5 Cybersecurity Mistakes DFW Small Businesses Make (And How to Fix Them)

If you're running a small or mid-sized business in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, cybersecurity probably isn't the first thing on your mind every morning. You're focused on growth, customers, and keeping the lights on. But here's the reality: 43% of cyberattacks target small businesses, and most of them succeed because of avoidable mistakes.

We've worked with dozens of DFW businesses, and we see the same patterns over and over. Here are the five most common cybersecurity mistakes — and what you can do about them today.

1. Using Weak or Reused Passwords

It sounds basic, but weak passwords remain the #1 way attackers get into business systems. We regularly find employees using passwords like Company123! or reusing the same password across their email, banking, and cloud tools.

The fix:

• Implement a password manager (like Bitwarden or 1Password) company-wide
• Require passwords of at least 14 characters with complexity
• Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on every account that supports it — especially email and financial tools

2. Skipping Employee Security Training

Your employees are your first line of defense — and your biggest vulnerability. Phishing emails have gotten incredibly convincing, and without training, even savvy people click the wrong link.

The fix:

• Run quarterly security awareness training (even 30 minutes makes a difference)
• Conduct simulated phishing tests to measure improvement
• Create a simple process for employees to report suspicious emails

3. No Backup and Disaster Recovery Plan

We've seen businesses in North Texas lose everything to ransomware because they had no backups — or their backups were connected to the same network that got encrypted. If a ransomware attack hits you today, could you recover without paying?

The fix:

• Follow the 3-2-1 backup rule: 3 copies of your data, on 2 different media, with 1 offsite (cloud)
• Test your backups regularly — an untested backup is not a backup
• Have a documented disaster recovery plan with clear roles and responsibilities

4. Ignoring Software Updates

That "Update Later" button is costing you. Unpatched software is one of the easiest ways attackers exploit small businesses. The 2017 WannaCry attack that crippled organizations worldwide? It exploited a vulnerability that Microsoft had patched two months earlier.

The fix:

• Enable automatic updates on all workstations and servers
• Use a patch management tool to track what's current and what's behind
• Schedule a monthly "patch Tuesday" review if automatic updates aren't feasible

5. Not Having a Managed IT Partner

Most small businesses don't have (and can't afford) a full-time cybersecurity team. But that doesn't mean you should go unprotected. A managed IT provider gives you enterprise-grade security at a fraction of the cost of hiring in-house.

The fix:

• Partner with a managed IT provider who understands your industry and local environment
• Ensure they provide 24/7 monitoring, not just break-fix support
• Look for providers in the DFW area who can respond on-site when needed

"The question isn't whether your business will face a cyber threat — it's whether you'll be prepared when it happens."

Take the First Step Today

You don't need to fix everything overnight. Start with the basics: turn on MFA, update your software, and make sure you have tested backups. If you want professional guidance tailored to your business, we're here to help.

IronLink IT offers free IT assessments for DFW businesses. We'll review your current setup, identify vulnerabilities, and give you a clear action plan — no strings attached.