BD Emerson

Cyber hygiene is often the make-or-break factor for startups. ? Many startups focus on growth at all costs, leaving security as an afterthought. Until a breach happens. The good news? Basic cyber hygiene can prevent 90% of attacks. Last time, we talked about the stark reality of small business breaches. This time we give you the steps to ensure the baseline security available even on a tight budget. Here’s how you can build security into your startup’s DNA without breaking the bank: ? Use strong, unique passwords? ? Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA)? ? Regular security awareness training ? Automate patching? ? Secure Wi-Fi networks ? Back up data regularly? ? Restrict administrative privileges If your business is scaling fast, so are your security risks. What steps are you taking to harden your defenses? #CyberHygiene #StartupSecurity #BusinessResilience #DataProtection

Small businesses drive innovation, power local economies, and employ the majority of our workforce, yet they remain prime targets for cybercriminals. In 2023 alone, 43% of cyberattacks were aimed at SMBs. 60% of small businesses that experience a cyberattack close their doors within six months. These attacks can cost an average of $254,000 – and that’s before factoring in legal fees, reputational damage, and lost customers. These are just some of the facts from our latest collection of small business cybersecurity statistics: https://lnkd.in/dtuF3GJe Why are small businesses so vulnerable? Limited IT resources, lack of cybersecurity expertise and smaller budgets often mean weaker defenses, making them an appealing target for hackers. Add in the rise of remote work, personal device use and AI-driven threats, and it becomes clear that cybersecurity is no longer optional. It’s essential. ?? Here’s the good news: by investing in security awareness, comprehensive training, and fundamental tools (like firewalls, antivirus software, VPNs, and MFA), SMBs can drastically reduce their risk. However, many don’t know where to start. Partnering with a trusted security services provider means expert protection without the hassle. BD Emerson guides small businesses every step of the way to strengthen their defenses and protect what they’ve worked so hard to build. Don’t wait for a cyberattack to wake you up – get ahead of the threats now.

SaaS providers: are you losing deals without even knowing it? Imagine this:? A fast-growing SaaS company is in the final stages of closing a six-figure contract with a major healthcare provider. The client loves the product, the pricing is aligned, and the onboarding plan is set. Then comes the security review. “Do you have SOC 2 or HIPAA compliance?” Silence. No certification. No deal. ? This isn’t just a hypothetical scenario, it happens every day. Large enterprises, financial institutions, and healthcare organizations won’t even consider a SaaS provider that isn’t certified. Without SOC 2, ISO 27001, or HIPAA, you’re not just at risk– you’re invisible. Why certifications are no longer optional: ? Enterprise clients require them–no security, no contract. ? They build trust faster, cutting down sales cycles. ? They future-proof your business. Compliance today = market dominance tomorrow. If you're serious about scaling, your security posture has to be as strong as your product. Don’t let compliance be the reason you lose your next big client. Get our roundup of SaaS security certifications and how to get started on them in this guide: https://lnkd.in/dK_KZRbH How are you handling security compliance in your SaaS business? Let’s talk. ?? #SaaS #Cybersecurity #SOC2 #ISO27001 #HIPAA #Compliance #Trust #Growth

Insider breaches: villains or victims? When we hear about insider breaches, the narrative often paints employees as careless, or worse, malicious. But in reality, most insider threats aren’t acts of betrayal. They’re acts of exploitation. Take the case of Twitter’s (now X) 2020 breach. Attackers didn’t brute-force their way in. They socially engineered employees, gaining access to internal tools that let them hijack high-profile accounts. A moment of misplaced trust and a well-crafted phishing attempt–that’s all it took. Or consider the MGM Resorts breach in 2023. Help desk employees were manipulated over the phone by attackers impersonating a colleague. That conversation led to a multi-million dollar ransomware attack. These incidents reveal a harsh truth: When employees lack security awareness, they become victims themselves. So, how do we change the narrative? ? Empathy over blame: Instead of vilifying employees, empower them. ? Education over expectation: A one-time training isn’t enough. Security awareness should be continuous. ? Protection over punishment: Layered security controls should assume mistakes will happen. The goal is to make them non-fatal. At BD Emerson, we believe cybersecurity isn’t just about defending against threats but about protecting people. Because when employees are educated, equipped and supported, they become your first line of defense. Let’s talk about protecting your business from insider breaches, holistically: https://lnkd.in/dFpZiSb4? What’s your take? How can companies better support employees in preventing insider breaches?

ISO 27001 compliance doesn’t end at certification. Here’s what comes next. Passing your Stage 2 Audit and earning your ISO 27001 certification is a major achievement, but the work isn’t over. To maintain your certification, you’ll need to complete annual surveillance audits and a recertification audit every three years. If your ISMS isn’t continuously monitored and improved, you risk falling out of compliance, or worse, leaving security vulnerabilities unchecked. Here’s the list of steps to take to stay prepared year-round, according to our free guide on implementing ISO 27001 you can get here: https://lnkd.in/dZW9bG3F 1?? Maintain a security-first culture. Security policies and risk management shouldn’t be an afterthought. 2?? Keep your risk assessments up to date. Threats evolve, and so should your ISMS. 3?? Review & update documentation continuously, keeping records of security incidents, risk treatment plans and audit findings. 4?? Clearly define & monitor ISMS scope, ensuring all relevant assets, processes and departments remain within your ISMS scope. 5?? Conduct internal audits before the auditor arrives. Keep an audit-ready mindset by running mock audits at least once per year. 6?? Be ready to answer auditor questions. Your key employees should also be able to explain how they apply security policies and controls in daily operations. Avoid compliance complacency. BD Emerson is here to guide you every step of the way. Get in touch to see how you can make it smoothly to your ISO 27001 certification audit and beyond it. What’s your biggest challenge in maintaining ISO 27001 compliance?

ISO 27001 Stage 2 Audit will be your final step to certification, with one more step reserved for post-certification surveillance audits (watch out for the next post on it this Thursday). If the Stage 1 Audit was about documentation, the Stage 2 Audit is where your ISMS is truly put to the test. During the Stage 2 Audit, an accredited external auditor will conduct a site assessment, evaluate your risk management, and collect evidence. If you fail to demonstrate that your ISMS is operational and effective, you won’t be certified. How to know you’re ready for Stage 2? To pass, you must be able to prove that your ISMS is fully implemented. This means: 1?? Risk management is documented & actionable? 2?? Asset management is comprehensive 3?? Incident response is fully functional? 4?? Access controls are in place? 5?? Personnel are trained & aware 6?? Internal audits & reviews are complete Check out these reasons for why you might fail your ISO 27001 audit: ? Weak or missing evidence of control implementation ? Poor employee awareness of security policies ? Inconsistent risk management practices ? Lack of incident response drills or real-world testing ? Failure to correct findings from the Stage 1 Audit To ensure smooth sailing during your Stage 2, see if you’ve: ? Performed a final internal audit – check ? Organized & centralized documentation – check ? Prepared key stakeholders for interviews – check ? Demonstrated controls in action – check ? Stayed transparent & proactive – check Take the time to validate, test and refine your ISMS before the audit, and you’ll be set up for success . For a detailed, step-by-step guide to preparing for the ISO 27001 certification audit, check out our ISO 27001 Implementation Guide: https://lnkd.in/dZW9bG3F What’s been the toughest part of your ISO 27001 journey? Drop a comment below.

Stage 1 Audit and readiness assessment is your step 8/10 to achieving ISO 27001 attestation. What happens in the Stage 1 Audit? An external ISO 27001 auditor will review your policies, procedures and ISMS documentation to ensure they align with the standard. This includes: ? Information security policies and objectives ? ISMS scope and Statement of Applicability (SoA) ? Risk assessment and treatment methodology ? Defined security controls and evidence of implementation ? Compliance with legal and regulatory requirements The auditor’s goal is to assess whether your ISMS is well-documented and ready for the full Stage 2 certification audit. If they find major gaps, you’ll need to fix them before moving forward. Here are common pitfalls that typically cause delays: ? Missing or incomplete documentation (policies, risk treatment plans, SoA) ? Undefined ISMS scope or unclear security objectives ? Weak management support or lack of ISMS awareness in leadership ? Failure to conduct internal audits before the Stage 1 assessment ? Inadequate evidence of security control implementation ? Vendor security gaps or missing compliance evidence from third parties The Stage 1 Audit is the first real test of your ISO 27001 readiness. If your documentation isn’t complete or your team isn’t prepared, the auditor can delay or even halt the certification process, which means wasted time and money. But don’t fret. If you passed all the previous stages of your ISO 27001 implementation, you should be all set for a successful Stage 1 Audit. Check these stages in our free guide: https://lnkd.in/dZW9bG3F What’s been your biggest challenge in preparing for an audit? Share your experience in the comments.

Building out ISMS and governance policies is your step 7/10 of implementing ISO 27001. Many businesses see ISO 27001 policies as just paperwork, but in reality they’re the backbone of your entire security strategy. Without them, your ISMS won’t function effectively, compliance will be a struggle, and security gaps will go unnoticed. The good news? You don’t need to overcomplicate it. Here’s how to build policies that work, according to our free guide to ISO 27001 implementation you can read here: https://lnkd.in/dZW9bG3F 1?? Sync policies with business goals Security policies should protect data without creating unnecessary friction in daily operations. Make them flexible enough to support business productivity while maintaining strong security. 2?? Define clear roles and responsibilities Assign specific people to own policies and oversee enforcement. Without accountability, policies quickly become ignored. 3?? Align policies with compliance & legal requirements Map policies to ISO 27001 controls, GDPR, HIPAA, and any industry regulations you must follow. This ensures you meet both legal and security requirements. 4?? Make policies accessible & easy to understand Complex policies don’t get followed. Store them in a centralized, easily accessible repository and communicate updates clearly to employees. 5?? Keep policies up to date Security threats evolve, and so should your policies. Set a review schedule (at least annually) and update policies based on business changes, audits or new regulations. 6?? Train employees on policy requirements Policies only work if employees follow them. Offer security awareness training and require policy acknowledgments to reinforce compliance. Your ISO 27001 policies are the foundation of your company’s security, compliance and risk management. A strong, well-maintained policy framework will: ? Simplify audits and certification ? Reduce security risks and human errors ? Improve client and stakeholder trust What’s been your biggest challenge in developing security policies?

Implementing core ITGCs cost-effectively is your step 6/10 in achieving ISO 27001 compliance. Too often, companies overspend on unnecessary tools or overlook critical gaps in their IT security framework. The key to success? A strategic, risk-based approach to Information Technology General Controls (ITGCs) as outlined in our free guide on ISO 27001 implementation you can find here: https://lnkd.in/dZW9bG3F ITGCs are the foundational security controls that ensure your IT systems and data remain protected, compliant and resilient. They include: - Access controls - Change management? - Data backup & recovery - System monitoring & incident response? - Physical security Here’s how to implement core ITGCs cost-effectively: 1?? Leverage existing tools Many IT systems already include built-in security features. Before investing in new solutions, maximize what you have. 2?? Prioritize based on risk Not every security control is equally urgent. Focus on the biggest vulnerabilities first, such as weak access management or lack of backups. 3?? Automate where possible Reduce manual oversight by using automation for user access controls, compliance monitoring and system alerts. Shoutout to our partners Vanta, Unbound Security (YC S24) & Autharva, Inc. here. 4?? Use cloud-based security solutions Cloud providers like AWS and Microsoft Azure offer enterprise-level security features without the cost of in-house infrastructure. 5?? Adopt a phased approach Implement the most essential controls first, then expand over time based on business needs and available resources. 6?? Engage experts early Working with security consultants or auditors before an external audit can save significant time and money, ensuring compliance from the start. ISO 27001 compliance does not have to be expensive, but it does need to be strategic. Focus on risk-driven priorities, automation and cloud-based solutions to achieve strong security without unnecessary costs. What’s your biggest challenge in setting up IT security controls?

Creating your Statement of Applicability (SOA) is your step 5/10 in implementing ISO 27001. If you’re working on ISO 27001 certification, SOA is one of the most important documents you’ll create. This document explains which security controls your company is using, which ones it’s not and why. Think of it as your security game plan: it shows auditors, leadership and your team how you’re protecting sensitive information and managing risks. Before filling out your SOA, you first need to: ? Identify risks to your company’s data and systems ? Decide how to handle those risks, whether that’s strengthening passwords, limiting access to sensitive files or improving network security ? Review the 93 security controls in ISO 27001 and pick the ones that match your risks and business needs Then follow these steps to set up your SOA: 1?? Select the relevant security controls 2?? Map risks to controls 3?? Justify exclusions 4?? Keep your SOA updated The SOA isn’t just paperwork. A well-documented SoA helps you: ? Stay on track with security improvements ? Prove to auditors that you’re managing risks properly ? Give leadership a clear picture of what’s being done to protect business data Need a step-by-step guide to creating your Statement of Applicability? Our security experts have put together the ISO 27001 Implementation Guide to walk you through the process. Read the full guide here: https://lnkd.in/dZW9bG3F