We’ve all seen the headlines: ransomware attacks taking down hospitals, data breaches costing companies millions, and regulatory fines hitting small firms that didn’t even know they were out of compliance.
And yet, after years of working with businesses across California, the most common mistake we still see is this:
Treating IT and cybersecurity as an afterthought.
Despite increasing threats and regulations, many business owners still assume a basic antivirus, a router from Costco, and an occasional password reset are “good enough.” They’re not.
Here are the four biggest – and most costly – mistakes California business owners are making when it comes to cybersecurity:
1. Thinking “Basic” Protection Is Enough
Cybersecurity isn’t a checkbox. Free antivirus programs, outdated routers, and default security settings are no match for today’s cyber threats.
Criminals are using automation, AI, and social engineering to break into small and mid-sized businesses – because they know those targets are easier and more vulnerable.
If you’re running your business on free tools and hope, it’s only a matter of time.
2. Underestimating the True Cost of Downtime
A lot of business owners think: “If something breaks, we’ll fix it.” But in reality:
- When your network goes down, so does your ability to serve customers.
- When your email gets hacked, client trust disappears.
- When you’re locked out of your systems, every hour of downtime is money lost – and sometimes, it’s unrecoverable.
IT isn’t just about security. It’s about keeping your business running, even when something goes wrong.
3. Failing to Plan Beyond the Crisis
Too many businesses only invest in cybersecurity after something bad happens.
But threats evolve daily. What protected you last year might be completely ineffective today.
Cybersecurity is an ongoing process:
- Assess regularly.
- Update proactively.
- Adapt as threats change.
Set-it-and-forget-it won’t cut it in today’s digital landscape.
4. Not Getting Expert Guidance
You don’t have to go it alone – but too many businesses try to.
Navigating compliance requirements (like CCPA or FTC Safeguards), identifying weak spots, choosing the right tools – it’s a lot. And guessing your way through it is risky and expensive.
If you wouldn’t handle your own legal or financial audits, why take chances with your cybersecurity?
So What Should You Do?
✅ Stop taking shortcuts.
✅ Think beyond today.
✅ Surround yourself with trusted IT and cybersecurity experts.
You’ve worked hard to build your business. Make sure it’s protected – not just from obvious threats, but from silent ones that could shut you down.
If you’re not sure where your weak points are – or if you’re overdue for a second opinion – Synergy Computing, Inc. is one of the trusted IT and cybersecurity firms supporting California businesses. They help organizations of all sizes assess their risk and build resilient systems that evolve with threats.
👉 Click here to schedule a FREE Cyber Risk Assessment with Synergy Computing