Ignoring Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Across Platforms

The Mistake: Relying on passwords alone is a recipe for disaster. Verizon’s 2024 Data Breach Report found that 60% of breaches involve stolen credentials. Whether you’re using Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, AWS, Cloud services or on-premises systems, skipping MFA leaves your accounts exposed. In 2024, Microsoft alone blocked over 7 billion identity attacks—imagine how many got through elsewhere.  Would you bank with someone who didn’t require you to have MFA?

How to Avoid It: Enable MFA everywhere. Most cloud platforms today have it readily available and can be set up with multiple MFA methods (apps, text, key fobs, etc.).  If your service does not provide it, you can pay for the service to be added on a per user basis, like a DUO.   MFA stops 99.9% of account attacks, per Microsoft. Make it mandatory for all users, no exceptions.  If you wouldn’t want your finances behind MFA, then don’t let your data be at risk.

Underestimating Employee Cybersecurity Training

The Mistake: Your team is your weakest link—90% of breaches start with human error, according to IBM’s 2024 report. Employees click phishing links, share sensitive data on unsecured platforms (like personal Dropbox), or use weak passwords like “123456” (still a top choice in 2024, per SplashData). This applies to all IT environments, cloud, on-premises, or hybrid.

How to Avoid It: Train your team regularly to spot threats. Teach them to verify email senders before clicking links, avoid public Wi-Fi for work tasks, and never reuse passwords. Use third-party tools like for phishing simulations across platforms. For example, run a fake phishing test and reward employees who report it. Schedule quarterly training sessions— awareness is key. You can turn your weakest link into your greatest protection, when trained properly.  You can’t prevent a user from doing something that they don’t know about or understand.

Failing to Back Up Data Across All Systems

The Mistake: Ransomware attacks surged 200% in 2024, per Sophos, locking businesses out of critical systems—whether cloud-based like Microsoft 365 or on-premises servers. Without backups, you’re at the mercy of attackers. Many businesses assume cloud providers like Microsoft back up their data, but they don’t—Microsoft 365 only offers limited retention, not full backups.  So, don’t be fooled that your data can’t be compromised, no matter what other safeguards you have in place.

How to Avoid It: Follow the 3-2-1 backup rule: three copies of your data, on two different media, with one offsite. Use third-party tools to back up your cloud solutions (like Microsoft 365 email, teams, OneDrive, and SharePoint), as well as a backup on and off-site for on-premises systems.  Don’t forget the important step!  Test restores monthly so you know they work, and so you test and improve the recovery process.  It is not a matter of if, but when something happens, so be prepared with backups!

Overlooking Network Security Monitoring

The Mistake: Many businesses don’t monitor their networks for unusual activity, leaving them blind to threats. In 2024, Cisco reported that 41% of organizations experienced a network breach due to unmonitored traffic. This applies to all IT setups—whether you’re running a local network, a hybrid cloud, or fully cloud-based system.  You can’t catch what you don’t see or look for.  Without network monitoring, you leave your entire network, and everything connected to it is at risk when a breach does occur.

How to Avoid It: Deploy network security monitoring tools to catch anomalies, like unauthorized access or data exfiltration. There are many solutions that can monitor and even stop malicious traffic. You can even set alerts for unusual outbound traffic that might indicate a data leak. Most firewalls offer intrusion detection services for on-premises networks.  Cloud providers may include such services or offer an add on service.  Monitoring ensures you spot threats early, no matter your infrastructure.  It will also help mitigate the impact of a breach, so they do not laterally infiltrate your network.

Not Patching Systems Regularly

The Mistake: Unpatched systems are a hacker’s dream—46% of cyberattacks exploit known vulnerabilities, per Ponemon’s 2024 report. This applies to all IT components: operating systems (Windows, Linux), applications (Adobe, Java), and network devices (routers, firewalls). Many businesses delay updates, thinking they’re too busy, but a single unpatched server can lead to a breach.

How to Avoid It: Set a patching schedule for all systems. For Windows and Microsoft 365 apps, use Windows Update or Intune (Intune needs Microsoft 365 E3 or Business Premium). For Linux servers, automate updates with tools like yum-cron (CentOS) or unattended-upgrades (Ubuntu)both free. For network devices, check vendor portals (e.g., Cisco, Ubiquiti) monthly for firmware updates. Use a vulnerability scanner like Nessus (free for small scans) to identify unpatched systems. Patch critical vulnerabilities within 48 hours to stay secure.

Protect Your Business Today

These mistakes—skipping MFA, neglecting training, ignoring backups, overlooking network monitoring, and delaying patches—can cripple your business. But with steps like enabling MFA, training your team, backing up data, monitoring networks, and patching systems, you can stay ahead of threats across all IT environments. Don’t let a preventable mistake cost you millions—act now to secure your operations.

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