In today’s digital economy, small businesses are not just competing with the big players—they're also facing the same level of cyber risk. And unfortunately, they’re often far less prepared. Cybercriminals increasingly see small businesses as ideal targets: enough data to be valuable, but rarely the security to defend it.

At Scardina Consulting, we specialize in helping small and mid-sized businesses build world-class cybersecurity programs—without the enterprise budget. In this article, we break down the tools, solutions, and strategies that will help protect your business from today’s top cyber threats.

Why Cybersecurity Matters (More Than Ever) for Small Businesses

Small businesses often operate under the false assumption that “we’re too small to be targeted.” The truth? Over 40% of cyberattacks now target small businesses.

The risks are real and growing:

• Ransomware that locks your systems and demands payment
• Phishing emails that trick employees into handing over credentials
• Stolen customer or payment data that leads to compliance violations
• Unsecured applications exposing sensitive information via code flaws

Even a single breach can cost tens of thousands—or worse, permanently damage trust.

The Often Overlooked Risk: Application Security

If your business runs a website, mobile app, or any software tied to customer data, application security must be a priority.

Small businesses often use custom-built or third-party apps without security testing. That means:

• Unpatched vulnerabilities could let attackers in
• Insecure APIs might expose user or payment data
• Poor coding practices may open the door to SQL injection, XSS, and other attacks

At Scardina Consulting, we regularly perform application risk assessments for small businesses—often uncovering critical flaws before attackers do.

Low-hanging application security improvements include:

• Static and dynamic code scanning
• Implementing secure coding standards
• Using Content Security Policy (CSP) and HTTP security headers
• Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and rate limiting
• Monitoring scripts and libraries for tampering or outdated components

Essential Cybersecurity Tools for Small Business

1. Endpoint Protection & Firewalls

Defend against malware, ransomware, and unauthorized access.

Tools: Bitdefender GravityZone, Sophos, Norton Small Business

2. Password Management & MFA

Enforce strong password hygiene and protect accounts.

Tools: 1Password, LastPass Teams, Duo Security

3. Email Security & Anti-Phishing

Prevent scams, spoofing, and malware from reaching inboxes.

Tools: Proofpoint Essentials, Mimecast, Barracuda

4. Backup & Disaster Recovery

Ensure business continuity in case of an attack or failure.

Tools: Acronis, Backblaze, Datto

5. Vulnerability Scanning & App Security Tools

Find and fix known software weaknesses.

Tools: Tenable Nessus, Qualys, OWASP ZAP, Burp Suite

6. Security Awareness Training

Empower your people to become your first line of defense.

Tools: KnowBe4, Hook Security, Curricula

What If You Don’t Have a Security Team?

That’s where consulting and managed services come in. At Scardina Consulting, we offer:

• ✅ Virtual CISO (vCISO) services
• ✅ Security program startup and scaling
• ✅ Application & product security assessments
• ✅ Risk-based vulnerability management
• ✅ Incident response planning
• ✅ Staff augmentation and training

We act as your trusted partner—helping you build a program that fits your business, goals, and budget.

Simple Steps to Get Started

1. Perform a Basic Risk Review: What systems do you rely on? What data do you store?
2. Enforce MFA Everywhere: One of the easiest and most effective upgrades.
3. Train Your Team: They don’t need to be experts, just aware.
4. Patch Software Regularly: Enable automatic updates where possible.
5. Get Expert Help Early: Talk to someone who’s built real security programs.

Final Thoughts

Cybersecurity doesn’t have to be overwhelming—or expensive. With the right guidance, even small businesses can build strong, scalable protections against today’s most common threats.

If you're looking for an experienced, no-BS partner who understands your world and speaks your language, Scardina Consulting is here to help. Let’s make your business more secure—without the enterprise headache.