Gary Perkins, CISO at CISO Global
Cybersecurity may seem complex, but it boils down to consistent implementation of best practices. Disabling unnecessary services, securing cloud configurations, enforcing MFA, training employees, and adopting a proactive security mindset are crucial steps to safeguarding your business. In 2025, prioritize these basics to significantly reduce your exposure to threats and maintain trust with your clients and partners.
Now that we’ve successfully “circled back in the new year” and 2025 is well underway, the cybersecurity landscape continues to evolve, and the need for businesses to prioritize their security measures has never been greater. Ransomware and other cyber threats are on the rise, and attackers are becoming increasingly sophisticated. However, by focusing on fundamental security practices, businesses can prevent up to 80% of common problems. Here are five essential practices you may not know or might be overlooking, but are critical for keeping your business secure.
Disable Unnecessary Services and Restrict Access
Leaving services open for remote access (like Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) or Virtual Network Computing (VNC) from the internet is a recipe for disaster. Attackers can easily identify and exploit these entry points, gaining unauthorized access to your systems. Once inside, they may extract sensitive company information or exploit your resources to attack others.
Instead, audit your systems to identify unused or unnecessary services and disable them. Consider using a virtual private network (VPN) or a secure remote access solution for essential remote connections. Finally, implement strict firewall rules to ensure no direct access to services like RDP or VNC from the internet and access to other services is as restrictive as possible.
Secure Your Cloud Configurations
Cloud platforms offer tremendous flexibility, but they come with their own set of vulnerabilities. One of the most common mistakes businesses make is allowing public access to files and content that should remain private. Shockingly, thousands of organizations unintentionally expose sensitive data simply due to misconfigurations.
Instead, regularly review your cloud settings to ensure no files or folders are publicly accessible unless explicitly intended. Consider using automated tools to scan for publicly exposed assets and enable logging and monitoring to track unauthorized access attempts.
Leverage Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Using only a username and password is no longer sufficient to protect your business. With phishing attacks on the rise, employee credentials can be compromised easily. Multi-factor authentication adds a critical extra layer of security and can stop over 99% of automated attacks.
Your business should require MFA for all users, particularly for administrative accounts and remote access. Employees should be educated on how to use MFA and why it’s crucial. Beyond that, companies should consider advanced options like biometrics or hardware security keys for higher levels of security.
Train Your Employees
Your employees are often your first line of defense against cyber threats. Without proper training, they could unknowingly become the weakest link in your security chain.
Businesses should not only conduct annual cybersecurity training that includes recognizing phishing emails and safe online practices but also simulate phishing attacks to measure and improve employee awareness. Ultimately it’s imperative that employees know how to recognize and report suspicious activities and where to seek help when needed.
Adopt This Mindset: Every Business is a Target
Many organizations mistakenly believe they won’t be targeted because they’re not large or high-profile. This mindset leads to complacency and increases vulnerability. Attackers don’t discriminate based on size or goodwill—they exploit perceived weaknesses. Organizations don’t choose whether they are targeted – they are targeted whether they have something of value or there is the perception that they do.
Businesses should regularly assess their risk profile and address potential weaknesses. It is highly recommended to develop and test an incident response plan to ensure you can respond effectively to an attack. In addition, stay informed about current threats and trends by subscribing to cybersecurity news and updates.
Cybersecurity may seem complex, but it boils down to consistent implementation of best practices. Disabling unnecessary services, securing cloud configurations, enforcing MFA, training employees, and adopting a proactive security mindset are crucial steps to safeguarding your business. In 2025, prioritize these basics to significantly reduce your exposure to threats and maintain trust with your clients and partners.
About the Author
Gary Perkins is the Chief Information Security Officer at CISO Global. With 20+ years of industry leadership, Gary’s experience spans both the public and private sectors. Most recently, he served as the Chief Information Security Officer for all of British Columbia. Previously, he served as Chief of Staff for the Chief Security Office at Canadian multinational publicly traded holding company and conglomerate, Telus.
As CISO, Gary drives cybersecurity strategies and risk management initiatives. He holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in the Management of Technology and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, as well as a Diploma in Criminology from Kwantlen Polytechnic University. Additionally, Gary has earned more than 22 industry-related certifications and awards and serves on numerous boards and councils.
The post Back to the Basics For 2025: Securing Your Business appeared first on CISO Global.
*** This is a Security Bloggers Network syndicated blog from CISO Global authored by hmeyers. Read the original post at: https://www.ciso.inc/blog-posts/back-to-the-basics-for-2025-securing-your-business/
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