner within 72 hours.
-
Notify affected clients if personal data has been compromised.
-
In some cases, report to the Gardaí Cyber Crime Unit.
Have your incident response plan printed and stored physically, not just on your system (which might be inaccessible during a breach!).
The Role of the Right IT Partner
Cybersecurity is constantly evolving. AI has made phishing emails indistinguishable from real ones. Attackers can now spoof your business email and trick your staff into transferring funds or clicking fake Microsoft login pages.
That’s why it’s vital to work with a dedicated IT and cybersecurity partner—like Gavin’s team at BITS—who stays ahead of the threats and regularly reviews your defences. Their “traffic light system” identifies critical vulnerabilities so you can fix what matters most, fast.
This isn’t about selling fear. It’s about building trust and staying in business.
Takeaway for Business Owners
As a business owner, you don’t need to become a cybersecurity expert—but you do need to take it seriously. Just as you have insurance, employee contracts, and financial controls, you need a cybersecurity policy.
Here’s your basic checklist:- Use strong, unique passwords
- Enable MFA across all systems
- Patch software and run updates
- Backup data—and test the backups
- Educate your team
- Create a response plan (and print it!)
- Talk to your insurance broker about cybersecurity cover
- Partner with a reliable IT provider
Don’t Bury Your Head
Cybercrime isn’t just something that happens to “big companies.” It’s happening to businesses just like yours—every single day. But with the right layers of protection, and the right people guiding you, you can dramatically reduce the risk.
The cost of doing nothing is far greater than the cost of preparation.
Educate. Equip. Empower.
Let’s make cybersecurity part of your business strategy—not just your IT setup.
