Protecting your business from cyber threats requires a structured approach that addresses both people and technology. This cyber security checklist for businesses highlights five essential areas that businesses should prioritise in 2026 to strengthen IT systems, safeguard sensitive data, and reduce the risk of costly cyber incidents.
Cyber security is more than just installing software; it is a combination of processes, technologies, and employee awareness that together create a robust defence against cyber threats. For small and medium-sized businesses, the consequences of neglecting cyber security can be severe, ranging from lost revenue and downtime to legal liabilities and damaged client relationships.
With nearly 40% of UK businesses reporting cyber-attacks in 2022, establishing a clear and practical cyber security plan is essential. A comprehensive approach not only defends your business against known threats but also ensures resilience against evolving risks, safeguarding client trust and regulatory compliance.
Five Key Elements of Your Cyber Security Checklist
1. Cyber Security Awareness Training
Employees are often the first line of defence against cyber threats, making training a critical part of any security strategy. Online, interactive cyber security awareness training equips staff to identify phishing emails, ransomware attacks, and other common threats.
Cyber security awareness training uses short, animated videos and interactive quizzes to make learning practical and engaging. By ensuring employees know how to spot and respond to threats, businesses can protect sensitive information and maintain trust with clients and partners.
Find out more about cyber security awareness training here.
2. Cyber Essentials Certification
Cyber Essentials provides a recognised standard for basic cyber security and demonstrates your commitment to protecting business systems and client data. Carrera UK works with trusted partners to assess IT systems against the Cyber Essentials criteria, adjusting configurations where necessary to meet accreditation requirements.
Certification not only strengthens your defences against common cyber-attacks but also signals to clients and supply chain partners that your business prioritises security, helping you meet industry expectations and contractual obligations.
Find out more about the Cyber Essentials Certification and how our team can help here.
3. Advanced Email Security
Email continues to be one of the main channels for cyber-attacks. Advanced email protection act as a protective barrier, scanning inbound and outbound emails in real time.
Attachments, links, and message content are analysed using AI and dynamic threat intelligence to identify and block phishing attempts and malware. These measures help prevent malicious emails from reaching employee inboxes while also protecting customers in the event of a compromised account, ensuring communication channels remain secure.
Find out more about advanced email security here.
4. Antivirus and Anti-Malware Protection
Antivirus and endpoint protection play a vital role in safeguarding business devices against viruses and malware. Robust antivirus helps prevent malicious software from gaining access to systems, reducing the risk of data loss, downtime, and wider network compromise.
By protecting every device connected to the business network, antivirus and endpoint protection help maintain stability, support secure day-to-day operations, and ensure consistent protection across the organisation.
Find out more about antivirus protection here.
5. Secure Backups
Reliable backups protect critical business data from accidental deletion, hardware failure, and ransomware attacks. A well-planned backup strategy ensures that essential information is securely stored and can be recovered when needed, reducing disruption to day-to-day operations.
By maintaining consistent, tested backups, businesses can restore data quickly, minimise downtime, and maintain continuity following unexpected incidents.
Carrera provide managed IT and cyber security services tailored to SMEs. Our team works closely with businesses to identify vulnerabilities, implement bespoke solutions, and provide ongoing monitoring and support, helping to ensure your IT infrastructure remains secure and your business can operate efficiently and confidently throughout 2026 and beyond.
Share This Post:
About Carrera UK
Carrera UK provide IT support, IT services, and telecoms to small businesses in Portsmouth & Southampton in Hampshire, and across the South of England.
We offer a complete suite of IT and telecoms service solutions for small and medium-sized businesses, including IT support, cyber security, email and Microsoft 365 services, VoIP business phones, and lease IT equipment.
We know how important IT is to your business and we will work hard as your trusted IT and telecom service provider to find the best solutions for you. Our IT support and solutions give you the assurance that your business technology will be robust, reliable, and cost-effective.
