Introduction: Why Cyber Security Isn't Just for Big Business

Cyber security threats and their impacts aren't limited to large organisations or high-profile companies. Many cyber threats disproportionately affect small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) and not-for-profits. The impact of limited resources and minimal internal IT support means that these smaller, budget-constrained organisations make attractive targets for cybercriminals. The good news? You don't need a dedicated IT department to stay secure. An IT assessment highlights gaps and uncovers risks, allowing action to be taken to resolve them.

Understanding the Cyber Threat Landscape for Small and Medium Businesses (SMB's) and Not-For-Profit organisations (NFP's)

Cyber threats take many forms—phishing emails, ransomware, unauthorised access to data, and more. These attacks can cause significant disruption, financial loss, and reputational damage. The tactics used by attackers grow more sophisticated every year, but most breaches still stem from preventable issues.

• A staff member clicks on a convincing phishing email because they are unaware of the potential risks associated with phishing emails.

• A device leaves the office without endpoint protection.

• An admin account remains active months after the user leaves.

These aren't rare exceptions. They're typical of what we find during assessments.

Why SMBs and Not-for-Profits Are Prime Targets

Hackers see smaller organisations as low-hanging fruit. Why? While many focus on delivering value to their clients or community, they often overlook the basics of cyber security. Many small businesses patch systems inconsistently or delay updates. As roles evolve, staff frequently forget to revoke outdated administrative access. Backups exist, but no one has verified their effectiveness. When they attempt to restore their systems after an incident, they find that their backups are either not working or are much older and less recent than they should be, resulting in significant delays and a much more severe impact than necessary.

Add compliance requirements to the mix—especially for not-for-profits or businesses in the allied health or other heavily regulated sectors, and it becomes clear that an IT Health Check isn't a luxury. It's a necessity.

What Makes an IT Health Check Different?

Think of an IT assessment like a building inspection for your technology. It provides an independent, structured view of your IT  systems and processes, identifying where they're strong, where they're fragile, and what requires urgent attention. It's not a sales tool. It's not a bundled audit or assessment from a support provider. It's a standalone product designed to:

• Surface vulnerabilities before attackers do

• Help you make informed decisions and ask the right questions, even if you're not tech-savvy

• It tells you what's working and what isn't

• Provide peace of mind

At IT Health Check, we don't sell support; we deliver clarity so you can focus on what matters and take the necessary action, either independently or in collaboration with your current IT support provider. Our four-step, standardised methodology is what makes it different and independent.

Key Areas an IT Assessment Covers

A professional IT assessment focuses on the areas that matter most for protecting your organisation. Here are some of the key areas our IT assessments typically cover. Our independent and structured IT Health Checks covers these and many more:

Network Security

Is your network protected from external threats? Are firewalls, routers, and Wi-Fi access points properly configured?

Endpoint Protection

Do devices have antivirus? Are updates enforced? What happens if a laptop goes missing?

Cloud Security

Are cloud systems, such as Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, configured securely? Do old users still have access to sensitive files?

Data Handling and Compliance

Are data retention policies clear? Are you compliant with regulations like the Privacy Act or NDIS reporting standards?

Our IT Health Checks include much more:

• Whether Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is enabled

• Whether staff have unnecessary admin access

• Whether backups are both running and tested

• Whether antivirus and patch management are centrally enforced

These aren't "nice to haves." They're essential safeguards that reduce risk immediately.

Depending on the level of detail you require, we offer several tiers of Health Checks, each tailored to suit different business sizes and objectives. Many customers also use our IT Asset Register to track their assets and identify potential risks.

📄 Download the Cyber-Risk Checklist (PDF)

We've created a one-page version of the most common business risks we flag, with no technical jargon, just clear guidance.

Use our free checklist to self-assess where your most obvious vulnerabilities might be. It's a simple, practical first step.

Case Study: The Slow Leak That Could Have Flooded the Business

One customer we recently worked with, who was not facing any active cyber security or ransomware incidents, simply wanted a better understanding of the IT systems and peace of mind about their core IT setup. During the IT Health Check, we discovered that their backup system hadn't run correctly in several weeks.

Another organisation we worked with had migrated to Microsoft 365 but had several former staff accounts still active (a common issue), and one of these accounts even had administrator rights, granting access to their entire email and document storage systems.

We provided both with simple, non-technical reports. They acted quickly, and their MSP helped fix the issues within days. The knowledge of what questions to ask their respective IT support providers empowered them to manage the relationship better and gave everyone confidence and greater peace of mind.

How to Prepare for an IT Assessment

Every IT Health Check starts with a short questionnaire that helps us understand how your organisation uses IT, what’s critical, and where key risks might sit. We start by looking at things like:

1. How you use IT in your organisation: the software programs you use, existing backup routines, and user access records.

2. Know what's critical: Think about which systems or data you can't afford to lose.

3. Understand your compliance obligations: If you handle sensitive data or operate in a regulated industry such as health, accounting or legal services, be prepared to discuss them.

We'll guide you through the rest.

Confidence Starts with Clarity

You don't need to know everything about cyber security. But you do need to know enough to make smart decisions. An independent IT Health Check helps you do just that. You'll walk away with a clear understanding of your risks, a list of practical recommendations, and a newfound confidence in your systems.

✅ Secure a FREE, no-obligation, 15-min IT Security Consult

Want to know if a Health Check is right for your organisation? Book a short call. We'll answer your questions—no pressure.