A Cybersecurity

Checklist
for Startups
 ARCTIC WOLF / CYBERSECURITY CHECKLIST

There’s a lot to think about when

starting a new business, from fundraising
to landing your first big client.

In this context, cybersecurity doesn’t feel like a top priority compared to other needs.
As a result, cybercriminals see new businesses as prime targets for attack due to
underdeveloped security protocols. That makes a potential data breach a major threat to the
long-term viability of your business. So, you need to reassure stakeholders—from investors to
customers to new team members—that your new business is secure and that their data is safe
with you.

Some cybersecurity best practices may feel like overkill at first, but if everyone is clear on how
secure your organization from the very beginning, the business is far less likely to suffer from a
lax attitude in the future.

Use this checklist to start making cybersecurity

a priority that meets everyone’s needs:

2
 ARCTIC WOLF / CYBERSECURITY CHECKLIST

What Your Investors Need Demonstrate cybersecurity posture by defining company risks,
explaining to investors what safeguards are in place, as well as
Meeting the expectations of your
how you’ve determined where your organization stands in
investors includes giving them a
relation to industry benchmarks.
good understanding of your security
posture. In fact, cybersecurity Create contingency strategies. You should have a Plan B for
should be an integral part of your when disaster strikes, whether it’s a weather event or a
business plan. technical issue like a data breach. Investors need to see that
you’re well-prepared for all eventualities.

Include a security expert on your board of directors (or plan to

do so). While you may not have company directors in place
when you first approach investors, you should have a plan for
whom to include on your board—and one of those people needs
to be a cybersecurity expert.

What Your Growing Team Design an HR policy that integrates cybersecurity as part of
Needs onboarding new staff. Not only that, over time make an annual
security awareness training a mandatory requirement for all
Helping your employees adopt a
employees.
cybersecurity mindset is key. If you
establish clear security protocols Establish a firm policy on employee devices, especially if you
and practices from day one, you can plan to allow employees to bring their own devices (BYOD).
instill a security-first attitude that Although devices will vary in type and sophistication, security
will carry on as your organization should be standard. It’s wise to use multifactor authentication
matures and expands. for the business network, as well as a password manager for all
online accounts. You’ll also want to ensure that all devices can
be remotely disconnected form the network in the event of a
security incident.

Keep up with patching and security updates, even before hiring

an IT administrator. This is necessary to help keep operating
systems, software, and cybersecurity solutions up to date and
safe from the latest threats.

© 2019 Arctic Wolf Networks, Inc.

All rights reserved. | Public 3
 ARCTIC WOLF / CYBERSECURITY CHECKLIST

What Your Office Needs Cyberattacks are increasingly common and can strike at any
time. Always back up important data to protect yourself from
Most likely, if all goes according to plan
ransomware and other attacks.
your office will grow quickly and grow
considerably. That’s why you need Before working with third parties such as contractors and
to establish security processes and suppliers, set up a guest network and limit access to your critical
procedures that work today and scale infrastructure.
for the future.
Set up a VPN. Not only does a VPN allow more secure remote
employee access, it also masks IP addresses and prevents
hackers tracking activity on the network. A VPN can also be
scaled as the organization grows, and the network provider is
responsible for the infrastructure.

What Your Customers Need Salt and hash personally identifiable information. Encryption is
Most new enterprises rely on web- enough for online communication and cloud data, but the most
based applications for communications, sensitive information, such as usernames and passwords,
enhanced productivity, storage, and should be salted and hashed for maximum security.
all sorts of activities related to their Ensure your website has the latest security certifications,
businesses. Along the way they may including an SSL certificate. Companies doing business with
also store or transfer data related to yours need third-party confirmation that your website is
customers, partners, and other third- secure.
parties who would be affected in the
event of a data breach. As a result, your In addition, cybersecurity certifications in general,
startup must offer robust, provable and related to your industry in particular, can be a
security that assures customers that prerequisite for doing business with large enterprise firms.
their data is safe in your hands.

© 2019 Arctic Wolf Networks, Inc.

All rights reserved. | Public 4
 ARCTIC WOLF / CYBERSECURITY CHECKLIST

Wondering what’s the best way to

address these challenges?

Discover how the Arctic Wolf SOC-as-a-service helps you check off every item on the list in the
most comprehensive, secure, and affordable way possible.

ABOUT ARCTIC WOLF

Arctic Wolf Networks delivers the industry-leading security operations center (SOC)-as-a-service that redefines the
economics of cybersecurity. Arctic Wolf™ Managed Detection and Response and Managed Risk services are anchored by
the Arctic Wolf Concierge Security™ Team who provide custom threat hunting, alerting, and reporting. The Arctic Wolf
purpose-built, cloud-based SOC-as-a-service offers 24×7 monitoring, risk management, threat detection, and response.

For more information about Arctic Wolf, visit arcticwolf.com.

SOC2 Type II Certified Contact Us

©2019 Arctic Wolf Networks, Inc. All rights reserved. Arctic Wolf Networks, AWN arcticwolf.com
and the Arctic Wolf Networks logo are trademarks of Arctic Wolf Networks, Inc. in 1.888.272.8429
the United States and/or other jurisdictions. Other names used in this document are
for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners.
[email protected]

AW_Cybersecurity-Checklist-Startups-1019