Cyber Security Awareness Month: Why It Matters for Your Business
October is Cyber Security Awareness Month in Canada, a quick reminder that cybersecurity is not optional; from big companies to small businesses, including coaches, consultants and eCommerce entrepreneurs.
If your idea of cybersecurity stops at firewalls and antivirus software, your business could still be at serious risk. While these are foundational security measures, they only address a fraction of the modern threat landscape developed everyday by hackers.
In this article, we discuss why cybersecurity is a must for your business, what measures to implement to be secured, and how we can help you manage your options without stress.
Why Cybersecurity Matters for SMBs
Client Trust
A single breach can damage your reputation and cause clients to question your reliability. While the major, head-line grabbing breaches at large corporations like Equifax and Yahoo are well-known, similar incidents can be even more devastating for a small business. A prime example of this is the case of Naz Financial (May 2021), a six-person Canadian financial services company. Naz Financial was targeted by a ransomware group that stole internal company documents and customer data; and published them on the dark web. The incident led to a severe loss of reputation, and also to the loss of customers whose data was compromised.
Financial Safety
Cybercrime costs Canadian businesses billions each year, even small incidents can be expensive to fix, especially for SMBs which have limited resources.
Business Insurance
Many insurers now require proof of security measures (like MFA or regular audits) before offering coverage. A significant, public and recent example of a company losing coverage due to not implementing MFA is the City of Hamilton, Ontario (February 2024). The incident estimated cost is $18.3 million in recovery and cleanup.
Simple Steps to Protect Your Business
Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Add an extra layer of protection to your accounts. Even if someone guesses your password, they won’t get in.
Adopt a Password Manager: Tools like 1Password, LastPass, or Bitwarden make it easy to create and manage strong, unique passwords without sticky notes or spreadsheets.
Regular Backups: Store your files in secure, encrypted locations so you can recover quickly if disaster strikes.
Employee Awareness: Human error is the number one cause of breaches. Train your team to spot phishing emails and suspicious links.
Keep Software Updated: Outdated systems (like Windows 10 after October 14, 2025) are prime targets for attacks.
These steps go a long way, but implementing them consistently and knowing what gaps remain can feel overwhelming. That’s where we come in.
How Techity Can Help
At Techity, we specialize in making cybersecurity simple for small businesses. Our services include:
Cybersecurity Audits: A full review of your current systems, highlighting risks before hackers find them.
Consulting for Business Insurance: We align your IT practices with insurance requirements so you can secure coverage with confidence.
Ongoing Support: From setting up MFA to configuring password managers, we give you step-by-step guidance that fits your workflow.
Ready to Strengthen Your Security?
Don’t wait until a cyberattack disrupts your business. Book a Cybersecurity Audit or Consultation with Techity today, and let’s make sure your systems are secure, your data is protected, and your business is ready for the future.
You can learn more about the program covered by the Government of Canada for this Cyber Security Awareness Month 2025 here. The theme this year is “Get cyber safe – for future you”.