In 2026, cyberattacks aren’t targeting only large corporations anymore. Small and medium businesses in Trois-Rivières and the Mauricie region have become prime targets for hackers, precisely because they’re often less protected.
Here are 7 concrete steps to protect your business, no in-house IT team required.
Quick answer: To secure an SMB in Trois-Rivières, apply 7 key measures: multi-factor authentication, tested backups, automatic updates, next-generation antivirus, anti-phishing training, access management, and an incident response plan.
1. Turn on MFA for every account
Why a password alone isn’t enough anymore
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is your first line of defense against unauthorized access. Without it, a single stolen password is enough to compromise your entire business.
- Turn on MFA for Microsoft 365, your email, and your cloud tools
- Use an authenticator app rather than SMS codes
- Set up conditional access policies with Microsoft Entra
Solution: OKTO Solutions sets up and manages MFA across all your applications in a matter of hours.
2. Set up verified offsite backups
The 3-2-1 backup rule
More than 60% of SMBs that suffer a major data loss close within 6 months. A backup that’s never been tested isn’t a backup you can trust.
- Back up your data outside your main network
- Test restoration at least once a quarter
- Follow the 3-2-1 rule: 3 copies, 2 different media types, 1 offsite
Solution: our managed IT services in Trois-Rivières include backup monitoring with automatic alerts.
3. Train your employees to spot phishing
What a good training program should cover
90% of successful cyberattacks start with a phishing email. Your employees are either your first line of defense or your biggest vulnerability.
- Run awareness training twice a year
- Simulate phishing attacks to test how alert your team really is
- Set up a clear process for reporting suspicious emails
Solution: we offer turnkey awareness programs built for SMBs in the Mauricie region.
4. Control access by role
Each employee should only have access to the data they need to do their job. Too many admin accounts creates enormous risk if one gets compromised.
- Apply the principle of least privilege
- Revoke access immediately when someone leaves
- Audit access rights at least twice a year
Solution: automate onboarding and offboarding with Microsoft 365 and Entra ID.
5. Keep your systems up to date
Security updates patch known flaws that hackers actively exploit. A system that hasn’t been updated is an open door.
- Automate updates for Windows and critical software
- Schedule restarts outside business hours
- Include network equipment in your update cycle
Solution: our full IT management includes automated patch management across all your devices.
6. Monitor your network in real time
Without active monitoring, an intrusion can go unnoticed for weeks. The average time to detect a breach without monitoring is 197 days.
- Install an intrusion detection system
- Set up automatic alerts for suspicious activity
- Review event logs regularly
Solution: our 24/7 monitoring detects and blocks threats before they cause damage.
7. Have an incident response plan
The first 5 things to do when you’re hit
It’s not a question of if you’ll be attacked, but when. Businesses with a response plan cut their recovery time by 70%.
- Define who does what when an attack happens
- Prepare a list of emergency contacts (IT, insurer, legal)
- Test your plan once a year with a simulated exercise
Solution: OKTO Solutions helps you build a business continuity plan tailored to Trois-Rivières SMBs.
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