You don't need an enterprise security budget to protect customer data — most of the impact comes from a handful of low-cost controls done consistently.
1. Turn on MFA everywhere
Free or built-in MFA on email, CRM, and billing stops the majority of account takeovers. Start here. Our MFA rollout guide makes it painless.
2. Encrypt and back up
Full-disk encryption is free on modern OSes; encrypted, tested backups are the difference between a bad day and a closed business. See the endpoint protection guide.
3. Limit access
Give each person the minimum they need. Fewer doors means fewer ways in — and easier cleanup if one account is compromised. Pair with a password policy and a password manager.
4. Vet vendors
Anyone who touches customer data is part of your risk. Our vendor-risk guide covers the three questions to ask.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the cheapest way to encrypt customer data?
Use built-in encryption: (1) Enable HTTPS on your website (free with Let's Encrypt), (2) Use encrypted databases (most business database solutions include this), (3) Encrypt file storage (AWS S3, Google Cloud Storage support encryption), (4) Use encrypted backups. Many business tools include encryption at no extra cost - just enable it.
Do I need to encrypt all customer data?
Encrypt data at rest (databases, file storage) and data in transit (website, email). For customer communications, use encrypted email or secure file transfer portals. If you collect payment information, PCI DSS requires encryption. Even without legal requirements, encryption builds customer trust and protects against data breaches.