When a business concept is born, building out a tech stack based on cybersecurity is not always the first item of concern. The need to simplify cybersecurity often comes later in the growth phase of a business. Start ups are well-known for everyone on staff pitching in in different areas. Technology, software purchases are often based on last minute needs, lowest costs, etc. It is often assumed that security is covered by the manufacturers of the chosen technology.

The recent global migration to remote work also adds challenges. Those employees working from home are often doing so from their own devices, and they may be using home Wi-Fi networks. Now, your business network stretches well beyond the bounds of your on-premises firewall. Plus, employees continue to download third-party apps you don’t know about and that could be compromising their technology. When they connect to your network, your business gets compromised, too.

At the same time, cybercrime threats are increasing. The number of potential entry points to identify and protect is constantly growing. Bad actors remain highly motivated to attack small business targets. Plus, they are finding ways to take advantage of the new vulnerabilities remote workers represent.

There is just so much IT, it’s difficult to keep up with it all. We find it’s useful to think about all these IT issues in terms of a four-part framework:

• tech stack
• security and compliance
• IT Management
• IT Operations

Looking at technology this way, your business can better identify IT gaps.

Next, we’ll explain the differences between each area in small business tech strategy.