The New Year is the perfect time to stop “just getting by” with technology and finally make it work for your business.
If you run a shop in Chillicothe, a clinic in Brookfield, a small office in St. Joseph, or a service business anywhere in North or Central Missouri, your computers, Wi‑Fi, and data are now as important as your front door. Yet most small businesses still run with a mix of aging PCs, handwritten passwords, and “call the IT friend” support.
Meanwhile:
- Around 46% of small businesses were hit by a cyberattack in 2025, with average losses around $120,000 per incident, and about 60% close within six months after a major attack.[1]
- Studies show nearly 43% of cyber attacks target small businesses, yet only 14% feel prepared.[2]
- A recent SBA brief reports 41% of small businesses experienced a cyberattack in 2023, with a median direct cost of $8,300 (not counting downtime or reputation damage).[3]
In other words: staying “good enough” with IT is getting expensive.
Below are six practical New Year’s tech resolutions tailored for Missouri SMBs that want fewer tech headaches, stronger security, and more predictable IT costs. We’ll keep it plain-English, and every resolution includes concrete steps you can act on this quarter.
Resolution #1: Make Passwords and MFA Your First Line of Defense
Weak, reused passwords are still the easiest way into a small business. Reports show stolen or weak passwords drive a majority of hacking-related breaches, and enabling Multi‑Factor Authentication (MFA) can block over 99% of automated account attacks.[2][4]
What this means for a Missouri SMB
If your staff is still using variations of “BusinessName2024” for everything, you are one phishing email away from a very bad week.
Action plan for Q1
- Adopt a password manager for the team
- Pick a reputable business password manager and roll it out to everyone with a company email address.
- Require unique, long passwords (12+ characters) for all business logins.
- Turn on MFA everywhere it’s offered
- Start with email (Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace), banking, line-of-business apps, and any remote access tools.
- Prefer app-based MFA (Authenticator app) or hardware keys over SMS when possible, but any MFA is massively better than none.
- Kill shared email logins
- Replace generic shared accounts like frontdesk@ with individual logins and delegate access if needed.
- This makes it easier to revoke access when staff changes and improves your audit trail.
- Change default logins on routers, cameras, and other devices
- Log into your router and network devices and change the factory default admin username/password.
- Use strong passwords and store them in your password manager.
Pro Insight: Many Missouri SMBs still rely on one “master password” for everything from QuickBooks to email. Fixing this is one of the highest‑ROI security moves you can make this year.
Resolution #2: Get Serious About Updates, Patching, and Wi‑Fi Security
Cybercriminals love unpatched systems. Industry reports show a large share of breaches stem from known vulnerabilities that were left unpatched for months.[5] The 2024–2025 data continues to show unpatched software and outdated operating systems as a top root cause of small business incidents.[2]
Why this matters in everyday terms
- That old Windows PC still running an outdated OS in your back office? It might be the easiest way into your network.
- That cheap router you bought five years ago and never updated? Attackers scan the internet for those every day.
Action plan for Q1
- Standardize your devices
- Make a short inventory: which PCs, laptops, tablets, and servers do you actually use?
- Note anything older than 5–6 years or stuck on an unsupported OS (like old Windows versions). Flag them for replacement.
- Turn on automatic updates where possible
- Enable auto-updates for:
- Windows / macOS
- Web browsers (Chrome, Edge, Firefox)
- Office suites
- Security tools
- Schedule reboots after hours so staff isn’t interrupted.
- Enable auto-updates for:
- Secure your Wi‑Fi properly
- Use WPA2 or WPA3 encryption (never WEP or “open” Wi‑Fi).
- Set a strong Wi‑Fi password, not the one printed on the sticker from 2018.
- Create a guest network for visitors that’s logically separated from your internal systems.
- Plan for automated patch management
Resolution #3: Build a Backup and Recovery Plan You Actually Trust
Ransomware and accidental deletion remain brutal for small businesses. Multiple studies show that 60% of small companies shut down within six months of a major cyber incident or data loss event.[1]
Backups are your “get out of jail (almost) free” card—but only if they’re recent, secure, and tested.
Action plan for Q1
- Decide what absolutely must never be lost
- Financials and accounting data
- Client/patient records
- Project files, contracts, legal docs
- Critical line-of-business databases
- Follow a simple version of the 3‑2‑1 rule
- 3 copies of important data
- 2 different types of storage (e.g., local NAS + cloud)
- 1 copy off-site (cloud backup or physically separate drive)
- Automate your backups
- Use reputable cloud backup for servers and key workstations.
- For smaller shops, at least schedule daily backups to:
- A network drive or NAS, and
- A cloud service that keeps version history.
- Test your restores, not just your backups
- Once a quarter, pick a file or folder and do a full restore test.
- Document how long it takes to restore and who knows the process.
- Protect backups from ransomware
- Ensure backups are stored in a way that ransomware on one PC can’t easily encrypt them (for example, immutable cloud backups or offline copies).
- Do not leave backup drives permanently plugged into the same machine.
Resolution #4: Turn Your Team into a Security Asset, Not a Liability
Up to 88–95% of breaches involve some form of human error, often starting with a convincing phishing email.[8][2] Attackers know that a tired office manager on a Friday afternoon is more likely to click a fake invoice.
Action plan for Q1–Q2
- Do a 30-minute cyber awareness session
- Walk staff through:
- What phishing emails look like
- How to hover over links before clicking
- Why they should never share passwords over email or text
- Use a few real-world examples (screenshots with names blurred).
- Walk staff through:
- Create a “no‑blame” reporting culture
- Make it clear: “If you click something weird, tell us immediately. You will not get in trouble.”
- The sooner someone reports, the easier it is to contain.
- Post a simple “If you see this, do that” cheat sheet
- Example items:
- Suspicious email → Don’t click, forward to IT or your MSP
- Strange pop‑ups → Unplug from network, call support
- Lost laptop or phone → Report immediately so access can be revoked
- Example items:
- Layer in simple technical protections
- Email filtering (to catch obvious junk)
- Basic web filtering (to block known malicious sites)
- Endpoint protection with behavioral detection, not just legacy antivirus
Local angle: For Missouri clinics, schools, and city offices, this kind of training also supports HIPAA, FERPA, and other compliance expectations, which increasingly expect a documented security awareness program.[9]
Resolution #5: Stop “Break–Fix” and Move Toward Proactive Managed IT
The traditional IT model for many SMBs is: “Only call the IT person when something breaks.” That feels cheaper—until you factor in:
- Staff sitting idle while the POS system is down
- Overtime for emergency fixes
- Lost sales during outages
- Rush shipping on replacement hardware
- The mental load on whoever is the unofficial “IT person”
Industry and MSP surveys consistently show that proactive managed IT can dramatically reduce downtime—some reports estimate up to an 85% reduction in unplanned outages when monitoring and maintenance are in place.[10]
Action plan for this year
- Calculate what downtime actually costs you
- Audit your current IT approach
- Who is responsible for:
- Updates and patching
- Backups and test restores
- Security stack (firewall, AV, MFA, monitoring)
- Vendor coordination (internet, line-of-business apps, etc.)
- If the answer is “some combination of the owner and the accountant,” you’ve outgrown this model.
- Who is responsible for:
- Explore a managed IT partnership
- Look for an MSP that:
- Understands small Missouri businesses and local connectivity issues
- Offers flat-rate managed plans (not just hourly)
- Includes:
- 24/7 monitoring
- Regular patching and maintenance
- Backup management and testing
- Security stack (firewall, endpoint security, MFA support)
- Strategic guidance (vCIO-style planning)
- Look for an MSP that:
- Start small if needed
- Begin with a core managed package:
- Monitoring, patching, backup oversight, helpdesk
- Add advanced services (compliance, VoIP, cloud migrations) as you grow.
- Begin with a core managed package:
Outcome: IT becomes predictable—like a utility bill, not a slot machine. You know what you pay each month and who owns the problems.
Resolution #6: Create a Simple 12‑Month IT Roadmap Tied to Business Goals
Finally, move from “reactive tech” to planned, strategic tech.
Regulators, insurers, and even larger customers are increasingly asking small businesses to prove they take IT and security seriously. On top of that, your own growth plans (new location, more staff, more online services) rely on stable technology.
Action plan for Q1–Q4
- Start with your business goals for 2026
- Are you:
- Adding staff or a second location?
- Launching e‑commerce or more online bookings?
- Taking on more regulated clients (healthcare, government, finance)?
- Are you:
- Map the tech you’ll need to support those goals
- Examples:
- New location → network design, secure Wi‑Fi, standardized PCs
- More remote work → VPN or secure remote access, collaboration tools
- More regulated work → stronger security stack, logging, documentation
- Examples:
- Create a simple, one-page roadmap
- Break the year into quarters:
- Q1: Password manager + MFA rollout, initial backup overhaul
- Q2: PC refresh (old systems), Wi‑Fi upgrades, baseline security training
- Q3: Cloud migrations or line-of-business upgrades
- Q4: Full IT “health check,” budget planning for 2027
- Break the year into quarters:
- Review quarterly and adjust
- Treat your IT roadmap like a living document.
- If you work with a managed service provider, this is where vCIO-style planning comes in—they help you forecast hardware refreshes, licensing changes, and security upgrades instead of scrambling last-minute.[14]
Bottom Line
You don’t have to struggle with tech issues alone or wait endlessly for help from the city. Pinpoint Tech is right here, ready to assist. We’re passionate about keeping North Missouri businesses, schools, and agencies running at full speed. If you’re within our service radius and looking for dependable IT support – be it managed IT services, one-off troubleshooting, or emergency rescue – give us a call or drop by our Chillicothe office. We offer free IT consultations and assessments, so you have nothing to lose except downtime. Let’s keep your technology on point together!
Contact Pinpoint Tech today for fast, reliable IT support. Phone: (816) 629-6149. Email: info@pinpoint-tech.com. We’ll respond promptly (typically within one business day or sooner) and can schedule a free on-site assessment to discuss your needs. Discover why local companies across Missouri trust Pinpoint Tech to keep their IT systems running smoothly – day in and day out.
FAQs
Are small businesses in Missouri really targets for cyberattacks?
Yes. Attackers care about easy money, not company size. Recent reports show 40–46% of small businesses report a cyberattack, and other analyses estimate 43% of all cyber attacks target small businesses specifically.[2][3][1] Rural and small-town businesses often have weaker protections, making them attractive targets.
What are the top tech priorities I should tackle first this year?
If you’re overwhelmed, focus on this order:
- Passwords + MFA (protect logins)
- Backups (make sure you can recover)
- Updates/Patching + Wi‑Fi security
- Basic staff training on phishing and safe habits
- Monitoring and a plan for who to call when something breaks
Nail these first before chasing more advanced trends.
I don’t have an IT person. Can I still make progress on these resolutions?
Absolutely. Many day‑one actions are doable without deep technical skills:
- Enabling MFA on email and banking
- Rolling out a password manager
- Turning on auto-updates
- Signing up for a reputable cloud backup solution
For more complex pieces (firewall configuration, network design, compliance), a local MSP can step in so you don’t have to become your own CIO.
How often should I review my IT and security posture?
How do I know if it’s time to move from break–fix to managed IT?
Signs you’ve outgrown break–fix:
- You’ve had multiple outages or “all hands” emergencies in the past year.
- Staff are losing hours each week to slow PCs, Wi‑Fi issues, or printer drama.
- Security questionnaires from insurers or customers are getting harder to answer.
- One non-IT employee has quietly become the de facto “IT person” and is burnt out.
If that sounds familiar, this is the year to at least price out a managed IT relationship and compare it to what downtime is already costing you.[11][12][13]
Sources
- GetAstra – “51 Small Business Cyber Attack Statistics 2025” (June 2025). Provides stats on 43% of attacks targeting SMBs, 14% prepared, human error and password issues.[2]
- U.S. SBA – “Cyber Safety Is Critical to Small Business Success” and “5 Small Business Trends for 2025”. Data on 41% of SMBs hit by attacks in 2023 and median costs.[3][16]
- Total Assure – “Cyber Attacks on Small Businesses Statistics 2025”. 46% attack rate, $120k average losses, 60% closure rate within six months.[1]
- StrongDM – “35 Alarming Small Business Cybersecurity Statistics for 2025”. Trends on unpatched systems, social engineering focus on SMBs.[5]
- Varonis – “Cybersecurity Statistics 2024”. Human error as a major factor in breaches.[8]
- Verizon – Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR) 2024–2025. On credential-based breaches and rising costs for SMBs.[17]
- Silverback Consulting – “5-Minute Cyber Health Checklist” (2025). Inspiration for quick SMB audits.[15]
- Pinpoint Tech content on managed IT, downtime, patching, and local SMB pain points.[6][7][14]