Cyber Hygiene in Everyday Operations – What Every Company Must Start With

In this article we will cover basic protective measures that are often overlooked but make the biggest difference

When cybersecurity is discussed, the focus is often on advanced threats, AI-driven attacks, and zero-day vulnerabilities. But in reality, it’s rarely the most sophisticated attacks that bring down companies — it’s the most basic shortcomings. Poor password management, missing updates, or weak backup routines can quickly become the very things that halt operations.

Cyber hygiene is all about this — keeping things clean, updated, and secure in your daily work. It’s not flashy, but it’s essential. Here are the fundamentals every company should have in place — regardless of size or industry.

1. Strong and Unique Passwords – with Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

The biggest security risk in most organizations? Passwords. Reused, weak, or easily guessed passwords are an open door for attackers.
How to do it right:

Use a password manager to generate and store strong passwords. Whether or not you adopt one, ensure passwords are strong (at least 14–16 characters).
Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) everywhere possible — especially for email, business systems, and cloud services. Require MFA for critical services and data, but for less important services, it may be enough for MFA to prompt users occasionally.
Combine Single Sign-On (SSO) with MFA to balance usability and security.

2. Updates – A Simple but Often Missed Action

Many attacks exploit known vulnerabilities in systems that were never updated. It’s like having a broken lock and pretending it’s secure.
How to do it right:

Enable automatic updates wherever possible — for both operating systems and apps. If you can’t enable automatic updates, document the risk for that system or application.
Have a routine in place to quickly update critical systems and applications when new vulnerabilities are disclosed.
Don’t forget firmware and network equipment — they are often overlooked. At minimum, schedule an annual checklist review (boring but necessary).

3. Regular and Tested Backups

It’s not enough to have backups. You need to know they work — and that you can restore quickly in case of, for example, a ransomware attack.
How to do it right:

Back up important files daily — automatically.
Store at least one copy offline or in another secure environment.
Regularly test your ability to restore — it’s the only way to be sure.
Ensure process owners are involved in discussions about the limitations and capabilities of your backups — maintain active dialogue between them and the backup administrator.

4. Basic Access Control

Not every employee needs access to everything. The more people with “admin” rights, the greater the risk in the event of a breach or mistake.
How to do it right:

Assign only the access required for the task.
Have clear routines for removing accounts when employees leave.
Regularly review permissions — especially in cloud services.

5. Training – The Most Effective Security Investment

People are often the weakest link — but they can also be your strongest defense. All it takes is some knowledge and ongoing reminders.
How to do it right:

Train all employees on cybersecurity basics: phishing, passwords, suspicious links.
Make it practical and relevant — use real examples from your daily operations.
Ensure that line managers are responsible for their team’s attendance and engagement — it’s the business that must own its employees’ time and priorities.

Cyber Hygiene = Digital Resilience

Cyber hygiene is like handwashing — you might not notice the difference right away, but with good hygiene, most things can be prevented. By getting these basic measures under control, you build a solid foundation that makes it harder for attackers and easier to act quickly if something does happen.

And remember — it’s perfectly fine if everything isn’t perfect from the start. What matters is knowing where you stand. Documenting deviations, gaps, and risks is not a weakness — it’s a strength. It shows awareness, control, and progress.

Want help structuring your cyber hygiene work and getting a clear picture of where your organization stands?
Book a demo with us today — and see how easy it can be to manage and document your digital resilience.