Are You Ready for Cybersecurity Awareness Month? Here’s How to Prepare
October is coming fast, and with it comes a surge of cyber threats that most business owners aren’t prepared for. But here’s something most don’t know: there’s a simple step you can take right now to spot hidden vulnerabilities before they cost you clients, cash, or your credibility. Cybersecurity Awareness Month is right around the corner—don’t wait until it’s too late.
If you’re running a business in Memphis, TN, you’re already juggling a million things. The last thing you need is for a cyber attack to derail your operations while you’re focusing on hitting those year-end targets. Let’s walk through exactly how you can prepare for Cybersecurity Awareness Month so you can sleep better at night.
Why Do Cyber Threats Spike in the Fall?
September and October are perfect hunting seasons for cybercriminals, and they know it. Here’s why:
– Seasonal phishing campaigns ramp up as scammers take advantage of the back-to-school chaos and holiday shopping prep
– Your employees are distracted by summer vacation schedules, falling into new school routines, and dealing with end-of-year pressure
– October has become “go time” for organized cyber attacks; it’s like Black Friday for hackers
– Business owners are laser-focused on their Q4 goals, which means they often miss security gaps
Running your business without checking the dark web is like leaving your front door unlocked in a sketchy neighborhood. Sure, you might get lucky and they could target someone else, but do you really want to take the risk?
What Common Cybersecurity Gaps Are Businesses Missing?
Most business owners we talk to in Memphis, think they’re covered because they have antivirus software and a firewall. This is a great start, but it overlooks so many other important factors:
– Expired passwords that are still active on old accounts nobody remembers
– New hires who never underwent proper security training (or any training at all)
– Ancient Windows systems that are still humming along in the background, especially with Windows 10 support ending on October 14
– Gaps in your cyber insurance requirements that could leave you holding the bag
Here’s a question you might want to think over for a while: If your business got hit tomorrow, would your insurance actually pay out? Many policies have specific security requirements that businesses don’t even know about. If you don’t meet them, your coverage could be voided.
Why a Cybersecurity Readiness Assessment Should Be Your First Move
You know how you’re supposed to check your credit score from time to time to see if someone’s been messing with your finances? A Cybersecurity Readiness Assessment is like that, but for your business data. After all, you can’t protect what you don’t know is exposed.
Here’s what typically shows up when we assess businesses:
– Some employee email addresses are already compromised
– Passwords are being sold on underground forums
– Customer data has been floating around for months
The most upsetting part is that most business owners have no idea their information is out there. The good news is that once you know what’s exposed, you can actually do something about it.
How to Prepare for Cybersecurity Awareness Month
Cybersecurity Awareness Month is like tax season for IT. If you prepare for it in advance, it’s smooth sailing, but if you wait until the last minute, it’s going to be quite a scramble. Here’s your September action plan:
– Get that Cybersecurity Readiness Assessment done (seriously, do this first)
– Review your security checklist with someone who actually knows what they’re looking at
– Plan a phishing simulation for your team; it’s better if they fail in practice than for real
– Schedule an employee training refresh before October hits
– Audit your software updates and patch anything that needs patched
Start Preparing Now For Cybersecurity Awareness Month
For businesses in Memphis,, staying ahead of the game with solid cybersecurity measures can make all the difference when it comes to protecting sensitive data and maintaining your clients’ trust. The question isn’t whether cyber threats will increase this fall; it’s whether your business will be ready when they do.
Don’t wait until October to prepare for Cybersecurity Awareness Month. The hackers certainly aren’t waiting. Set aside 30 minutes this week to get your complimentary Cybersecurity Readiness Assessment done, and then you’ll know exactly where you stand.
If this is a priority for your operations, this is at the core of what our MSP does. Contact us today for further assistance!
Are you ready to see what’s already out there with your business’s name on it? Get your Cybersecurity Readiness Assessment and make sure October doesn’t bring any unwelcome surprises!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common reasons cyber insurance claims get denied?
Missing security controls, outdated systems, and lack of documentation are the top causes of denial—often because the business thought they were covered when they weren’t.
Do small businesses really need endpoint detection for insurance?
Yes. Many policies now list EDR as a minimum requirement, even for companies with fewer than 20 employees.
How often should we test our data backups?
At least quarterly. Your insurer may ask for proof that your backups work, not just that they exist.
Can cyber insurance lower my business risk?
It can help you recover financially after an incident, but only if you also meet the security requirements that prevent those incidents in the first place.
How do I choose a cyber insurance–ready MSP near me?
Choose someone who offers local cybersecurity support and proactive planning. ProTech Services Group serves Memphis with end-to-end compliance solutions.
- Why act before Cybersecurity Awareness Month instead of during?
Threats ramp up in October, so early preparation reduces risk and stress.
- What’s proactive cybersecurity?
Measures taken before an incident, like vulnerability scans, training, and patching.
- Can proactive security save money?
Yes—preventing attacks avoids downtime, lost clients, and expensive recovery costs.
- How can I measure my readiness?
Through a professional Cybersecurity Readiness Assessment and follow-up action plan.
- Where can I get proactive cybersecurity support locally?
ProTech Services Group helps businesses in Memphis prepare ahead of the curve.
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