You'd think that companies with billion-dollar budgets and armies of tech staff wouldn't make basic mistakes, but they do, regularly.
From data breaches to software meltdowns, there's been no shortage of high-profile tech blunders. While these disasters often grab headlines, they're more than just juicy stories; they're warnings. And if a company with thousands of staff can mess things up, it's worth asking, what could go wrong in a small business with limited time, budget, and expertise?
Let's unpack a few major tech missteps and what small businesses like yours can learn from them.
Don't Ignore Security Basics (Ask Equifax)
In 2017, Equifax suffered a massive data breach that exposed the personal details of 147 million people. The cause? A known software vulnerability that hadn't been patched.
The lesson
Even giant companies can fall behind on updates. For small businesses, skipping software patches and updates might seem harmless, but it's one of the most common ways attackers get in.
What you can do
Stay on top of security updates for all devices and software. Or better yet, get a managed service provider (MSP) to monitor and handle patching so you don't need to remember every detail.
Multi-Factor Authentication Isn't Optional (Just Ask Twitter)
A high-profile Twitter hack in 2020 saw attackers take control of several major accounts, including those of Elon Musk and Barack Obama. The hackers got in using social engineering – tricking employees into handing over credentials – and there wasn't a strong second layer of protection in place.
The lesson
Passwords are no longer enough, especially when staff can be tricked.
What you can do
Turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever you can, not just for email but also for any online service that supports it. An MSP can help set this up across your business in a way that's not annoying or disruptive.
Cloud Misconfigurations Are Real (Ask Capital One)
Capital One had a major data breach in 2019 when a misconfigured firewall allowed access to sensitive data stored in the cloud. The breach exposed the personal information of more than 100 million customers.
The lesson
Cloud services aren't automatically safe out of the box. One wrong setting, and it's like leaving your office unlocked overnight.
What you can do
If you're using cloud storage, or apps such as Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, double-check how everything is set up, or get someone who knows what to look for. An MSP can review your cloud setup and make sure you're not unintentionally sharing sensitive data with the entire internet.
Backups Need Testing (Ask GitLab)
In 2017, GitLab accidentally deleted a bunch of production data. No problem, right? They had backups, except the backups didn't work properly. Hours of developer work were lost.
The lesson
Having backups is great. Knowing that they actually work when you need them is even better.
What you can do
Make sure your backup systems are backing up the right stuff and that they're tested regularly. A managed service provider can handle this quietly in the background and give you peace of mind that your data isn't just disappearing into the void.
Software Can Break at Scale (Ask Facebook)
In 2021, Facebook and its associated services (Instagram, WhatsApp) went completely offline for six hours. The cause was a configuration change gone wrong during routine maintenance. Even their internal systems were affected, and employees couldn't badge-in to buildings or use internal tools to fix the issue.
The lesson
Sometimes, your own systems can work against you. A single tech change, if not tested or managed properly, can bring everything down.
What you can do
Small businesses may not run massive infrastructure, but even a single update or change can crash systems or take down email. Having someone such as an MSP oversee changes and rollouts can keep things smooth and limit surprises.
Don't Assume Staff Know What Not to Click
Many high-profile breaches start with one person clicking a bad link. Whether it's ransomware, phishing, or fake invoices, attackers often rely on human mistakes.
The lesson
Fancy tech won't help if staff aren't trained to spot threats.
What you can do
Make staff training a regular thing: short, practical lessons on how to spot dodgy emails or weird requests. An MSP can provide ongoing training tools or run harmless phishing tests to see who needs a bit more guidance.
The Big Picture: Prevention Is Always Cheaper Than Repair
Big companies can throw millions at recovery when things go wrong. Small businesses? Not so much.
That's why it's worth learning from the mistakes of giants, because while they recover, smaller companies often don't. Many small businesses don't survive the fallout from a major tech failure or data breach.
How We Can Help
We help small businesses avoid the messes that big companies land in. From security updates and backup management to cloud setup, staff training, and support when something goes wrong, we take care of the tech so you can get back to running your business.
If you'd rather not worry about patching systems, testing backups, or staying on top of every cyberthreat making headlines, let's chat. That's what we're here for. 903-347-0073
