More than half of UK businesses have suffered cyberattacks in the last five years, resulting in an estimated £44 billion in costs. Yet only 61% use antivirus software, and just 55% have firewalls.
For small businesses, remote work has made endpoint devices—like laptops and phones—prime targets for cybercriminals. Without strong protection, your business is at serious risk. That’s why robust endpoint security is essential. Expert IT services provide managed protection, training, and monitoring, efficiently securing your business. Here are 13 practical, no-fluff endpoint security best practices tailored for small businesses that want real protection without the tech jargon.
13 Endpoint Security Best Practices Tailored for Small Businesses
1. Start With an Endpoint Audit
Think of this as your cybersecurity roll call. You need to know exactly who or what is connected to your network. This includes every laptop, smartphone device, IoT device, and remote workstation. By establishing a comprehensive list of the devices and their access levels, you can identify outdated systems, faulty devices, or security gaps. This audit becomes your foundation for stronger control and quicker action.
2. Train Your Team
Human error causes a surprising number of breaches. And no, “Don’t click that sketchy link” isn’t enough anymore. Run regular training sessions that include phishing simulations, password hygiene, and what not to download from the internet. Encourage employees to become your first line of cyber defense, not your biggest risk.
3. Put a BYOD Policy in Place
Remote work means people often use their own devices. It’s convenient, but also dangerous. If you’re letting staff access business data from personal devices, it’s time to get serious about a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy. Require antivirus software, enforce encryption, and be ready to remote-wipe company data if a phone goes missing or someone moves on.
4. Tighten Up Password Policies
Passwords like “password123” won’t do the job. Establish the rule that passwords should have a minimum length of 12 characters and a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters. Passwords should be changed every 60–90 days. Want to keep your team sane? Offer a password manager like Dashlane to generate and store unique logins securely.
5. Back It Up and Lock It Down
If you’ve never lost any data, consider yourself fortunate, and back it up right away. Automate daily or weekly backups and stash them off-site or with a trusted, encrypted cloud service. Test your recovery process regularly so you’re not scrambling when disaster strikes.
6. Embrace Zero Trust
Zero Trust in cybersecurity means trust no one and verify everyone and everything. This includes every device, login attempt, and access request. Divide your network into compartments so that if any threat does manage to intrude, it won’t spread like wildfire. Constant monitoring and an identity-first approach help keep everything locked down.
7. Use Penetration Testing to Test Your Defenses
Never let a hacker discover your vulnerabilities before you do—get ahead of them. Employ cybersecurity specialists to mimic attacks and determine areas where your defenses are weaker. Run these tests annually or after major IT updates to stay ahead of new threats.
8. Automate Those Patches
Outdated software is like an open door to hackers. Set up automated patching systems so your devices stay up to date without relying on memory or manual effort. Be sure to test patches on a few machines before rolling them out to everyone.
9. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Passwords can be compromised, but MFA adds an additional layer of security, such as a temporary code sent to your phone or fingerprint recognition. For accounts with sensitive data, this should be non-negotiable. And ditch SMS-based codes in favor of more secure app-based options.
10. Control Apps with Whitelisting & Blacklisting
Only allow apps that you trust—block everything else. Whitelisting ensures the use of approved applications only on your computers, while blacklisting prevents the execution of established threats. Ensure the lists are up to date as new threats and tools appear.
11. Create an Incident Response Plan
When the worst happens, you need a game plan, not a panic attack. Outline who does what, when, and how in the event of a breach. Use drills when training your team so that they know how to work under pressure. This gives you a solid Incident Response Plan (IRP), allowing you to recover faster, suffer less downtime, and have fewer issues overall.
12. Use Endpoint Security Software That Works
Yes, antivirus is great. But modern threats require more. Research Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) software with real-time notification and behavioral monitoring capabilities. Cloud-based solutions are excellent value and offer flexibility to small teams who require good protection without having a permanent team of IT staff.
13. Secure Remote Access with a VPN Policy
VPNs create secure tunnels for data transmission—but only if they’re managed right. Only allow authorized users and devices to connect. Use VPNs with strong encryption protocols like Le VPN, which use AES-256 to regularly review access logs and revoke access when it’s no longer needed.
Why Endpoint Security Can’t Be Ignored
In 2025, 43 percent of companies noted being victims of cybercrime, and the vast majority of those cases were phishing. The cost of the typical case of cybercrime averaged £990 per business but escalated to £5,900 when fraud was also a factor. These statistics highlight the importance of strong endpoint security across small business operations. This is why endpoint protection is a must. Using a layering strategy that incorporates access controls, staff training, active monitoring, and fast response can safeguard all you’ve created. Don’t know where to begin? Reach out to Managed IT Asia, Singapore’s trusted IT security partner — for expert solutions that safeguard your small business and ensure your operations remain secure and resilient. Stay safe. Stay sharp. Secure your endpoints with Managed IT Asia.
MANAGED IT ASIA, we are an IT Support, IT Solutioning and Managed IT Service Provider specializing in serving Small Businesses across Asia. Call us at +65 6748 8776 and let us manage your Small Business IT today!