April 28, 2026  ·  7 min read  ·  RansomwareSmall BusinessPreparedness

Ransomware Readiness Checklist for Small Businesses

Ransomware response starts long before an incident. This checklist focuses on controls that actually reduce downtime and recovery cost.

1) Backup strategy Critical

Use 3-2-1 backups with at least one immutable/offline copy. Test restores monthly.

2) MFA everywhere Critical

Enforce MFA on email, VPN, cloud admin, and remote access tools. No exceptions for admin accounts.

3) Endpoint hardening High

Block unsigned scripts, disable unnecessary macros, and enforce least privilege on endpoints.

4) Patch cadence High

Prioritize internet-facing systems and remote access software first.

5) Recovery playbook High

Define who decides containment, comms, legal outreach, and business continuity in first 24 hours.

Fast validation test

Turn this into a monthly routine

EdgeIQ monitoring + reporting helps keep backup, exposure, and phishing controls on a repeatable schedule.

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