You’ve probably been inundated with expert tips on how to be healthier in the new year. Be it fitness tips, nutrition guidance or videos on how to breathe, there’s heaps of helpful advice on how to become a ‘new you’ at the start of the year.

That’s all well and good (literally). And don’t worry, we’re not about to start advising you to drink more water and eat less cake. For us, the priority is keeping businesses and their systems healthy. If you change one thing this new year, we recommend it’s adopting good habits to strengthen your business and its resilience.

Make time to do things differently

Running a small to medium sized business means spinning multiple plates. You never complete your to-do list. You’re pulled in many directions every day. It’s not easy to stop, question things and look at aspects to do differently.

But we think it’s important to invest time in optimising your IT security. Protect yourself from cyberattacks, system outages and threats to your business environment. Some of our suggestions are pretty quick and simple. Others are slightly more involved. All of them will reduce your risks and strengthen your business. That’s got to be a goal for 2025.

Which new habits should you adopt?

We don’t want to add more items to your to-do list, but we do want to protect and improve your business environment. These are our non-negotiable, essential activities that need to be prioritised to make your business more resilient and protected from potentially disastrous incidents.

Update your software

It’s all too easy to ignore those reminders to update your software. But software gets updated for a reason and that’s generally to make it better and more effective. When it comes to security, you need your tech to be as up-to-date and effective as possible.

SMBs can be known to rely on older versions of tech products to save money. We get that. But it’ll be a false economy if it leaves you open to attack. Make sure your systems and software use the most recent version possible. It’s safer, more secure and offers more protection.

Back up your data

Your data is an incredibly valuable asset. Don’t assume that storing it in the cloud is 100% secure. In fact, it’s actually your responsibility to manage data backup in Microsoft 365. It’s important to make that part of your regular maintenance schedule.

A data backup will improve your environment’s security and compliance. Data breaches can cost your business dearly – both financially and reputationally. Conducting a Microsoft 365 backup regularly will make you less vulnerable to a breach. Book it into your diary now!

Strengthen your passwords

You may be surprised by the high proportion of people who use passwords that are easy to guess. Often, it’s memorable information about their life that can be attained simply from an open-source search. Make sure nobody is using ‘password’ or their pet’s name for example. It’s nowhere near secure enough.

Teach your teams how to create a secure password, and how to store it safely. Provide best practice guidelines and an easy-to-follow training session. It will reduce your vulnerability to attack.

Empower your teams

A staggering 95% of cybersecurity incidents are due to human error. Cyber criminals are crafty and they’re constantly inventing new ways to entice people to do what they want. Phishing emails are the starting point for the majority of successful cyberattacks. And they’re getting ever more sophisticated, especially with the help of AI.

Keep your teams informed on the potential risks. Empower them with best practice guidelines and practical safety tips to follow. Regular learning sessions can make a tangible impact. Take a look at the engaging, short videos by KnowBe4. We find them really effective and easy to digest, no matter how technical you are.

Dial up your cyber security

We strongly advise investing in the most robust security solution possible. 82% of SMBs’ antivirus solutions fail to stop malware from penetrating their systems (according to Keeper Security and Ponemon Institute). Choose a security system that will protect your business 24/7. One that not only detects potential attacks but does something about them too. Managed Endpoint Detection and Response services will pick up on suspicious behaviours and will react to them quickly.

Start these 5 healthy habits today!

Make time to reduce your business vulnerabilities and step up your data protection. It can save severe disruption and financial impact further down the line.

We’re here to support you with these positive steps that will make a big impact to your business. Whether you want advice, IT support or cyber security services, we have the knowledge and expertise you need. Contact our approachable team and start 2025 in a secure and positive way.