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Summer is winding down, vacations are coming to an end, and businesses are shifting their focus toward a strong fi nish to the year. While you’re reviewing budgets, planning projects, and preparing for Q4, there’s one area that often gets overlooked: your digital environment.

Just like a cluttered office makes it harder to work efficiently, a cluttered digital environment makes it harder to protect your business. Old user accounts, outdated software, forgotten devices, and excessive access permissions all create unnecessary cybersecurity risks.

Cybercriminals aren’t just looking for sophisticated vulnerabilities—they’re looking for easy ones.

According to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), implementing basic cyber hygiene practices is one of the most effective ways organizations can reduce their risk of cyberattacks.

Likewise, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) emphasizes that knowing what systems, users, and data you have is foundational to cybersecurity.

Before the busy fourth quarter begins, here are ten areas every business should review.

 

1. Remove Former Employee Accounts

When an employee leaves, disabling their email account isn’t enough.

Former employees may still have access to:

  • Microsoft 365
  • VPNs
  • Remote desktop connections
  • Cloud storage
  • CRM platforms
  • Industry-specific software

Every inactive account is another potential entry point for attackers.

Make it a standard part of your offboarding process to immediately revoke access to every business system.

 

2. Review Administrative Privileges

Not every employee needs administrator access.

Over time, businesses often grant elevated permissions for convenience—but never remove them.

Administrative accounts should be limited only to employees who truly need them. The fewer privileged accounts you have, the smaller your attack surface becomes.

NIST recommends applying the principle of least privilege, ensuring users receive only the access necessary to perform their job functions.

 

3. Update Software and Operating Systems

One of the easiest ways attackers gain access is by exploiting known vulnerabilities that organizations simply haven’t patched.

Software updates don’t just add new features—they often fi x critical security flaws.

Review:

  • Windows updates
  • Microsoft 365 applications
  • Firewalls
  • Network equipment
  • Servers
  • Business software
  • Third-party applications

Automatic updates should be enabled whenever possible.

 

4. Delete Unused Applications

If no one uses it, why keep it?

Unused applications can:

  • Contain security vulnerabilities
  • Create unnecessary licensing costs
  • Expand your attack surface
  • Introduce unsupported software into your environment

Removing outdated applications reduces complexity while making future updates easier to manage.

 

5. Clean Up Shared Folders

Shared folders tend to grow over time.

Ask yourself:

  • Does everyone still need access?
  • Are sensitive fi les stored appropriately?
  • Are there duplicate copies of confidential documents?
  • Are vendors still able to access shared resources?

Review permissions regularly and remove access that is no longer necessary.

 

6. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication Everywhere

Passwords alone are no longer enough.

CISA continues to identify multi-factor authentication (MFA) as one of the most effective defenses against account compromise.

If MFA isn’t enabled across your business, prioritize:

  • Email
  • Microsoft 365
  • VPN access
  • Financial systems
  • Payroll
  • Remote management tools

Adding a second layer of verification dramatically reduces the likelihood of unauthorized access.

 

7. Inventory Company Devices

Do you know exactly how many devices connect to your network?

Many businesses don’t.

Create an inventory that includes:

  • Laptops
  • Desktops
  • Servers
  • Mobile phones
  • Tablets
  • Network equipment
  • Printers
  • Internet of Things (IoT) devices

If you don’t know what devices you have, it’s difficult to secure them.

 

8. Test Your Backups

Having backups is important.

Knowing they’ll actually work is even more important.

Many organizations discover problems with their backup systems only after ransomware or hardware failure occurs.

Regularly verify:

  • Backup schedules
  • Recovery times
  • File integrity
  • Off-site storage
  • Disaster recovery procedures

A backup that can’t be restored isn’t really a backup.

 

9. Review Password Practices

Weak passwords continue to be one of the easiest ways attackers gain access to business systems.

Instead of relying on employees to remember dozens of passwords, encourage the use of password managers.

Better yet, begin exploring passkeys where supported.

Avoid:

  • Shared passwords
  • Reused passwords
  • Passwords stored in spreadsheets
  • Sticky notes on monitors

Strong credential management protects every other security control you have in place.

 

10. Assess Your Overall Cyber Risk

Finally, take a step back and look at the bigger picture.

Ask yourself:

  • Where are our biggest risks?
  • Are we compliant with current security best practices?
  • Are employees following security policies?
  • Could we recover from ransomware?
  • Are we prepared for Q4?

Cybersecurity isn’t about eliminating every risk—it’s about understanding your risk and reducing it before it becomes a problem.

A cybersecurity assessment provides a clear picture of your current environment and helps prioritize the improvements that will have the greatest impact.

 

Start Q4 with Confidence

Digital clutter doesn’t accumulate overnight, and it won’t disappear overnight either. But taking the time to review your systems now can significantly reduce risk heading into the busiest part of the year.

Cybersecurity isn’t just about buying more technology. It’s about maintaining the technology you already have, ensuring the right people have the right access, and building habits that make your business more resilient.

At Bent Ear Technology Partners, we believe proactive IT is the best defense against reactive problems. Whether it’s reviewing access permissions, strengthening cybersecurity, or helping your organization understand where its biggest risks exist, we’re here to help you start fresh—and stay secure.

Ready to see where your business stands? Take our complimentary Cyber Risk Score assessment and discover opportunities to strengthen your security before Q4 begins.

 

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