Microsoft 365 has become the backbone of productivity for organizations worldwide – and a prime target for cyberattacks. In fact, according to the Microsoft Digital Defense Report Microsoft’s cloud services are now the top phishing target, with attackers making 4,000 password compromise attempts per second against Microsoft cloud accounts.

“The biggest piece I think with 365 is its security,” notes Matt Young, a Senior Project Manager at Wolf Consulting. “For CIOs and IT Directors, safeguarding Microsoft 365 is mission-critical to protect sensitive data, maintain compliance, and keep business running smoothly.”

In this article we dive into actionable strategies and expert tips tailored for decision-makers, IT directors, and CIOs who must ensure their organizations’ digital safety.

1. Enforce Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Everywhere

Stolen passwords are an open door for attackers – and Microsoft 365 credentials are among the most coveted. A single compromised Office 365 account can expose troves of email, files, and Teams data. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) locks that door by requiring a second form of verification (like a phone app approval or code) on top of the password. According to Microsoft, the majority of password-based attacks succeed simply because MFA isn’t enabled. Enabling MFA for all users – especially admins – is therefore “a critical piece” of security.

“We have two-factor authentication or multi-factor authentication that gets turned on on the account as a security measure,” explains Matt Young. “With MFA, even if hackers steal or guess a password, they can’t access the account without the second factor.”

Young notes that using a mobile authenticator app is one of the most secure MFA methods, since it’s extremely difficult to compromise compared to text-message codes. Microsoft offers its own Authenticator app, and third-party apps like Duo are also popular for push notifications.

For best results, implement the following MFA best practices:

• Require MFA for all accounts – standard users and admins alike. Don’t leave any accounts as weak links.
• Use app-based or FIDO2 security keys for MFA – these are phish-resistant and harder to spoof than SMS or voice calls.
• Disable legacy authentication protocols that don’t support MFA – such as older email clients using Basic Auth. These legacy methods are commonly exploited and should be blocked.
• Have backup MFA options – e.g. if a user loses their phone, ensure there’s a secondary verification method (like OTP codes or backup keys) so they’re not locked out.

Microsoft 365 administrators can enforce MFA via Azure AD (now Microsoft Entra ID), either by using Conditional Access policies or security defaults that require MFA for all users. By shutting down password-only logins, you’ll instantly eliminate a huge percentage of account compromise risk. It’s no surprise that “modern authentication with phish-resistant credentials” tops Microsoft’s own list of foundational security principles.

(Looking to cover the security basics beyond Microsoft 365? Check out 5 Must-Have Cybersecurity Essentials for SMBs in 2025 for a broader checklist.)

2. Adopt a Zero Trust Approach to Identity and Access

Even with MFA in place, don’t trust – always verify. A Zero Trust security model is essential in the cloud era, meaning every access request is treated as potentially suspicious until proven otherwise. In Microsoft 365, this translates to tightening identity and access management through policies and least-privilege principles:

• Conditional Access Policies: Set up Azure AD Conditional Access to require certain conditions for login. For example, you can block sign-ins from risky locations, enforce MFA for unfamiliar devices, or prevent logins from countries your business doesn’t operate in. These policies add contextual control so only trusted users/devices can access Microsoft 365. Microsoft even provides risk-based policies (via Azure AD Identity Protection) to auto-challenge or block sign-ins that appear suspicious (e.g. impossible travel or known-leaked credentials). Enabling these risk policies helps catch intrusions early by forcing additional verification or denying access.
• Least Privilege Access: Review and minimize who has admin roles or broad access in your tenant. Over-privileged accounts are a serious liability – if they get compromised, the blast radius is huge. Unfortunately, many organizations still assign excessive permissions out of convenience. To counter this, assign roles that match the user’s job needs only, and use features like Privileged Identity Management (PIM) for just-in-time admin access. Many organizations have a problem with privilege management. These over-reaching permissions create significant security challenges if abused. In short, no one should have more access than necessary.
• Separate Admin Accounts: Administrators should have a dedicated admin account for high-privilege tasks and a separate everyday user account. This way, the high-privilege credentials aren’t used for email, web browsing, or other activities that could expose them to attack. Also consider MFA enforcement and stricter policies for admin accounts, such as requiring hardware token MFA and blocking their use on non-corporate devices.

Matt Young explains, ‘there’s a lot of compliance items that can be configured… it goes back to data management.’ Essentially, Microsoft 365 security starts with a Zero Trust approach: always verify, use least privilege, and assume breach. By fine-tuning Microsoft Entra ID—implementing risk-based sign-ins, blocking outdated authentication, and restricting permissions—CIOs can fortify identity security, their first line of defense.

(For a deeper dive into proactive IT management (versus reactive firefighting), see Wolf Consulting’s insights on The Hidden Costs of Reactive IT Support – Why Proactive Management Pays Off.)

3. Harden Email Security and Phishing Defenses

Email remains the #1 threat vector for most organizations, and Microsoft 365’s popularity makes it a magnet for phishing and business email compromise (BEC) attacks. Microsoft’s threat intel unit detected an astounding 35 million BEC attempts between April 2022 and April 2023 – averaging 156,000 attempts per day. In a BEC scam, attackers don’t always exploit technical flaws; instead, they exploit human trust – impersonating suppliers, the CEO, or partners to trick employees into wiring money or divulging data.

As Vasu Jakkal, Microsoft’s security CVP, put it: “While we must enhance defenses through AI and phishing protection, enterprises also need to train employees to spot warning signs to prevent BEC attacks.”

To guard against these relentless email threats, combine technical safeguards with user vigilance:

• Enable Advanced Threat Protection (ATP): Microsoft 365 includes built-in anti-phishing and anti-malware features (Microsoft Defender for Office 365). Ensure ATP features like Safe Links and Safe Attachments are turned on to automatically neutralize malicious URLs and files in emails. These can catch new (“zero-day”) phishing tricks that standard filters might miss.
• Use a Third-Party Email Security Gateway: Many CIOs choose to layer solutions like Proofpoint or Barracuda on top of Exchange Online Protection for defense-in-depth. An external gateway can block spam and viruses upstream and add AI-based detection for spear phishing.
• Block Auto-Forwarding and Set Sender Policies: A common BEC tactic after compromising an account is to set up auto-forwarding rules to an external address, quietly siphoning copies of all incoming mail. To prevent this, configure Exchange Online mail flow rules to block external forwarding of email. Additionally, deploy DMARC, DKIM, and SPF records for your email domain – these DNS settings help ensure only legitimate servers send email on your behalf and flag attempts at spoofing your domain. Properly configured email authentication policies can greatly reduce spoofed emails pretending to be from your company.
• Beware of Third-Party Email Add-ins: Only allow trusted third-party add-ins or integrations with Exchange/Outlook. Malicious add-ins could intercept or redirect emails. Review any OAuth permissions granted to email-related apps (more on third-party app controls in a later section).
• Monitor for Anomalies: Use Microsoft 365’s alerting (via the Security & Compliance Center or Defender portal) to catch suspicious activity like impossible travel logins, unusual mailbox rules, or data download spikes. Swift detection can turn a potentially costly incident into a contained one.

Email is your business’s lifeline, so lock it down with layered security and never assume any email is harmless.

For more detailed plan on how to guard against email threats speak to one of Wolf Consulting’s experts by reaching to out to us here.

4. Educate and Test Users with Security Awareness Training

Even the best email filters can’t stop 100% of phishes – and it takes just one errant click by an employee to potentially compromise your Microsoft 365 tenant. That’s why user education is a security cornerstone. Teaching staff how to recognize and report suspicious emails, links, or login prompts can stop an attack in its tracks.

Matt Young stresses having “a security awareness training program… [that] teaches users how to look for those kinds of phishing things that come through in their email. Wolf Consulting implements a third-party training platform that regularly educates users and tests them with simulated phishing emails.”

Phishing simulation and training services, like those offered by Wolf Consulting, can send fake but realistic phishing tests to employees and track who clicks. Those who fall for it get instant feedback and further training. Over time, this builds a vigilant culture where users become an active layer of defense rather than a soft target.

Why is this so critical? Consider a real-world example Young shared: without training, an employee might receive a convincing scam email and “we’ve wired $15,000 off to somebody that we don’t even know who they are”. This kind of costly mistake is exactly what security training aims to prevent. Employees learn to spot red flags – like mismatched sender addresses, urgent money requests, or unusual login pages – and think before they click.

To make security awareness programs effective for Microsoft 365 users, follow these tips:

• Make it Continuous: One-and-done training isn’t enough. Schedule regular (e.g. monthly or quarterly) phishing simulations and interactive trainings. Threats evolve constantly, so keep security top-of-mind year-round.
• Cover Microsoft 365 Scenarios: Teach specifics like how to verify a SharePoint file share request, how to handle unsolicited OneDrive link emails, or how to respond to an MFA prompt they didn’t initiate. Users should also be aware of consent phishing (when a rogue app asks them to grant permissions).
• Encourage Reporting: Create an easy process (like a “Report Phishing” button in Outlook) for employees to report suspicious emails. This helps IT react quicker and also provides teachable moments.
• Include Executives and Admins: Cyber training isn’t just for junior staff. Executives are prime BEC targets, and admins have the keys to the kingdom – they all need the training and perhaps specialized modules (e.g. CFOs on wire fraud scams).
• Track Metrics and Improvement: Use the training platform’s metrics (click rates, report rates, etc.) to identify high-risk users or departments and focus efforts there. Celebrate improvements to reinforce good behavior.

Ultimately, technology alone can’t stop every social engineering attack. Educated users become a human firewall that complements your technical controls. As Microsoft’s security report highlighted, attackers are constantly refining their lures – so we must constantly educate our people. A well-trained workforce, combined with strong email security, dramatically reduces the odds of a phishing email turning into a business nightmare.

5. Implement Data Classification and Loss Prevention Policies

Data is the lifeblood of your business – and Microsoft 365 makes it flow freely through SharePoint, OneDrive, Teams, and Exchange. That convenience is a double-edged sword if not managed properly because sensitive information can leak out easily, whether by accident or malicious intent. To mitigate this, organizations need robust data governance in M365 classifying data by sensitivity and enforcing rules on how it’s handled.

Matt Young highlights that beyond the buzz around AI features like Copilot, “you want to have data governance in place anyway to manage your internal data”. Before enabling new AI or collaboration tools, ensure your data is labeled and protected.

Microsoft Purview (formerly Office 365 Security & Compliance Center) provides a toolkit for this:

• Sensitivity Labels: Define labels (e.g. Public, Internal, Confidential, Highly Confidential) and apply them to documents and emails. Labels can be applied manually by users or automatically based on rules (such as detecting credit card numbers or patient data). These labels can enforce encryption or watermarks, prevent external sharing, or just tag content for awareness. Proper labeling ensures that if a file is sensitive, it stays protected no matter where it goes – even if accidentally emailed outside the company.
• Data Loss Prevention (DLP) Policies: DLP in Microsoft 365 lets you detect and block sensitive data from leaving via email, Teams chats, or SharePoint/OneDrive sharing. For example, you can create a policy to prevent any email that contains more than 10 client account numbers from being sent outside your domain, or to warn users and require override justifications. DLP can also block uploads of confidential files to unmanaged cloud apps. These policies are essential in highly regulated industries (finance, healthcare) to meet compliance, but they’re good practice for any business to avoid data exfiltration.
• Sharing Controls: Configure SharePoint and OneDrive external sharing settings to an appropriate level. If possible, avoid “Anyone with the link” sharing for sensitive repositories; use “People in your organization” or specific external people with verification. Additionally, regularly audit access permissions on SharePoint sites and Teams to ensure only the right internal people (and guest users) have access to confidential information. Many breaches occur from overly broad access where an insider or compromised account accesses data they shouldn’t have.
• Conditional Access for Data: Leverage Conditional Access policies to protect data, too. For instance, you can require devices be compliant (managed and not jailbroken, with up-to-date patches) to access certain SharePoint sites or download files. You can also block downloads of files labeled Confidential on unmanaged devices, allowing only web viewing. This ties data protection with device security.

Without proper data classification and policies, failure to inventory your SharePoint data and implement policies will leave your organization vulnerable to attack and possible data exposure. A recent example is a critical SharePoint flaw that CISA warned was being actively exploited – organizations with sensitive data unclassified and wide-open would be at higher risk in such cases.

By knowing your data and guarding it, you significantly reduce the impact of any single account being compromised. Even if attackers get in, strong DLP and sharing restrictions can stop them from taking the crown jewels. It’s a proactive way to contain breaches and prevent costly data leaks. As Microsoft’s security guidance puts it, “protect data – know your important data, where it lives, and whether the right defenses are in place.”

6. Limit Third-Party App Permissions and Shadow IT

In the modern cloud ecosystem, employees can connect all sorts of third-party apps to Microsoft 365 – from productivity add-ins to entire SaaS platforms integrating with your tenant. While these apps can boost efficiency, each integration is a potential backdoor if not vetted. In 2023, supply chain attacks via third-party cloud apps surged, with one study finding 39% of third-party apps requested high-risk permissions in M365 environments. Such permissions might allow an app to read all your emails or files, for instance. CIOs must bring Shadow IT out of the shadows and rein in app permissions to protect company data.

Best practices to manage third-party app risk include:

Audit and Approve Apps: Use Azure AD’s Enterprise Applications and OAuth consent settings to see which apps users have consented access to. You may be surprised at the long list. Disable user consent for new apps by default and switch to an admin-consent model, especially for apps requesting broad permissions. Then, establish an internal process for users to request app access, where IT can evaluate the app’s security (Does it come from a reputable publisher? What data will it access? Is the data stored securely?).

Limit OAuth Permissions: Even for approved apps, grant the least privileged OAuth scopes possible. For example, if an app just needs to manage calendars, it shouldn’t have permission to read all SharePoint files. Microsoft Graph permissions are quite granular – use that to your advantage. Also, periodically review and remove unused app permissions.

Leverage Cloud App Security (MCAS): Microsoft’s Defender for Cloud Apps (formerly MCAS) can help monitor cloud app usage. It can detect unusual app behaviors, flag risky OAuth apps, and even integration with Conditional Access to block apps deemed high risk. If you have a CASB (Cloud Access Security Broker) solution, configure it to watch for data exfiltration to unapproved apps.

Employee Education on App Consents: Include in your security training a module on application consent. Users should be wary when an app asks for permissions like “Read your mail” or “Access your contacts and files” – if it looks fishy or unrelated to the app’s purpose, they should decline and notify IT. Attackers sometimes create malicious apps that, if a single user unwittingly authorizes, can slurp data from the entire organization (this is called consent phishing).

Remember, even a well-intentioned user can introduce a bad app that leads to a breach. By instituting a policy that limit third-party applications from connecting to organizations services unless absolutely necessary, you reduce your attack surface. Vet and trust only what’s needed. Everything else – just say no.

7. Continuously Monitor, Audit, and Improve Your Security Posture

Securing Microsoft 365 is not a one-and-done project – it’s an ongoing process. Threats evolve, employees change roles, new features roll out. Smart CIOs establish continuous monitoring and periodic audits to ensure the organization’s M365 security posture stays strong and keeps improving over time.

Here are practical ways to achieve that:

Leverage Secure Score: Microsoft 365’s built-in Secure Score tool (in the Microsoft 365 security center) gives you a measurable rating of your tenant’s security configuration, along with recommendations. It checks things like how many users have MFA, whether audit logging is enabled, if mailbox forwarding is disabled, etc., and assigns points. Regularly review your Secure Score and work on improving it by implementing the recommended actions. Think of it as a security fitness tracker – while not perfect, it ensures you don’t overlook basic best practices.

Enable Audit Logging and Review Reports: Make sure Unified Audit Logging is turned on (it typically is by default now) so that user and admin activities in Exchange, SharePoint, Teams, Entra ID, etc. are recorded. Use the audit log search or set up alerts for critical activities (e.g., admin role changes, mass file deletions, eDiscovery searches). Microsoft 365 can also send you weekly security summaries. Reviewing these logs and alerts can catch issues like a rogue admin action or an unusual data access pattern early.

Conduct Regular Security Assessments: At least annually, do a thorough review of your Microsoft 365 tenant security. This could be an internal check against a checklist or an external Microsoft 365 security assessment by a partner. Assess configurations against benchmarks like Microsoft’s recommended practices or CISA’s M365 Secure Configuration Baseline, which covers critical settings for Teams, Exchange Online, Entra ID and more. In late 2023, CISA released a detailed baseline guide for Microsoft 365 security – a clear signal that staying configured securely is a national priority. Use such resources to double-check that your settings align with the latest guidance.

Simulate and Test: Consider running penetration tests or breach simulations focusing on your cloud environment. For example, test if a fake phish can get an unprivileged user to run a malicious OAuth app, or see how far a compromised account without MFA could go. Microsoft offers tools like Attack Simulation Training in Defender for Office 365, which can simulate password spray attacks, consent phishing, etc., to test your defenses. Third-party pen-testers can also evaluate your M365 from an attacker’s lens. Findings from these tests will reveal gaps to fix before a real attacker exploits them.

Stay Informed and Update Policies: Keep an eye on the Microsoft 365 roadmap and security blogs for new security features (for example, improvements to Entra ID, new DLP capabilities, etc.). Cyber threats change, and so do mitigation tactics – for instance, there’s a growing emphasis on passwordless authentication (like FIDO2 keys) to counter advanced phishing. Periodically update your policies and training to adapt to the current threat landscape (e.g., include AI-generated phishing examples, or tighten policies if a new vulnerability emerges).

Internally at Wolf Consulting, “we take security very, very seriously. We have a lot of things in place – third-party auditors do penetration testing on our network to make sure everything is secure” says Matt Young.

This level of rigor is what every organization needs to aspire to with their cloud security. The goal is to find and fix weaknesses before attackers do. Many companies only realize a security gap (like lack of MFA or an open forwarding rule) after a breach. By monitoring and auditing continuously, you can catch these proactively.

Finally, foster a culture of security. Celebrate when employees report phishing emails. Make security a standing agenda item in IT and management meetings. When leadership treats security as a continuous priority (and not just an IT problem), the whole organization becomes more resilient. Microsoft 365, with all its productivity power, will then remain a business enabler – not a liability.

(For more cybersecurity insights and proactive IT strategies, don’t miss Wolf Consulting’s IT Blogs, where we regularly share expert advice on topics like network security, cloud computing, and best practices to keep your business safe.)

Conclusion

We’ve covered the seven essential practices – from locking down identities with MFA and Zero Trust, to fortifying email and training users, to protecting data and devices, and monitoring continuously. These focus areas align with what CIOs and IT leaders around the world are asking about and prioritizing. Each one addresses a critical question: How do we prevent breaches in our cloud email and data? How do we manage the human factor? How do we ensure compliance and not stifle productivity?

By implementing the best practices above, you create multiple layers of defense that work in concert. Microsoft 365’s vast capabilities come with equally vast security tools – when configured and used properly, you can achieve a very secure cloud environment. And if you don’t have the in-house resources or expertise, consider partnering with experts who live and breathe this domain. As the threats grow in sophistication, having a trusted advisor can make all the difference.

The security piece is key in the online world we live in. Invest the time and effort to get it right. With a solid foundation in Microsoft 365 security, your team can collaborate and innovate confidently – and that ultimately drives the success of the business.

Need help implementing these strategies? Contact Wolf Consulting today to build a customized cybersecurity plan that fits your business’s needs.

IT documentation doesn’t always sit at the top of the priority list for growing businesses. But what would happen to your business if the one person who knows your IT systems inside and out suddenly became unavailable when things go wrong? Without proper documentation, your business could face costly downtime, security risks, and operational confusion. This highlights why IT documentation is more than a nice-to-have—it’s essential for business continuity.

Neglecting documentation can lead to expensive delays and security lapses. Consider this:

93% of companies without a disaster recovery plan fail to recover from a major disruption within a year &
21% of productivity losses are due to documentation challenges, affecting operational efficiency

What is IT Documentation?

Why IT Documentation Matters

Avoid Single Points of Failure

Relying on a single IT expert to hold all the knowledge is a risky strategy. If that person becomes unavailable, your business could face significant challenges. ‘With proper documentation, no team member becomes indispensable—it’s about fostering shared knowledge,’ says Cliff Lashawn, VCTO at Wolf Consulting. In fact, 60% of small businesses that lose key IT personnel experience operational delays lasting a month or more.

Speedier Issue Resolution

IT documentation is a critical time-saver during a crisis. ‘Our teams can quickly reference documentation to identify and resolve problems, minimizing downtime for our clients,’ says Michael Ostrowski, Director of Services. Considering that businesses lose an average of $8,600 per hour during unplanned IT outages, having detailed and accessible documentation is essential for reducing costs and disruption.

Better Security and Compliance

Comprehensive documentation ensures that critical security settings and processes are tracked, reducing the risk of oversights. For example, the team at Wolf Consulting routinely reviews clients’ IT setups to ensure compliance with regulations like HIPAA and PCI DSS.

Better Security and Compliance

Comprehensive IT documentation plays a vital role in tracking critical security settings and processes, significantly reducing the risk of oversights. At Wolf Consulting, the team routinely reviews clients’ IT setups to ensure compliance with important regulations like HIPAA and PCI DSS. This level of diligence is crucial, as 58% of data breaches involve small businesses, often due to weak security configurations and gaps in documentation.

Smooth Employee Transitions

Employee turnover is inevitable, but IT documentation ensures smooth transitions and prevents operational disruption. It serves as a roadmap for new hires, enabling them to get up to speed quickly and effectively. Without proper documentation, businesses can experience a 20-30% decrease in productivity during employee transitions, highlighting the importance of maintaining detailed records.

How Wolf Consulting Supports IT Documentation

Wolf Consulting takes a proactive approach to IT documentation. “Documentation is part of everything we do—from onboarding new clients to day-to-day operations,” explains Keith Jackman, Director of Projects and Technologies.

Here’s how Wolf Consulting works with businesses to ensure their IT environments are fully documented and prepared:

Custom Onboarding

Every new client engagement begins with a comprehensive audit of their IT systems. Wolf’s project consultants map out everything from network configurations to user permissions. The goal is to document everything, so no detail is missed.

Continuous Updates

IT environments are constantly evolving, but Wolf Consulting ensures documentation stays up to date by using tools to monitor changes in real time as new systems or security measures are implemented. This proactive approach is essential, as organizations with up-to-date IT documentation experience a 40% faster response time to critical issues.

Collaboration with Clients

During quarterly business reviews (QBRs), Wolf’s teams review documentation with clients, ensuring they understand their systems and feel confident in their IT setup. “We want clients to feel like they have full transparency into how their technology works,” notes William Palmer, VP of Growth.

Training and Knowledge Sharing

Employees are often the weakest link in IT security, accounting for 82% of data breaches caused by human error. That’s why Wolf Consulting provides training to help staff identify phishing attacks and use tools effectively. ‘A well-informed team is as critical as any software we deploy,’ says David Spink, VCTO. Companies that invest in regular cybersecurity training see 60% fewer phishing-related incidents.

Need help implementing these strategies? Contact Wolf Consulting today to build a customized plan that fits your business’s needs.

Pittsburgh, PA – January 17, 2025

The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld a law requiring ByteDance to divest its ownership of TikTok by January 19, 2025, or face a nationwide ban. This decision, driven by national security concerns, means that starting Sunday, TikTok may become inaccessible to U.S. users if no sale occurs.

William Palmer, Director of Growth at Wolf Consulting, weighed in on the potential ripple effects during an interview with Pittsburgh’s WTAE News Station.

“It’s unfortunately pretty creepy how easy it is to find out who someone is by location data and where you spend time every evening during the day,” Palmer explained. “They can infer where you work, and pretty quickly you can find out.”
Palmer also warned of a broader trend in platform scrutiny. “You could guess that the situation is similar and the outcome will be similar. If TikTok is banned, RedNote won’t be far behind, especially if they find issues with RedNote’s cybersecurity structure,” he noted.

The looming ban and the potential for further platform crackdowns underscore the importance of robust cybersecurity measures for businesses. Wolf Consulting, a Managed Service Provider (MSP), helps organizations protect their digital infrastructure and prepare for unexpected disruptions. Proactive measures, such as risk assessments and data protection strategies, are critical in ensuring businesses remain secure and adaptable in a rapidly changing digital environment.

For more details on William Palmer‘s interview and the broader implications of the TikTok ban, visit WTAE’s coverage here.

About Wolf Consulting

Wolf Consulting is a leading MSP in the Pittsburgh region, specializing in IT support and cybersecurity solutions for small and mid-sized businesses. With a focus on proactive technology management, Wolf Consulting helps clients adapt to the evolving digital landscape while safeguarding their operations.

When IT problems hit your business, it’s both endlessly frustrating and costly. It’s been shown time and again that waiting until something breaks, a reactive IT approach, often leads to bigger expenses from both lost productivity and repair. For example, ransomware attacks now cost U.S. businesses an average of $4.88 million per breach, according to the latest 2024 data (IBM). Even smaller issues, like an email outage, can result in hours of lost productivity across your team.

On the other hand, proactive IT management focuses on preventing issues before they occur. By maintaining, monitoring, and managing your IT systems, proactive support ensures that your business stays operational, efficient, and secure. Here’s why businesses should consider switching to proactive IT management and how it can save both time and money in the long run.

Downtime Is a Hidden Cost for SMBs

One of the biggest hidden costs of reactive IT support is downtime. For example, when a server crashes or a system goes offline work can get halted in an instant. While enterprise-level outages can result in astronomical losses, research by ITIC reveals that for SMBs, the average cost of downtime is $427 per hour​​.

“Downtime impacts both productivity and reputation,” explains Kevin Gorny, Technical Services Manager at Wolf Consulting. “When businesses can’t operate, it doesn’t just cost them in time—it affects client relationships and future business opportunities.”

For SMBs, recovery from downtime isn’t always simple—it often requires identifying the root cause of the outage, restoring lost data, repairing or replacing hardware, and implementing safeguards to prevent future incidents. For businesses in regulated industries, there’s the added risk of non-compliance penalties if systems are unavailable during audits. Beyond the immediate costs of restoring operations, there’s the lasting damage caused by missed deadlines, delayed projects, and lost contracts.

Technology is the backbone of most businesses today, and when systems like Microsoft 365 or SharePoint go offline, employees are left waiting, unable to complete their work. This creates a ripple effect—current tasks are delayed, and future projects are pushed back. At the same time, customers who can’t access services or face delays may lose trust and turn to competitors, putting long-term relationships and future sales at risk.

At Wolf Consulting, we know how much downtime can impact SMBs because we help businesses in the Pittsburgh area that reach out for IT help. Proactive IT that can include things like real-time system monitoring, early issue detection, and quick resolutions can help prevent small problems from turning into major disruptions. Whether it’s fully managed IT or co-managed solutions for businesses with in-house IT teams, we’ve found these approaches make a big difference in keeping SMBs running smoothly and avoiding downtime.

How to Estimate the True Cost of IT Downtime

In a reactive IT support model, IT teams are patching up problems instead of addressing root causes. Over time, this leads to repeated breakdowns and higher repair costs. According to Ponemon Institute, businesses spend 60% more on emergency fixes under reactive support compared to proactive IT management. Small, recurring problems can spiral into major issues, costing more money and time.

Understanding the full cost of IT downtime is the first step for SMBs to evaluate their risk and invest wisely in solutions that minimize disruptions. Calculating downtime costs involves assessing tangible losses, such as labor costs and revenue, as well as harder-to-measure impacts like damage to your company’s reputation or customer trust.

Simple Formulas to Estimate Downtime Costs

The following formulas provide a basic framework to calculate the labor costs and revenue loss associated with IT downtime caused by reactive IT support:

Productivity Cost = E × % × C × H

Where:

• E = Number of employees affected
• % = Percentage impact on their productivity
• C = Average hourly cost per employee
• H = Number of hours the downtime lasts

Example: If 10 employees are 50% affected during a 4-hour outage, with an average hourly wage of $30, the productivity cost is:

10 × 0.5 × $30 × 4hrs = $600

Revenue Loss = (GR / TH) × % × H

Where:

• GR = Gross annual revenue
• TH = Total annual business hours
• % = Percentage impact
• H = Hours of downtime

Example: If a company with $2 million annual revenue operates 2,000 hours per year and experiences 4 hours of downtime with a 30% impact, the revenue loss is:

($2,000,000 / 2,000hrs) × 0.3 × 4hrs = $1,200

Additional Costs to Consider

Downtime costs from reactive IT go beyond lost productivity and revenue. Businesses often incur:

• Recovery Costs: Expenses related to overtime, repairing systems, and restoring lost data.
• Supply Chain Disruptions: Delays or penalties that cascade through your operations.
• Reputational Damage: Lost customer trust, churn, or missed deadlines can have long-term impacts.
• Crisis Management: Services like public relations to mitigate reputational harm.
• Opportunity Costs: Lost revenue or new business opportunities, such as missed sales or delayed project launches.
• Customer Compensation: Refunds, discounts, or credits offered to customers affected by service disruptions.
• Legal and Compliance Costs: Fines for non-compliance with industry regulations or breach notifications if data is compromised.
• Brand Damage: Longer-term erosion of trust and customer loyalty, especially if downtime affects high-profile clients or partners.
• Productivity Recovery Time: Additional time needed for employees to regain full productivity after systems are restored.
• Incident Investigation and Reporting: Resources spent identifying root causes, conducting post-mortem analyses, and implementing preventative measures.

Why Proactive IT Management Makes Sense

Simple calculations above can show you how quickly downtime costs can add up, even for small outages. When you factor in less tangible effects, like customers turning to competitors or damaged relationships, the case for robust proactive network management becomes clear. Proactive IT strategies, like those offered by Wolf Consulting, are designed to help SMBs avoid these disruptions and protect their bottom line.

When Is It Time to Rethink Your IT Strategy?

Understanding the cost of downtime and how to calculate it gives business owners, COOs, CFOs and internal IT personnel a clear picture of the risks reactive IT management can pose. But identifying when it’s time to shift to a proactive approach is equally important. Many businesses don’t realize they’re stuck in a reactive cycle until escalating costs, frequent disruptions, or cybersecurity concerns force their hand. Recognizing the right triggers early allows you to make the change before these issues impact your bottom line.

Triggers That Signal It’s Time for Change

• Frequent Downtime: Businesses lose an average of $427 per hour during downtime, with productivity, customer trust, and revenue taking the hardest hits (ITIC). Regular system crashes or recurring IT issues are often signs of a reactive IT approach that only addresses problems after they disrupt operations.
• Escalating IT Costs: Emergency fixes and outdated systems are costly. According to Gartner, organizations that rely on reactive IT spend 20-30% more annually compared to those with proactive strategies.
• Unreliable Technology: Legacy systems are a major pain point, with 80% of SMB leaders identifying outdated technology as a barrier to business growth (SMB Group). Falling behind on updates and upgrades leaves you vulnerable to downtime and missed opportunities.
• Cybersecurity Challenges: With cyberattacks on SMBs rising by 20% year-over-year (Verizon DBIR 2024), businesses relying on outdated security measures are at higher risk. AI-driven threats, such as automated phishing campaigns, further highlight the need for proactive, advanced defenses. Read more about the 5 Must Have Cybersecurity Essentials for SMBs in 2025.
• Growth and Scalability Problems: As your business expands, so do your IT needs. Hybrid work is here to stay, with 58% of SMBs supporting remote work in 2024 (PwC), requiring secure, scalable solutions to keep distributed teams productive.

Elements to Consider for 2025

As you evaluate your IT approach, keep in mind the challenges and opportunities ahead:

• AI in IT Management: AI-driven threats are growing, but SMBs adopting AI-powered tools report a 40% faster detection and response rate to cybersecurity incidents (Forrester).
• Hybrid and Remote Work Needs: Flexible IT systems that support remote access securely and efficiently are non-negotiable for businesses adapting to modern workforces.
• Cloud-Based Tools: Over 85% of SMBs are increasing their investment in cloud services like Microsoft 365 and SharePoint to enhance collaboration and scalability (Flexera).
• Regulatory Compliance: Evolving data protection standards, like GDPR and CCPA, mean SMBs must adopt solutions that ensure compliance to avoid costly fines.

Recognizing these triggers and trends positions your business to transition from reactive fixes to proactive strategies, ensuring your IT systems can support long-term success.

“Yes, we address problems—but more importantly, we help businesses move forward by strategically upgrading infrastructure and integrating new technologies to drive efficiency,” says Keith Jackman, Director of Projects and Technologies at Wolf Consulting.

Whether through cloud migrations or cybersecurity upgrades, Wolf Consulting helps businesses stay ahead of technological changes rather than lagging behind.

How Wolf Consulting’s Proactive IT Approach Stands Out

Many Managed Service Providers (MSPs) claim to be proactive, but Wolf Consulting delivers a comprehensive strategy that actively prevents issues before they impact your business. Unlike MSPs that rely solely on automated alerts or occasional system checks, we employ advanced monitoring technologies, Managed Detection and Response (MDR), Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR), and layered security solutions to safeguard your systems against threats proactively.

What truly distinguishes Wolf Consulting is the dedicated team structure that allows them to go above and beyond for Wolf’s clients. Each client is assigned a specific team that understands their unique environment and business needs intimately.

“You’re not just calling into a random help desk,” explains Michael Ostrowski, Director of Services. “Your dedicated team knows your systems inside and out, enabling us to provide more effective and personalized proactive support.”

Our security-first approach goes beyond basic antivirus software and firewalls. We offer proactive cybersecurity services that include MDR, EDR, continuous monitoring, and comprehensive employee training. This multifaceted strategy allows Wolf to detect and neutralize any threat that could potentially disrupt your business.

“We continuously evolve our tools and strategies to stay ahead of cybercriminals, protecting our clients from sophisticated email compromises, phishing schemes, and other advanced attacks,” says Clifford Laschon, Technical Services Manager at Wolf Consulting.

Why Proactive IT Management Pays Off for Pittsburgh Businesses

Relying on reactive IT support might seem economical initially, but hidden costs like downtime, repeated repairs, cybersecurity breaches, and missed growth opportunities quickly accumulate. Proactive IT management offers a smarter solution for Pittsburgh businesses. By preventing issues before they occur, keeping systems optimized, and strengthening cybersecurity defenses—including protection against AI-driven threats—proactive support ensures your business stays operational, efficient, and secure. It also provides predictable IT costs, avoiding unplanned budget surprises associated with emergency fixes.

Partnering with Wolf Consulting gives your business a distinct advantage.

“With proactive management, we give businesses peace of mind that their IT costs are steady and predictable,” says William Palmer, VP of Growth at Wolf Consulting. “We help clients plan ahead, ensuring no unpleasant financial surprises.”

Our dedicated teams understand your unique environment, offering personalized support that goes beyond basic fixes. We employ advanced monitoring technologies, Managed Detection and Response (MDR), Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR), and layered security solutions to proactively safeguard your systems. Our security-first approach helps prevent downtime, reduces repair costs, enhances employee productivity, and positions your business for growth.

Don’t let IT challenges hold your business back. Embrace proactive IT management to ensure your technology works for you, not against you. Contact Wolf Consulting to discuss how our comprehensive services can support your technology needs and drive your business forward.

As we move into 2025, cybersecurity is becoming a major concern for businesses of all sizes — but especially for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). SMBs are increasingly becoming prime targets for cybercriminals. In fact, 56% of cyberattacks today don’t even rely on traditional malware. Instead, attackers are using legitimate tools already present in business systems to evade detection and maximize their attack surface.

The good news is there’s a way for you to protect your business without being a cybersecurity expert. There are five critical strategies that SMBs should implement to safeguard their digital assets from modern cyber threats.

1. Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)

What is Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)?

Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) is a sophisticated security solution that continuously monitors your business’s devices—including laptops, desktops, and mobile phones—for signs of malicious activity. If suspicious behavior is detected, EDR can swiftly isolate the affected device, preventing potential threats from spreading across your network.

How do we use EDR at Wolf Consulting?

Wolf Consulting has a team of experts monitoring potential threats to your business’s endpoints in real-time, which includes analyzing the latest attack vectors, filtering for false-positives, and quickly resolving any security issues that have been identified.

Our EDR solution is part of a more comprehensive security strategy that goes far beyond basic firewall and antivirus protection. While tools like Microsoft Defender, Norton, Malwarebytes etc. provide a solid foundation, our advanced EDR solution offers an essential next layer of defense against even the most advanced cyber attacks.

Why does EDR matter for your cybersecurity strategy

Every device an employee uses, whether in the office or remotely, is a potential entry point for cyberattacks. In 2024, EDR remains essential due to a continued rise in malware-free attacks. Cybercriminals increasingly rely on credential abuse and phishing, which bypass traditional malware defenses. In fact, nearly 80% of successful cyberattacks in 2024 involved phishing or using legitimate credentials, making behavior-based detection critical​. Additionally, as remote work persists, cloud-based intrusions continue to rise—up 75% from the previous year​.

The benefit of implementing EDR for your business

Implementing EDR through Wolf Consulting offers SMBs critical protection against these modern threats. Here’s how EDR benefits your organization:

Real-time Monitoring and Response: EDR constantly monitors your business’s devices, flagging suspicious activity and alerting security professionals immediately.

Clifford Laschon, vCTO/Technical Services Manager at Wolf Consulting, emphasizes:
“Having EDR in place for remote workers is crucial because it provides continuous visibility and response capabilities, even if employees are accessing data from home or other offsite locations.”

This ensures that attacks are identified early and contained before spreading across your network.

Protection for Remote Work: With more employees working remotely or using personal devices for business, EDR is essential for protecting devices wherever they are. In 2024, 80% of all breaches involve stolen credentials​. EDR helps detect abnormal activity and prevent breaches in both onsite and remote environments.

Prevention of ransomware and malware: Ransomware attacks remain one of the biggest threats in 2024 and have been accelerated by generative AI. However, AI-powered EDR solutions have become more advanced in detecting early signs of ransomware and stopping it before it can encrypt data.

Clifford Laschon adds, “Our multi-layered approach includes EDR as a key tool in detecting early signs of ransomware, preventing it from encrypting critical data before it can cause serious harm.”

This proactive approach minimizes downtime and protects your business from significant damage.

The bottom line

Wolf Consulting’s EDR solutions provide the cutting-edge protection your business needs to stay secure against advanced threats that are able to penetrate your business’s first line of defense. With real-time monitoring and AI-powered detection, EDR ensures that your business’s devices and data are safe—whether employees are working in-office or remotely. In 2024, EDR has become a must-have for businesses seeking comprehensive protection from modern, stealthy attacks.

2. Managed Detection and Response (MDR)

What is MDR?

Managed Detection and Response (MDR) is a cybersecurity service that uses expert teams and advanced technology to monitor your networks, devices, and cloud systems around the clock. MDR actively searches for threats, responds to them in real time, and limits their damage—without needing extra staff. Its main advantage is the fast, hands-on approach to detecting and stopping cyberattacks before they cause serious harm.

Why MDR matters for your cybersecurity strategy

MDR goes beyond traditional security tools like firewalls and Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solutions. While EDR focuses on identifying threats on individual devices, MDR takes a broader view, continuously monitoring your entire digital ecosystem for suspicious behavior.

Cybercriminals now use legitimate tools within business systems to bypass conventional defenses. In 2024, more than 90% of cyberattacks involved credential theft, data breaches, or ransomware, often initiated through phishing or unauthorized remote access. Attackers are increasingly using stolen credentials to infiltrate systems, making Managed Detection and Response (MDR) crucial for businesses. MDR helps to monitor and respond to these sophisticated intrusions, including internal threats like the abuse of Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP), which was involved in 77% of attacks​

How is MDR different from EDR?

While both MDR and EDR monitor systems for malicious activity, EDR is primarily focused on detecting threats at the device level. MDR, on the other hand, extends this protection to the entire network, cloud applications, and even email systems. For example, while EDR might catch malware on a specific laptop, MDR can detect unauthorized access across multiple endpoints and cloud environments.

Clifford Laschon, vCTO at Wolf Consulting, emphasizes:

“EDR is a vital layer for endpoint security, but without MDR, you’re missing the broader picture. With MDR, we can detect unusual activity across your cloud applications or identify when a phishing email leads to unauthorized access across multiple accounts.”

How Wolf Consulting’s MDR Service Benefits Your Business

24/7 Monitoring and Response: Cyber threats can occur at any moment, day or night. Wolf Consulting’s MDR service offers continuous monitoring across your entire digital infrastructure, detecting suspicious activities like unusual logins or privilege escalations in real time. If a threat is identified—whether it’s a phishing attempt or unauthorized access to your Microsoft 365 accounts—Wolf Consulting steps in immediately to isolate the threat and protect your data.

Proactive Threat Hunting: Rather than waiting for an alert, Wolf Consulting’s security experts actively hunt for hidden threats in your network and cloud environments. This proactive approach allows us to catch threats that haven’t triggered alarms yet.

In 2024, threat actors increasingly targeted cloud platforms, with a 75% year-over-year rise in cloud-based intrusions.

Fast Incident Response and Recovery: When a threat is detected, Wolf Consulting’s MDR service takes immediate action to isolate affected systems and mitigate the threat. This quick response helps minimize downtime and reduces the potential damage to your business.

As Clifford Laschon explains: “Our team moves swiftly when a breach is detected. By stopping the attack in its early stages, we minimize the impact and ensure your business can get back to normal operations as soon as possible.”

Cost-Effective Security: For small and medium-sized businesses, maintaining an in-house security team can be expensive. Wolf Consulting’s MDR service gives you access to enterprise-level protection at a fraction of the cost, without sacrificing the quality of security.

The bottom line

In 2024, sophisticated cyberattacks that evade traditional defenses are on the rise. Wolf Consulting’s MDR service provides the proactive monitoring, real-time threat detection, and expert response your business needs to stay secure. MDR complements EDR and other security layers, offering comprehensive protection across your entire network, cloud environments, and devices—giving you peace of mind that your systems are safeguarded against today’s most advanced cyber threats.

3. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

What is MFA?

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) adds an essential layer of security by requiring users to verify their identity through more than just a password. It typically involves a second step, such as entering a one-time code sent to your phone, using an authentication app, or even biometrics like fingerprints. This additional factor ensures that even if a password is compromised, unauthorized users can’t access your systems.

Why MFA matters for your business’s cybersecurity strategy

Passwords remain the weakest link in many security systems. Hackers can steal, guess, or purchase leaked credentials from the dark web. In 2024, phishing attacks accounted for nearly 80% of data breaches, many of which exploited weak or reused passwords​. MFA adds a critical safeguard by making it much harder for cybercriminals to break into your systems, even if they manage to steal login credentials.

A high-profile example occurred in 2023, when a Russian-aligned group exploited the lack of MFA on a legacy Microsoft account, accessing sensitive executive emails. This breach highlighted how important MFA is, especially for businesses with many employees and accounts​. Without MFA, you leave the door wide open to attacks that exploit stolen credentials.

How MFA works with other security solutions like EDR and MDR

MFA alone provides a significant layer of protection, but it works even better when combined with other cybersecurity tools such as Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) and Managed Detection and Response (MDR). Here’s why:

Credential Protection + Activity Monitoring: MFA reduces the risk of unauthorized access from compromised credentials, while EDR monitors devices for unusual activity. For example, even if a hacker somehow bypasses MFA, EDR will detect abnormal behaviors like unusual file downloads or system changes, triggering an alert before serious damage can occur.

Proactive Threat Hunting: MDR adds another layer of security by actively hunting for threats across your network, cloud services, and applications. If someone attempts to breach your system by exploiting weak passwords, MDR ensures that threats are detected early, while MFA helps prevent unauthorized access altogether.

Enhanced Security for Remote Work: As more employees work remotely, MFA provides secure access to cloud platforms like Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace. Combined with MDR, which continuously monitors cloud environments for suspicious activity, your business enjoys comprehensive protection from login to overall system health.

The benefit of implementing MFA through Wolf Consulting

By partnering with Wolf Consulting, businesses gain access to expert guidance on implementing MFA across all systems, ensuring smooth deployment and integration with other cybersecurity solutions like EDR and MDR. Here’s how MFA strengthens your overall defense:

Stronger security against credential theft: Even if passwords are compromised, MFA blocks unauthorized access, while MDR and EDR monitor for any suspicious activity.

Seamless implementation: Wolf Consulting ensures that MFA is rolled out smoothly across your entire organization, even for legacy systems that might otherwise be overlooked. This comprehensive setup is key to ensuring your employees can securely access systems from anywhere.

Prevention of costly breaches: As seen with the Microsoft breach, missing MFA can lead to significant security incidents. By implementing MFA across all accounts, you drastically reduce the risk of such breaches, while MDR and EDR provide real-time detection and response, ensuring that any threats are contained quickly.

The bottom line

MFA is one of the simplest and most effective ways to secure your business from credential-based cyberattacks. However, its true power is unlocked when used alongside advanced solutions like EDR and MDR, which monitor user activity and detect more sophisticated threats. By partnering with Wolf Consulting, you get seamless MFA integration that works in harmony with a broader cybersecurity strategy—ensuring your business is protected on every front.

4. Security Awareness Training

What is Security Awareness Training?

Security Awareness Training teaches employees how to recognize and avoid common cyber threats like phishing emails, malicious links, and social engineering scams. It includes simulations and continuous education to keep employees alert to evolving dangers.

As Clifford Laschon, vCTO of Wolf Consulting, notes: “Our training ensures that employees are consistently aware of evolving threats, making them a stronger line of defense for your business.”

Why does Security Awareness Training matter?

Your employees are often the first—and weakest—line of defense in a cyberattack. In 2024, phishing attacks surged by 58.2% with increasingly sophisticated, AI-driven tactics that can easily fool untrained staff. Nearly 79% of account takeovers stem from phishing emails, making your team’s ability to spot these threats crucial to your overall cybersecurity posture. Without proper training, one wrong click can open the door to costly breaches.

Businesses that implement security awareness training significantly reduce their vulnerability to attacks. In fact, companies that consistently train their staff saw a drop in phishing click rates from 34.3% to just 4.6%, compared to businesses without ongoing training that remain highly susceptible . This shows just how important it is for employees to be prepared for real-world cyber threats.

The benefit for your business

Wolf Consulting provides hands-on training and phishing simulations, giving your employees the knowledge they need to act as the first line of defense. Here’s how Security Awareness Training helps protect your business:

Phishing Protection: Trained employees are far less likely to fall for phishing scams, which reduces your risk of breaches. With the majority of data breaches starting from a phishing email, this training is critical to your overall security.

Simulated Phishing Tests: We run realistic phishing tests to assess how well your employees can detect threats. This allows us to identify gaps in knowledge and target additional training where necessary.

Building a Culture of Security: Security becomes a shared responsibility. When your employees are educated and engaged in protecting the business, it creates a proactive security culture where everyone plays a role in keeping your data safe.

Why Security Awareness Training is essential

Without this training, your employees could unknowingly expose your business to cyberattacks. But with Wolf Consulting’s tailored approach, they become your first defense against the most common forms of attack. Whether it’s spotting phishing emails or avoiding social engineering scams, trained employees dramatically reduce the chances of a breach. And, while EDR monitors devices for any malicious activity—like malware after a phishing click—your best defense is preventing that click from happening in the first place.

5. Incident Response Plan

What is an Incident Response Plan (IRP)?

An Incident Response Plan (IRP) is a structured, step-by-step guide outlining how your business should react to a cyberattack. It details procedures for detecting and containing a breach, communicating with stakeholders, and restoring operations. Wolf Consulting customizes these strategies to minimize damage and reduce downtime.

Why it matters

No business is immune to cyberattacks, and the speed of response determines how much damage is done. In 2024, the average time to detect and contain a data breach was 277 days. What an astonishing stat! Without a well-executed IRP, that delay can cost businesses millions, not just in data loss but in operational downtime and reputational harm.

Clifford Laschon, vCTO at Wolf Consulting, emphasizes: “We’ve seen firsthand how a well-executed incident response can be the difference between a minor disruption and a major crisis. Without a plan, businesses risk far more than just data loss—they risk their reputation and financial stability.”

Why EDR/MDR/MFA aren’t enough

While tools like Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) and Managed Detection and Response (MDR) are excellent at spotting threats in real-time, and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) secures logins, these defenses alone cannot prevent all breaches. Cybercriminals can still find ways to exploit gaps—whether through zero-day attacks, credential theft, or phishing. An IRP ensures that when something slips past your defenses, your team is ready to act swiftly to contain the damage.

The benefit for your business

Partnering with Wolf Consulting for a comprehensive IRP provides these critical benefits:

Faster response to attacks: Companies with a robust IRP save an average of $1.39 million in costs by containing breaches quickly. Having a plan in place reduces the mean time to detect (MTTD) and respond to threats, limiting data loss and financial impact.

Minimized downtime: A swift response helps limit operational disruption. For instance, OmniVision, hit by a ransomware attack in 2023, suffered weeks of downtime. With Wolf Consulting’s IRP, your business is equipped to contain breaches early and maintain business continuity.

Clear communication during a crisis: An IRP outlines how to communicate with employees, clients, and stakeholders during an attack, ensuring a clear, professional response that protects your brand’s reputation.

The bottom line

Cyberattacks are inevitable, but the damage they cause doesn’t have to be. A well-developed Incident Response Plan from Wolf Consulting ensures your business can quickly detect, contain, and recover from breaches. By minimizing downtime and protecting your reputation, an IRP is essential to your overall cybersecurity strategy.

Conclusion

In 2025, cybersecurity is an absolute must for every small and medium-sized business. The five strategies outlined above—MDR, EDR, MFA, Security Awareness Training, and a comprehensive Incident Response Plan (IRP)—are critical for protecting your business against the growing complexity and severity of cyber threats.

Implementing these tools ensures that your business can detect and respond to cyberattacks in real time and prevent them from happening in the first place. More importantly, they work best when integrated into a cohesive plan, ensuring that even when something slips through, your business is ready to respond swiftly and minimize damage.

Partnering with a trusted cybersecurity provider like Wolf Consulting gives you the peace of mind that these vital components are expertly managed and tailored to your business needs. By building a proactive cybersecurity strategy today, you protect your business’s future—safeguarding your data, reputation, and operations.

Need help implementing these strategies? Contact Wolf Consulting today to build a customized cybersecurity plan that fits your business’s needs.