3 Cybersecurity Mistakes Most Businesses Make and How to Avoid Them

Cybersecurity risks get increasingly complex every year, and businesses of all kinds are under attack. Despite their best efforts, many companies face significant cybersecurity challenges due to cybercriminals’ sophisticated tactics — and the tactics are only getting more sophisticated. Attackers are evolving, and even well-prepared organizations can become targets. Rather than focusing on mistakes, it’s important to recognize that businesses are up against skilled adversaries. The key is to continue adapting and strengthening defenses to stay ahead of the evolving threat landscape.

The constantly evolving nature of cyber threats indicates it’s crucial to recognize where businesses must focus. Given this, I suggest focusing on three of the most common cybersecurity errors companies make with actionable advice on safeguarding against them. These observations are meant to help you fortify your defenses, which come from my experience and the developing patterns I have observed over my career.

Related: How AI Can Improve Cybersecurity for Businesses of All Sizes

Mistake #1: Overcomplicating security protocols

In cybersecurity, robust security measures are essential, yet overly complicated protocols can paradoxically weaken an organization’s security posture by driving users toward dangerous workarounds.

Understanding human behavior is crucial for effective security design. Just as consumer products succeed through intuitive interfaces, security protocols must balance protection with usability. Evidence shows that when faced with cumbersome security measures, even well-intentioned employees will find shortcuts, potentially creating significant vulnerabilities.

The solution lies in human-centered security design. By implementing straightforward but effective measures that are natural in flow for the user and implementing layered defenses, like Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), organizations can achieve substantial risk reduction while maintaining high user adoption rates. This approach proves more effective than complex protocols that often fail in practical applications due to poor user compliance. Many businesses might be surprised to learn that multi-factor authentication (MFA) is highly effective in preventing credential stuffing attacks, which lead to account takeovers. MFA stops over 99.9% of these attacks when implemented properly.

Organizations must prioritize simplicity and user experience alongside technical robustness to build resilient security systems. This means implementing security measures that work with, rather than against, human nature — creating a framework that protects assets while enabling productive work. The most effective security solutions are those that employees will consistently use, not necessarily the most technically sophisticated ones.

Mistake #2: Underestimating the impact of insider threat

Concentrating on external cyber threats like ransomware or phishing seems essential. Yet, it’s easy to miss the damage that might come from inside your organization — whether intentional or accidental. In reality, human error is the leading cause of most security breaches.

With attacks happening every 39 seconds on average, cyber threats represent a severe and constant concern. Even with top-notch training, team members are still prone to oversight, like how distracted workers could accidentally share sensitive files or fall for social engineering schemes.

To mitigate insider threats, start by building trust but verifying measures. Consider peer reviews for critical access actions, ensuring that employees aren’t the sole gatekeepers of crucial data. Another strategy is implementing behavior-based analytics to detect unusual actions. For example, if an employee who works 9-to-5 suddenly logs in at 2 AM from a different location, that’s a red flag worth investigating.

Additionally, consider deploying “decoy scenarios” — a method known as honey potting — where you set up vulnerable-looking systems or files to lure internal and external attackers. This gives you insight into how these attackers operate and where your vulnerabilities lie. Always be two steps ahead by expecting human error and intentional malfeasance to ensure your business has the mechanisms to spot it early.

Related: Cyber Attacks Are Inevitable — So Stop Preparing For If One Happens and Start Preparing For When One Will

Mistake #3: Neglecting incident response planning

The primary error that could make or break a company’s future is failing to develop a comprehensive incident response strategy. Regardless of size or reputation, each business will eventually experience a breach. Your ability to react effectively will determine whether you suffer long-term repercussions or reclaim your reputation.

The preparatory phase of incident response is just as important as the actual response to a breach. I often describe it as having a digital disaster playbook. An attack can leave your company inoperable for days or weeks without proper preparation. Effective response planning involves several crucial steps:

• having accurate backups in place that are disconnected from daily operations, which makes them disconnected from attackers
• ensuring those backups are stored securely
• keeping digital logs that record relevant details
• educating employees on response protocols

Let’s say there is a breach, and you are unsure who is accountable, how they gained access, or whether they are still inside your systems. You’ll be left in a bind without robust digital forensics measures. But, with the right planning, you have immediate backups to restore, the right logs to examine what happened and employees who understand the proper chain of command. The attack doesn’t go away, but its impact can be dramatically reduced.

Cybersecurity equates to a brand issue. Customers and clients have reservations about the way you handle their data, and a poorly managed breach can quickly bring your company down. Conversely, companies may boost their image by addressing cybersecurity issues with competence and integrity. Your company’s strategic decisions regarding cybersecurity ought to be informed and shaped by a board-level discussion and initiative.

Anticipate the worst, but be ready for a more severe situation. This way, in the event that an incident arises, the response will be prompt and well-organized. Treat incident response planning like a fire drill, where everyone understands, practices and knows how to handle it without hesitation.

Related: 3 Reasons to Increase Your Cybersecurity Protocols in 2024

Understanding the enemy

Cybersecurity is a moving target. The current risks we face will change over time, and new ones are bound to arise. Attackers’ tactics will only become more complex in the upcoming years as technologies like blockchain and artificial intelligence become increasingly common.

We must always be on the lookout, able to adapt and one step ahead. Cybersecurity is about resilience. Mistakes, however you want to prevent them, will eventually happen. Breaches might occur, but how you plan for and respond to these challenges defines your success as a business leader.