Spring cleaning season isn’t just for closets and clutter—it’s also the perfect time to clean up your business’s IT and cybersecurity habits.
If you're running a dental practice, law firm, accounting office, or small business in Wilmington, Leland, Hampstead, or Jacksonville, NC, chances are your team is focused on day-to-day operations. But ignoring outdated systems, old logins, or unpatched devices could leave your business vulnerable to cyber threats.
Here are five easy, high-impact cybersecurity tasks that every North Carolina business should add to their spring to-do list.
1. Tidy Up Employee Access
Over time, employees change roles, contractors cycle in and out, and old accounts get forgotten. That’s a security risk waiting to happen.
This spring, take 10 minutes to:
- Remove former employees from your systems
- Review admin privileges (who really needs them?)
- Cut off third-party access that’s no longer necessary
Not sure where to start? Our IT support team in Wilmington can help you get a handle on user access across your network.
2. Update Your Password Policy
Passwords are still one of the most common entry points for hackers. If your team is reusing passwords—or worse, using “Spring2024!”—it’s time for a reset.
We recommend:
- Enforcing complex passwords (or using a password manager)
- Enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible
- Retiring any outdated or default login credentials
Not sure what tools make sense for your team? Our IT consulting services in Wilmington can guide you through simple, secure solutions that won’t slow your team down.
3. Test Your Data Backups
Backing up your data is great—but have you ever tested that backup? If not, you don’t actually know if it’ll work when you need it most.
Make it a spring priority to:
- Confirm your backups are running daily
- Store backups in at least two secure locations (cloud and on-site)
- Schedule a test restore to make sure everything’s recoverable
If you’re not confident in your backup process, our team provides data recovery services in Wilmington and can help you set up reliable, secure systems from the ground up.
4. Patch and Protect All Devices
Your team’s devices—laptops, desktops, smartphones—are all potential entry points for malware or ransomware.
Now’s the time to:
- Run software and security updates
- Remove unused applications
- Make sure antivirus and endpoint protection tools are up to date
Still using Windows 10? Microsoft is ending support in October 2025. That means no more security updates, which puts your systems at risk. Learn more about how to prepare for Windows 10 End of Life here.
5. Schedule a Cybersecurity Risk Review
Sometimes the easiest way to get peace of mind is to let a pro take a look. A cybersecurity review can uncover hidden vulnerabilities and help you prioritize what to fix now—and what can wait.
We offer free cybersecurity risk assessments for small businesses throughout Southeastern North Carolina. It’s a quick, no-pressure way to see how your current setup stacks up.
Whether you’re in healthcare, finance, legal, or construction—we’ll meet you where you are and help you move forward securely.
Final Thoughts
Spring is a fresh start. And while scrubbing baseboards might not be fun, tidying up your cybersecurity can save you from major headaches down the line.
Earney IT is a managed IT services provider in Wilmington that works with small businesses across Leland, Hampstead, and Jacksonville. We make IT simple, secure, and stress-free—so you can focus on running your business.
✅ Ready for a cybersecurity refresh?
Schedule your free risk assessment today or contact us to learn more about how we can support your team with monthly managed IT services in Wilmington.
