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In today’s digital-first world, cyber security is no longer just an IT issue—it’s a business imperative. Whether you’re a sole trader, a growing enterprise, or a well-established company, protecting your digital assets is as crucial as safeguarding your physical ones.

At Ontrack, we believe in empowering businesses with practical tools and knowledge.  And this topic is very close to our hearts given a ransomware attack in 2022 on a piece of equipment we used in our office at the time.  To be clear, no data was breached during this attack, but it was locked down and could not be accessed.  Holy moly, doesn’t this only happen in the movies!

The shock, the stomach clenching disbelief that this happened to us!  It was an soul destroying, and an extremely stressful and upsetting time that took 9 months and cost the insurance company $45k to sort out.

That’s why we’ve created a Cyber Security Checklist—a simple, actionable guide to help you stay one step ahead of online threats.

So, why does cyber security matter so much?

1. Your Data Is Valuable—To You and to Hackers
Client records, financial data, login credentials—these are the lifeblood of your business. A breach could mean more than just downtime; it could damage your reputation and erode client trust.

2. Small Businesses Are Prime Targets
It’s a common myth that cyber criminals only go after big corporations. In reality, small businesses often have fewer protections in place, making them easier targets.

3. Prevention Is Cheaper Than Recovery
Investing in cyber security now—like using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and keeping software up to date—can save you thousands in potential losses later.

4. Compliance and Peace of Mind
With increasing regulations around data protection, being cyber smart helps you stay compliant and gives your clients confidence that their information is safe with you.

Our checklist covers key areas such as:

• Password hygiene
• Device and software security
• Email and phishing awareness
• Backups and recovery plans
• Staff training and policies

It’s designed to be easy to follow, even if you’re not tech-savvy. Because at Ontrack, we know that good business practices start with clarity and confidence.

If you’d like our checklist, you can get it here.  While you are at it, hit the subscribe button on the top left to receive our newsletters.

If you want help implementing these steps or reviewing your current set up, let’s chat.

Other resources can be found at National Cyber Security Centre and as CertNZ.