Is Your Smart Office a Security Risk? What Small Businesses Need to Know About IoT

09/20/2025

Your office thermostat, conference room speaker, and smart badge reader are convenient, but they’re also doors into your network. With more devices than ever in play, keeping track can be tough, and it only takes one weak link to put your entire system at risk.

That’s why smart IT solutions matter now more than ever. A trusted IT partner can help you connect smart devices safely, keep data secure, and manage your whole setup without stress.

Here’s a practical guide designed for small teams getting ready to work with connected tech.

What is IoT?

IoT, or the Internet of Things, is all about physical devices, like sensors, appliances, gadgets, or machines, being connected to the internet. These smart tools can collect and share data, and even act on their own, all without needing someone to constantly manage them. IoT helps boost efficiency, automate tasks, and provide useful data that leads to smarter decisions for both businesses and individuals. But it also comes with challenges, like keeping data secure, protecting privacy, and keeping track of all those connected devices.

Steps To Manage IoT Security Risks for Small Businesses

1. Know What You’ve Got

Begin with all of your network’s smart devices, such as cameras, speakers, printers, and thermostats. If you are not aware of a gadget, you cannot keep it safe.

Walk through the office and note each gadget
Record model names and who uses them

With a clear inventory, you’ll have the visibility you need to stay in control during updates or when responding to issues.

2. Change Default Passwords Immediately

Most smart devices come with weak, shared passwords. If you’re still using the default password, you’re inviting trouble.

Change every password to something strong and unique
Store passwords securely where your team can consistently access them

It takes just a minute, and it helps you avoid one of the most common rookie mistakes: weak passwords.

3. Segment Your Network

Let your smart printer talk, but don’t let it talk to everything. Use network segmentation to give each IoT device space while keeping your main systems secure.

Create separate Wi-Fi or VLAN sections for IoT gear
Block IoT devices from accessing sensitive servers
Use guest networks where possible

Segmented networks reduce risk and make monitoring easy.

4. Keep Firmware and Software Updated

Security flaws are found all the time, and updates fix them. If your devices are out of date, you’re wide open to cyberattacks.

Check for updates monthly
Automate updates when possible
Replace devices that are no longer supported

Even older gadgets can be secure if they keep receiving patches.

5. Monitor Traffic and Logs

Once your devices are in place, watch how they talk. Unexpected activity could signal trouble.

Use basic network tools to track how often and where devices connect
Set alerts for strange activity, like a badge reader suddenly reaching the internet
Review logs regularly for odd patterns

You don’t need an army of security experts, just something as simple as a nightly check-in.

6. Set Up a Response Plan

Incidents happen; devices can fail or malfunction. Without a plan, every problem turns into a major headache. Your response plan should include:

Who to contact when devices act weird
How you’ll isolate a problematic device
Available standby tools or firmware

A strong response plan lets you respond quickly and keep calm when things go wrong.

7. Limit What Each Device Can Do

Not every device needs full network access. The key is permission controls.

Turn off unused features and remote access
Block internet access where not needed
Restrict device functions to exact roles only

Less access means less risk, yet your tools can still get the job done.

8. Watch for Devices That Creep In

It’s easy to bring in new devices without thinking of security risks, like smart coffee makers or guest speakers.

Have a simple approval step for new devices
Ask questions: “Does it need office Wi-Fi? Does it store data?”
Reject or block any gear that can’t be secured

Catching these risks early keeps your network strong.

9. Encrypt Sensitive Data

If your smart devices transmit data, ensure that data is encrypted both during transmission and while stored.

Check device settings for encryption options
Use encrypted storage systems on your network

Encryption adds a layer of protection without slowing things down.

10. Reevaluate Regularly

It’s easy to secure your office tech once and assume it stays that way. But tech changes fast, and so do threats.

Do a full check-in every six months
Reassess passwords, network segments, and firmware
Replace devices that don’t meet today’s standards

With a regular schedule, you keep ahead without overthinking it.

Why This Actually Matters

Smart devices simplify work but can pose risks if not properly secured. More businesses are experiencing cyberattacks through their IoT devices than ever before, and these attacks are rising rapidly. Protecting your systems isn’t about expensive high-tech solutions, it’s about taking simple, smart steps like updating passwords, keeping devices up to date, and knowing what’s connected.

These simple steps can protect your business without getting in the way. Plus, with the right IT support, staying ahead of threats is simpler than you might expect.

Your Office Is Smart, Your Security Should Be Too

You don’t need to be a cybersecurity expert to protect your small office. As more smart devices like printers, thermostats, and security cameras connect to your network, hackers have more opportunities to get in. The good news? Keeping your space secure doesn’t have to be complicated or costly.

With the right IT partner who understands the unique challenges small businesses face, you can take simple steps to protect what matters. Ready to get serious about IoT security? Contact us today and partner with a team that protects small offices, without the big-business complexity.

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Featured Image Credit

This Article has been Republished with Permission from The Technology Press.

Securing Your Supply Chain: Practical Cybersecurity Steps for Small Businesses

08/30/2025

Picture this: your business’s front door is locked tight, alarm systems are humming, and firewalls are up, but someone sneaks in through the back door, via a trusted vendor. Sound like a nightmare? It’s happening more often than you think. Cybercriminals aren’t always hacking directly into your systems anymore. Instead, they exploit the vulnerabilities in the software, services, and suppliers you rely on every day. For small businesses, this can feel like an impossible puzzle. How do you secure every link in a complex chain when resources are tight?

That’s where reliable IT solutions come in. They help you gain visibility and control over your entire supply chain, providing the tools to spot risks early and keep your business safe without breaking the bank.

A report shows that 2023 supply chain cyberattacks in the U.S. affected 2,769 entities, a 58% increase from the previous year and the highest number reported since 2017.

The good news is you don’t have to leave your business exposed. With the right mindset and practical steps, securing your supply chain can become manageable. This article walks you through easy-to-understand strategies that even the smallest business can implement to turn suppliers from a risk into a security asset.

Why Your Supply Chain Might Be Your Weakest Link

Here’s the harsh truth: many businesses put a lot of effort into protecting their internal networks but overlook the security risks lurking in their supply chain. Every vendor, software provider, or cloud service that has access to your data or systems is a potential entry point for attackers. And what’s scarier? Most businesses don’t even have a clear picture of who all their suppliers are or what risks they carry.

A recent study showed that over 60% of organizations faced a breach through a third party, but only about a third trusted those vendors to tell them if something went wrong. That means many companies find out about breaches when it’s already too late, after the damage is done.

Step 1: Get a Clear Picture: Map Your Vendors and Partners

You might think you know your suppliers well, but chances are you’re missing a few. Start by creating a “living” inventory of every third party with access to your systems, whether it’s a cloud service, a software app, or a supplier that handles sensitive information.

List everyone: Track every vendor who touches your data or systems.
Go deeper: Look beyond your direct vendors to their suppliers, sometimes risks come from those hidden layers.
Keep it current: Don’t treat this as a one-time job. Vendor relationships change, and so do their risks. Review your inventory regularly.

Step 2: Know Your Risk: Profile Your Vendors

Not all vendors carry the same weight in terms of risk. For example, a software provider with access to your customer data deserves more scrutiny than your office supplies vendor.

To prioritize, classify vendors by:

Access level: Who can reach your sensitive data or core infrastructure?
Security history: Has this vendor been breached before? Past problems often predict future ones.
Certifications: Look for security certifications like ISO 27001 or SOC 2, but remember, certification isn’t a guarantee, dig deeper if you can.

Step 3: Don’t Set and Forget: Continuous Due Diligence

Treating vendor security like a box to check once during onboarding is a recipe for disaster. Cyber threats are evolving, and a vendor who was safe last year might be compromised now.

Here’s how to keep your guard up:

Go beyond self-reports: Don’t rely only on questionnaires from vendors, they often hide problems. Request independent security audits or penetration testing results.
Enforce security in contracts: Make sure contracts include clear security requirements, breach notification timelines, and consequences if those terms aren’t met.
Monitor continuously: Use tools or services that alert you to any suspicious activity, leaked credentials, or new vulnerabilities in your vendor’s systems.

Step 4: Hold Vendors Accountable Without Blind Trust

Trusting vendors to keep your business safe without verification is a gamble no one should take. Yet, many businesses do just that.

To prevent surprises:

Make security mandatory: Require vendors to implement multi-factor authentication (MFA), data encryption, and timely breach notifications.
Limit access: Vendors should only have access to the systems and data necessary for their job, not everything.
Request proof: Ask for evidence of security compliance, such as audit reports, and don’t stop at certificates.

Step 5: Embrace Zero-Trust Principles

Zero-Trust means never assuming any user or device is safe, inside or outside your network. This is especially important for third parties.

Key steps include:

Strict authentication: Enforce MFA for any vendor access and block outdated login methods.
Segment your network: Make sure vendor access is isolated, preventing them from moving freely across your entire system.
Verify constantly: Recheck vendor credentials and permissions regularly to ensure nothing slips through the cracks.

Businesses adopting Zero-Trust models have seen a huge drop in the impact of vendor-related breaches, often cutting damage in half.

Step 6: Detect and Respond Quickly

Even the best defenses can’t guarantee no breach. Early detection and rapid response make all the difference.

Practical actions include:

Monitoring vendor software: Watch for suspicious code changes or unusual activity in updates and integrations.
Sharing threat info: Collaborate with industry groups or security services to stay ahead of emerging risks.
Testing your defenses: Conduct simulated attacks to expose weak points before cybercriminals find them.

Step 7: Consider Managed Security Services

Keeping up with all of this can be overwhelming, especially for small businesses. That’s where managed IT and security services come in.

They offer:

24/7 monitoring: Experts watch your entire supply chain non-stop.
Proactive threat detection: Spotting risks before they escalate.
Faster incident response: When something does happen, they act quickly to limit damage.

Outsourcing these tasks helps your business stay secure without stretching your internal resources thin.

Ignoring supply chain security can be costly. The average breach involving a third party now tops $4 million, not to mention the damage to reputation and customer trust.

On the flip side, investing in proactive supply chain security is an investment in your company’s future resilience. It protects your data, your customers, and your bottom line.

Taking Action Now: Your Supply Chain Security Checklist

Map all vendors and their suppliers.
Classify vendors by risk and access level.
Require and verify vendor security certifications and audits.
Make security mandatory in contracts with clear breach notification policies.
Implement Zero-Trust access controls.
Monitor vendor activity continuously.
Consider managed security services for ongoing protection.

Stay One Step Ahead

Cyber attackers are not waiting for a perfect moment, they are scanning for vulnerabilities right now, especially those hidden in your vendor ecosystem. Small businesses that take a proactive, strategic approach to supply chain security will be the ones that avoid disaster.

Your suppliers shouldn’t be the weakest link. By taking control and staying vigilant, you can turn your supply chain into a shield, not a doorway for attackers. The choice is yours: act today to protect your business or risk being the next headline.

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