The stories we tell ourselves are comfy—and costly. Here are five myths I still hear in partner meetings, and what the data (and attackers) say instead.
Myth 1: “We’re too small to be a target.”
Reality: Attackers automate. If you have email and billable work, you’re on the list. Ransomware, credential stuffing, and invoice fraud don’t check firm size.
MythsVSreality
Myth 2: “What worked last year still works.”
Reality: Threats change weekly. Patch windows, zero‑days, and MFA fatigue attacks mean yesterday’s playbook leaves gaps today.
Myth 3: “Once secure, always secure.”
Reality: Every new hire, new laptop, app, and vendor expands your attack surface. Security is a moving target—continuous monitoring wins.
Myth 4: “Security slows the business.”
Reality: Done right, security reduces friction: single sign‑on, device compliance, automated patching, safer-by-default PCs. Less downtime. Fewer ‘IT tickets.’
Myth 5: “A strong password is enough.”
Reality: It’s table stakes. Layer with MFA, unique passwords via a manager, device encryption, EDR, DNS/web filtering, and least‑privilege access.
Your short, sharp checklist
- Phish‑resistant MFA on Microsoft 365 + accounting apps.
- EDR on every endpoint (laptops and home PCs used for remote work).
- Patch OS, browsers, and plugins weekly; auto‑update where possible.
- Backups: immutable, off‑platform, tested restores (quarterly).
- Vendor risk: bank‑grade DNS filtering; restrict risky app installs and browser extensions.
- People: monthly 10‑minute micro‑training + quarterly phishing drill.
- AI hygiene: policy + training to prevent data leaks and prompt‑injection surprises in chatbots.
Bottom line: Security isn’t a cost centre—it’s how you keep billables flowing and client trust intact.
Navigating This Transition
The best step is to work with your IT provider to determine what option makes sense for your organization. An experienced IT team or a tech consultant can help make sure everything runs smoothly and minimize any downtime for your business.
If you’re looking for someone to guide you through this transition period, get in touch with our team to schedule a FREE 10-Minute Discovery Call. During this quick conversation, we’ll be able to map out the next steps to take to start upgrading to Windows 11 efficiently. To schedule, c
all us at 855-737-8277 or click here.
