{"id":17900,"date":"2026-01-28T11:15:54","date_gmt":"2026-01-28T16:15:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gtm.com\/business\/?p=17900"},"modified":"2026-04-01T13:18:24","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T17:18:24","slug":"cybersecurity-resolutions-business","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gtm.com\/business\/cybersecurity-resolutions-business\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Cybersecurity Resolutions to Commit to This Year"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-17902\" src=\"https:\/\/gtm.com\/business\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/pexels-shkrabaanthony-5475793-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"cybersecurity resolutions business\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gtm.com\/business\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/pexels-shkrabaanthony-5475793-980x653.jpg 980w, https:\/\/gtm.com\/business\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/pexels-shkrabaanthony-5475793-480x320.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw\" \/><\/em><\/p>\n<p><audio controls><source src=\"https:\/\/gtm.com\/business\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/5-Cybersecurity-Resolutions-to-Commit-to-This-Year.mp3\" type=\"audio\/mpeg\">Your browser does not support the audio element.<\/audio><\/p>\n<p><em>As we all know, New Year&#8217;s resolutions only work if you stick to them and don&#8217;t give up on them in February. The same philosophy applies to cybersecurity and your business. It&#8217;s fine to put procedures in place, but unless you are diligent in maintaining and adjusting your cybersecurity policies throughout the year, issues can arise. Our cybersecurity partner, <a href=\"https:\/\/orbitalfire.com\/2025\/12\/26\/cybersecurity-resolutions-for-small-businesses\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">OrbitalFire<\/a>, offers this look at five resolutions to follow that will help ensure your security practices stay current and keep you protected.<\/em><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wvc-mobile-text-align- wvc-text-color-default\" data-heading-text=\"READ: Cybersecurity Resolutions That Actually Stick (and the Ones That Don\u2019t)\" data-max-font-size=\"48\" data-min-font-size=\"24\">Cybersecurity Resolutions That Actually Stick (and the Ones That Don\u2019t)<\/h2>\n<p class=\"\">January is prime season for resolutions. Eat better. Exercise more. Finally, \u201cget serious\u201d about cybersecurity.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">And by February? Most of those resolutions are quietly forgotten.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">Cybersecurity resolutions for small businesses fail for the same reason most business resolutions do: they\u2019re vague, overly technical, or disconnected from how smaller businesses actually operate. This year, instead of aiming for perfection, aim for progress that sticks.<\/p>\n<p>This article focuses on the cybersecurity resolutions that\u00a0<em>actually stick<\/em>\u00a0because they change behavior, not just tools.<\/p>\n<h3>Resolution #1: Who Should Own Cybersecurity in a Small Business?<\/h3>\n<p class=\"\"><strong>Someone has to own cybersecurity, even if it\u2019s not their only job.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"\">In many smaller businesses, cybersecurity lives in limbo between IT, operations, and leadership. A resolution that sticks is clearly assigning accountability for:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"\">\n<li>Risk decisions<\/li>\n<li>Policy updates<\/li>\n<li>Vendor security questions<\/li>\n<li><a class=\"internal-link\" title=\"Cybersecurity Incident Response\" href=\"https:\/\/orbitalfire.com\/pages\/incident_response_services\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Incident Response<\/a> Coordination<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"\">Ownership doesn\u2019t mean doing the cybersecurity tasks or even creating the strategy. It means finding someone who can ensure the visibility, authority, and follow-through needed to make it happen.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">For more on creating cybersecurity accountability in your organization, read:\u00a0<a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/orbitalfire.com\/2025\/05\/30\/cybersecurity-accountability\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Why Cybersecurity Accountability for Small Businesses Starts with One Name<\/a><\/p>\n<h3>Resolution #2: How Often Should Employees Be Trained on Cybersecurity?<\/h3>\n<p class=\"\">Annual training checks a box. It doesn\u2019t build instincts.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\"><strong>What works better?<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"\">\n<li>Short, recurring<a class=\"internal-link\" title=\"Awareness Training\" href=\"https:\/\/orbitalfire.com\/pages\/awareness_training_services\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a0AwarenessTraining\u00a0\u00a0<\/a>reminders<\/li>\n<li>Real-world examples employees recognize<\/li>\n<li>Regular\u00a0<a class=\"internal-link\" title=\"Phishing Testing\" href=\"https:\/\/orbitalfire.com\/pages\/phishing_testing_services\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Phishing Simulations<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Cybercriminals don\u2019t attack once a year. Awareness shouldn\u2019t either.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">For more on Awareness Training, read: <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/orbitalfire.com\/2025\/05\/30\/the-cost-of-skipping-awareness-training\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Real Cost of Skipping Awareness Training<\/a><\/p>\n<h3>Resolution #3: Should Small Businesses Review Third-Party Risk in Cybersecurity?<\/h3>\n<p class=\"\">Yes, and more often than they think.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">Most small businesses vet employees carefully but rarely question\u00a0<a class=\"internal-link\" title=\"Third-Party Risk Management\" href=\"https:\/\/orbitalfire.com\/pages\/third-party_risk_management\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">vendors, contractors, or partners<\/a>. Yet they all often have access to systems, data, or credentials.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">A resolution that sticks is committing to basic vendor verification:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"\">\n<li>What data do they access?<\/li>\n<li>How do they protect it?<\/li>\n<li>Who is responsible if something goes wrong?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"\">You don\u2019t need a long questionnaire. You need clarity around Third-Party Risk Management.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">For more on Third-Party Risk, watch: <a href=\"https:\/\/orbitalfire.com\/2025\/12\/26\/cybersecurity-resolutions-for-small-businesses\/youtube.com\/watch?v=VOLsqx2FhBA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Good Fences Make Good Neighbors: Managing Third-Party Cybersecurity Risk<\/a><\/p>\n<h3>Resolution #4: Why Is Incident Response Planning Important for Small Businesses?<\/h3>\n<p class=\"\">Because the worst time to figure out what to do is during an incident.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">An incident response plan doesn\u2019t need to be perfect, but it should be a living document that continues to be updated and practiced. Even one\u00a0<a class=\"internal-link\" title=\"Cybersecurity Incident Response Tabletop\" href=\"https:\/\/orbitalfire.com\/pages\/incident_response_tabletop\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Incident Response Tabletop<\/a>\u00a0exercise can uncover:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"\">\n<li>Confusion around decision-making<\/li>\n<li>Missing contacts<\/li>\n<li>Gaps in escalation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"\">Prepared teams respond faster and limit damage.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">Learn More about Incident Response Planning, read:\u00a0<a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/orbitalfire.com\/2025\/01\/27\/incident-response-plan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Crisis-Proof Your Organization: Build an Incident Response Plan That Works<\/a><\/p>\n<h3>Resolution #5: How Should Cybersecurity Align with Business Goals?<\/h3>\n<p>Cybersecurity that fights the business doesn\u2019t last.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">If you\u2019re expanding, hiring, working with new vendors, or meeting compliance requirements, your cybersecurity strategy needs to support and adapt to those moves.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">The most effective resolutions connect cybersecurity to:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"\">\n<li>Revenue protection<\/li>\n<li>Customer trust<\/li>\n<li>Compliance readiness<\/li>\n<li>Business continuity<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"\">When security aligns with the mission, it stops feeling like friction.<\/p>\n<h2>What Is the Most Important Cybersecurity Resolution for Small Businesses?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"\">Stop assuming your MSP is handling cybersecurity.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">This is one of the most important and most overlooked resolutions smaller businesses can make.<\/p>\n<h3>Is an MSP enough for cybersecurity?<\/h3>\n<p class=\"\">In most cases, no.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">Managed Service Providers (MSPs) are excellent at keeping systems running; email stays up, laptops work, and networks stay connected. But cybersecurity is not the same thing as IT support. It requires a different focus, different tools, and different accountability.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">Most MSPs:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"\">\n<li>Prioritize uptime and availability, not risk management<\/li>\n<li>Respond to issues rather than planning for incidents<\/li>\n<li>Are not responsible for compliance, audits, or regulatory outcomes<\/li>\n<li>Are not structured to provide ongoing security oversight or governance<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"\">That gap often goes unnoticed until something goes wrong, or until a customer, insurer, or regulator starts asking hard questions.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">For smaller businesses, the resolution that actually sticks is recognizing this early and deciding who truly owns cybersecurity oversight. That might mean clearly separating IT responsibilities from security responsibilities or bringing in a dedicated cybersecurity partner to fill the gap MSPs aren\u2019t designed to cover.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">At\u00a0<a class=\"internal-link\" title=\"Contact Us #2\" href=\"https:\/\/orbitalfire.com\/pages\/contact\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">OrbitalFire<\/a>, we specialize in cybersecurity for small and medium-sized businesses. We work alongside MSPs, not against them, providing the security leadership, planning, and execution they aren\u2019t built to deliver.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">We protect you from cybercrime, audits, regulations, and yourself by doing the hard work and keeping cybersecurity practical.<\/p>\n<h2>Start the Year with Progress, Not Promises<\/h2>\n<p class=\"\">Cybersecurity resolutions don\u2019t need to be dramatic. They need to be realistic, owned, and repeatable.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">If you want help turning good intentions into security habits that actually stick, <a href=\"https:\/\/orbitalfire.com\/pages\/contact\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">join\u00a0our Orbit<\/a>. We\u2019ll help you build cybersecurity that fits your business and lasts well beyond January.<\/p>\n<h2>GTM\u2019s Cybersecurity Practices<\/h2>\n<p>Security is integral to our operations. It\u2019s at the core of what we do with multiple layers of protection embedded into our products, processes, and infrastructure.<\/p>\n<p>Our\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/gtm.com\/business\/why-gtm\/data-security\/\">state-of-the-art security measures<\/a>\u00a0are designed to safeguard your data from unauthorized access and cyber threats. We employ a robust combination of physical, administrative, and technical controls, including advanced encryption technologies, continuous network monitoring, and strict access controls, ensuring your data is protected around the clock.<\/p>\n<p>GTM undergoes annual security assessments conducted by the New York State Department of Financial Services and adheres to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) cybersecurity standards. GTM also undergoes several third-party audits, including SOC 1, Nacha, and financial statement audits.<\/p>\n<h3>Cyber and Data Breach Liability Insurance<\/h3>\n<p>As an additional security measure, cyber and data breach liability insurance is available to cover costs in the event of a cyberattack or data breach. A cyber liability and data breach insurance policy can help if your business\u2019s computers are infected with a virus that exposes private or sensitive information, your business is sued for losing customers\u2019 sensitive data, or your business incurs public relations costs to protect its reputation after a data breach.<\/p>\n<p>If you are interested in cyber and data breach insurance, the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/gtminsurance.com\/business-insurance\/cyber-data-breach-liability\/\">GTM Insurance Agency<\/a>\u00a0can discuss your options.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/gtminsurance.com\/contact-us\/\">Contact them<\/a>\u00a0for a free quote or more information.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Discover cybersecurity resolutions for your business that\u00a0actually stick\u00a0because they change behavior, not just tools.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[232],"tags":[287,104,42,10],"post_folder":[],"class_list":["post-17900","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-gtm-biz-blog-isolved","tag-cybersecurity","tag-data-security","tag-safety","tag-small-business"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gtm.com\/business\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17900","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gtm.com\/business\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gtm.com\/business\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gtm.com\/business\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gtm.com\/business\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17900"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/gtm.com\/business\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17900\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18292,"href":"https:\/\/gtm.com\/business\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17900\/revisions\/18292"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gtm.com\/business\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17900"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gtm.com\/business\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17900"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gtm.com\/business\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17900"},{"taxonomy":"post_folder","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gtm.com\/business\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post_folder?post=17900"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}