To be honest, starting a business isn’t very easy. You’re working late into the night to develop a product, communicate with users, make an investment pitch, and possibly even create code. There is never enough time to complete all the tasks on the long list.
Therefore, you can shove cybersecurity to the bottom of the list when someone brings it up. You’re still small, after all. Why would somebody want to hack you, right?
However, cybersecurity is not limited to large corporations. In fact, since startups often lack the proper safeguards in place, they are frequently easier targets. Hackers are well aware of this. And they exploit it.
You can’t add a cybersecurity plan after you’ve already made it. It must be part of the foundation. Because integrating security into your organization is easier (and cheaper as well) the earlier you start thinking about it. This is before things become complicated, before you’re handling actual customer data, and before an attack pushes you to deal with the damage.
You’re already being watched in today’s digital world if you have an internet connection. Therefore, a cybersecurity plan is necessary. And you require it from the very beginning.
We’re too small to be targeted,” said every breached startup ever
The thing most early-stage founders don’t realize is that cybercriminals love startups. You’re fast, you’re lean, and you often haven’t had the time (or budget) to lock things down. That makes you an easy win.
Most attacks are not personal. Hackers don’t need to know your name or care about your industry. They run automated scripts looking for weak spots, which can include outdated software, default credentials, unprotected cloud storage, and more. When they find one, they move in. You might not even know you’ve been compromised until your customer data is leaked or your system gets held for ransom.
Suddenly, that “we’ll get to it later” plan comes with a five-figure price tag and a massive loss of trust.
So, what kind of threats are we talking about?
Startups may be overlooked due to their small size, yet they are frequently the direct target of cybersecurity attacks. The majority of attacks target the common mistakes that occur when security isn’t given enough attention, rather than Hollywood-style hacking.
This is how cyber threats could look:
- Phishing Emails: Phishing emails are more than just spam. They are expertly designed emails to confuse a member of your team into disclosing their login information or clicking a link. With a single false click, an attacker can obtain access to your files, cloud dashboard, or email account.
- Unsecured APIs and third-party tools: Startups place a high importance on speed, therefore connecting multiple platforms using APIs is popular. However, if those connections are not secure, hackers may be able to get access and steal sensitive information like billing information, client information, or even internal communications.
- Weak passwords: Passwords such as “admin123” or “companyname2023” are still often used, especially on test environments or staging servers. However, hackers know where to look. They run scripts on thousands of systems to detect default or weak passwords. If your team is one of those, the game is done.
- Shadow IT (a term for unapproved tools): A marketing professional may enroll in a new tool without informing anyone. Your designer probably stores client files in a free app. Even though they are made with the best of intentions, these small choices can result in significant risks if no one is monitoring them.
- No backups or recovery plan: Do you have a backup in case your system fails or is compromised? Are you able to bounce back fast? Many startups don’t consider this until it’s too late, such as when an attack wipes away data or a hard drive fails.
The scary part is that exploiting any of these vulnerabilities doesn’t require sophisticated hacking abilities. These are merely simple mistakes—things that are overlooked when security isn’t a priority. However, those cracks deepen with time. And they end up costing you.
Why care about cybersecurity plan this early?
See, I understand. When you have barely achieved product-market fit, cybersecurity appears to be a secondary concern. However, founders who have experienced it will tell you this:
- Your greatest asset is your reputation. If you lose a customer’s trust once, it will take months to regain it.
- To close deals, you’ll need it. That huge customer you’re after? They will want to know how you secure their information.
- It’s far more difficult to fix later. Adding security after you’ve expanded is similar to remodeling a home that already has occupants.
- Compliance takes time. Do you want ISO 27001 or SOC 2? Get started early. It’s about how your business operates, not simply the paperwork.
How should a young startup make a cybersecurity plan?
You need a cybersecurity plan, but you don’t need a CISO right away. To start your security game, follow these simple steps:
- Start with the basics. Activate multi-factor authentication. Utilize a password manager and create strong, unique passwords. Ensure that everyone is aware that suspicious links should not be clicked.
- Restrict access to certain items. Access to everything is not necessary for everyone. Specify permissions and roles.
- Keep things updated. Hackers can easily target outdated plugins and libraries. Although patching your systems is a nuisance, schedule regular time for it.
- Select safe tools. Make use of systems that prioritize security. AWS, GitHub, and Google Workspace have done a lot of the labour-intensive work for you. Utilize that.
- Put it in writing. Provide a description of your security procedures, even if it’s only a Google Doc. This facilitates onboarding, prevents misunderstandings, and aids with subsequent compliance efforts. Don’t allow former workers or contractors to continue using your systems.
- Think like a grown-up company. Even if you’re just five people, act like you’ve got 500. Having policies and structure isn’t about red tape—it’s about protecting what you’re building.
Don’t wait for a wake-up call
It’s best to learn some lessons the easy way. Nobody wants a data breach to be the subject of their first significant press event. And believe me, it is not a pleasant experience to inform your investors that you have lost client data.
Starting a business is already challenging. Although it seems like one more task, adding a cybersecurity plan to the mix has several benefits. It conveys to your partners, clients, and staff that you take your business and not just your product seriously.