What Cybersecurity Protections Should a 10–25 Person Business Have?

February 6, 2026 /
Businessman and fingerprint scanning unlock and access to business data network. Cloud. Biometric identification and cyber security protect business transaction from online digital cyber attack.

The 6 Core Cybersecurity Protections Every Small Business Needs

For a small business, cybersecurity should be layered and proactive — not pieced together.

1. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

MFA should be enabled on:

  • Email (Microsoft 365, Google Workspace)
  • Remote access
  • Critical cloud applications

MFA alone can stop over 90% of credential-based attacks, which are the most common way small businesses get breached.

2. Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR)

Every computer and server should have advanced endpoint protection that:

  • Detects suspicious behavior (not just known viruses)
  • Is actively monitored
  • Can isolate infected devices automatically

Traditional antivirus is no longer enough for modern ransomware and phishing-based attacks.

3. Email Security & Phishing Protection

Email is the #1 attack vector for small businesses.

Proper email security includes:

  • Spam and phishing filtering
  • Malicious link and attachment scanning
  • User-level protection against impersonation attacks

Without this layer, it only takes one employee click to compromise the entire business.

4. Managed Backup & Disaster Recovery

Backups are not optional — even with cloud services.

A proper backup strategy includes:

  • Automated daily backups
  • Offsite and immutable storage
  • Regular testing to confirm recovery works

Backups are often the last line of defense against ransomware.

5. Automated Patch Management

Unpatched systems are one of the easiest targets for attackers.

Patch management ensures:

  • Operating systems are up to date
  • Security vulnerabilities are closed quickly
  • Updates don’t rely on employees clicking “remind me later”

Most breaches exploit known, fixable vulnerabilities.

6. 24/7 Monitoring & Threat Response

Tools alone don’t stop attacks — response does.

Monitoring should include:

  • Real-time alerting
  • Human review of security events
  • Immediate action when threats are detected

Without monitoring, breaches often go unnoticed for weeks or months.

Why Antivirus Alone Is No Longer Enough

Older antivirus tools rely on known signatures. Modern attacks use:

  • Zero-day exploits
  • Credential theft
  • Living-off-the-land techniques

Small businesses are targeted specifically because attackers assume defenses are weak — and often unmanaged.

How Cybersecurity Needs Change at 10–25 Employees

As a business grows:

  • More users mean more credentials to protect
  • Cloud tools increase the attack surface
  • Shared access and remote work become common

At this size, cybersecurity must shift from “basic protection” to managed security.

What Cybersecurity Should Cost for a Small Business

For most SMBs, cybersecurity typically costs $25–$50 per user per month when managed properly — and is often included within a $100–$150 per user managed IT plan.

Security sold as add-ons often leads to gaps, overlap, or tools no one is watching.

How Managed IT Reduces Cyber Risk More Than DIY Tools

The difference isn’t the software — it’s the oversight.

Managed IT provides:

  • Centralized security management
  • Ongoing adjustments as threats change
  • Accountability when something goes wrong

DIY tools without management often create a false sense of security.

Real Example: Stopping a Ransomware Attempt at a 12-Person Business

A 12-employee business received a phishing email that captured a user’s login credentials. Because MFA was enabled, the attacker couldn’t access the account. Endpoint monitoring flagged unusual behavior, and the account was secured before any data was compromised.

Result: No downtime, no data loss, and no ransom demand.

Why Small Businesses Trust Marathon Tech

Marathon Tech helps protect small businesses in and around Faribault, MN by:

  • Including cybersecurity by default — not as an add-on
  • Actively monitoring and managing security tools
  • Providing local, owner-operated support
  • Designing security specifically for 10–25 employee businesses
  • Taking a proactive, relationship-based approach

Final Thought

Cybersecurity isn’t about buying more tools — it’s about reducing business risk.

For small businesses, the right protections can mean the difference between a close call and a costly shutdown.