Small businesses in North Carolina face a 46% chance of experiencing a cyberattack in any given year, with average losses reaching $120,000 per incident. The essential security stack every NC business needs includes multi-factor authentication, endpoint detection, email security, backup, employee training, and patch management.
Key takeaway: According to StrongDM's 2026 cybersecurity report, 60% of small businesses that suffer a cyberattack close within six months. Despite this, 74% of SMB owners self-manage cybersecurity or rely on untrained staff, and only 29% rate their defenses as mature enough to prevent breaches.
Protect your North Carolina business today. Preferred Data Corporation provides cybersecurity assessments and managed security services for NC businesses. BBB A+ rated since 1987. Call (336) 886-3282 or request a security assessment.
Why Small Businesses Are Prime Targets
Cybercriminals increasingly target small and mid-size businesses because they often lack dedicated security staff while holding valuable data. The numbers are concerning:
- 43% of SMBs have faced at least one cyberattack in the past 12 months, according to Heimdal Security's 2026 report
- Attack frequency: Incidents now occur every 11 seconds against small businesses
- Incident rates climbed 47% year-over-year as threat actors target organizations with limited resources, per Total Assure's 2025 analysis
- Average breach cost for SMBs: $254,445, with some incidents reaching $7 million, according to Astra Security
- 83% of SMBs are not financially prepared to recover from a cyberattack
For North Carolina manufacturers and construction companies, the risk is particularly acute. Manufacturing is the most targeted sector for ransomware, accounting for 68% of industrial ransomware incidents in Q1 2025 alone, according to Insane Cyber's research.
The Essential Security Stack for NC Small Businesses
Every North Carolina business - whether in High Point, Charlotte, Greensboro, or Raleigh - needs these foundational security layers:
1. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
MFA is the single most effective control against account compromise. According to Microsoft's security research, MFA blocks 99.9% of automated attacks.
Implementation priorities:
- Email accounts (most common attack vector)
- VPN and remote access
- Cloud applications (Microsoft 365, accounting software)
- Administrative and privileged accounts
- Banking and financial systems
Best practices:
- Use authenticator apps (Microsoft Authenticator, Google Authenticator) over SMS
- Require MFA for all users, not just administrators
- Consider hardware security keys (YubiKey) for high-value accounts
2. Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)
Traditional antivirus only catches known threats. Modern attacks use fileless malware, living-off-the-land techniques, and AI-generated evasion methods that bypass signature-based detection.
EDR solutions provide:
- Behavioral analysis (detects suspicious actions, not just known malware)
- Automated containment (isolates compromised devices)
- Threat hunting (proactive search for hidden threats)
- Forensic data (understand how attacks occurred)
For NC businesses, managed EDR through a security provider like Preferred Data ensures 24/7 monitoring without requiring internal security staff.
Learn about Preferred Data's cybersecurity services
3. Email Security
Phishing remains the most common attack method, accounting for 33.8% of all breaches against small businesses according to Astra Security's research. AI-powered phishing attacks are becoming increasingly convincing.
Essential email protections:
- Advanced spam and phishing filtering
- DMARC, DKIM, and SPF authentication (prevents email spoofing)
- Safe attachments scanning (detonates files in sandboxes)
- URL rewriting and time-of-click protection
- Impersonation protection (flags emails pretending to be executives)
4. Data Backup and Recovery
A proper backup strategy is your last line of defense against ransomware. Follow the 3-2-1-1-0 rule:
- 3 copies of your data
- 2 different storage media
- 1 copy off-site (cloud or remote facility)
- 1 copy immutable (cannot be encrypted by ransomware)
- 0 errors (regular testing confirms successful restores)
According to NinjaOne's SMB research, 50% of SMBs take at least 24 hours to recover from an attack. Proper backup reduces recovery time from days to hours.
Explore Preferred Data's data protection services
5. Security Awareness Training
Your employees are both your greatest vulnerability and your strongest defense. According to Verizon's 2024 DBIR, human error contributes to the majority of breaches.
Effective training programs include:
- Monthly phishing simulations
- Short, engaging training modules (5-10 minutes)
- Specific scenarios relevant to your industry
- Immediate feedback when simulated phishing is clicked
- Recognition for employees who report suspicious emails
For manufacturing floor workers in NC plants who may not sit at computers all day, consider mobile-friendly training and periodic in-person sessions.
6. Patch Management
Unpatched software is a primary attack vector. Regular, automated patching reduces your vulnerability window from months to days.
Patch priorities:
- Operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux)
- Browsers (Chrome, Edge, Firefox)
- Office applications
- Remote access tools (VPN, RDP)
- Firmware on network devices (firewalls, switches, access points)
Beyond the Basics: Additional Protections
Once your foundation is solid, consider these additional layers:
Business-Grade Firewall
Consumer routers provide no real protection. A business-grade firewall (Fortinet, SonicWall, Meraki) offers:
- Intrusion detection and prevention (IDS/IPS)
- Content filtering
- Application control
- VPN for remote workers
- Network segmentation between departments or OT/IT environments
DNS Filtering
DNS-level filtering blocks connections to known malicious websites before they load, stopping threats that email filters miss. Solutions like Cisco Umbrella or Cloudflare Gateway add a network-wide protection layer.
Vulnerability Scanning
Regular scans identify weaknesses before attackers find them:
- External scans: What attackers see from the internet
- Internal scans: What a compromised insider could exploit
- Frequency: Monthly minimum, weekly for high-risk environments
Cybersecurity Costs for NC Small Businesses
Investing in security is significantly cheaper than recovering from a breach. According to IBM's Cost of a Data Breach 2025 Report, the average breach costs $4.88 million globally and takes 204 days to identify.
Typical managed security costs for NC small businesses:
- Basic security package (MFA, antivirus, patching): $25-$50/user/month
- Standard managed security (EDR, email security, training, monitoring): $50-$100/user/month
- Comprehensive security (SOC monitoring, incident response, compliance): $100-$200/user/month
For a 25-person Charlotte-area business, comprehensive security might cost $2,500-$5,000 monthly - a fraction of the $254,445 average breach cost.
Key takeaway: According to Crowdstrike's 2025 SMB study, 66% of SMBs cite cost as their top obstacle to stronger cybersecurity. Yet data breaches cost 3-4 times more than annual cybersecurity budgets. Security is not an expense - it is insurance against business-ending events.
Cyber Insurance: A Critical Complement
Cyber insurance helps cover breach costs, but insurers increasingly require specific security controls before issuing policies:
- [ ] MFA on all email and remote access
- [ ] EDR on all endpoints
- [ ] Regular patching
- [ ] Backup with offline/immutable copies
- [ ] Security awareness training
- [ ] Incident response plan
According to StrongDM's research, 91% of small businesses have not purchased cyber liability insurance despite awareness of risk. NC businesses should obtain quotes and understand requirements before an incident occurs.
Industry-Specific Considerations for North Carolina
Manufacturing
NC manufacturers face unique risks from the convergence of operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT). Network segmentation between plant floor systems and office networks is critical. Manufacturing accounts for the highest percentage of industrial ransomware attacks.
Learn about OT/IT security for manufacturers
Construction
NC construction companies deal with distributed workforces, shared devices on jobsites, and valuable bid data. Mobile device management and secure file sharing are essential for contractors operating across the Piedmont Triad and Charlotte regions.
Defense Contractors
North Carolina defense subcontractors must meet CMMC 2.0 requirements, with enforcement beginning in late 2025. Level 1 requires 17 basic security practices; Level 2 requires 110 NIST 800-171 controls.
Learn about CMMC compliance services
Building Your Cybersecurity Roadmap
If your North Carolina business is starting from scratch, here is a prioritized implementation plan:
Month 1: Foundation
- Enable MFA on all accounts
- Deploy business-grade endpoint protection
- Verify backup functionality
- Update firewall firmware
Month 2: Visibility
- Implement email security
- Start vulnerability scanning
- Review and update passwords/access
- Document your network
Month 3: Human Layer
- Launch security awareness training
- Conduct first phishing simulation
- Create an incident response plan
- Review cyber insurance options
Month 4-6: Maturation
- Upgrade to EDR from basic antivirus
- Implement network segmentation
- Deploy DNS filtering
- Conduct penetration testing
Ongoing:
- Monthly patching
- Quarterly phishing simulations
- Annual security assessment
- Regular backup testing
North Carolina Breach Notification Requirements
Under NC General Statute 75-65, businesses must notify affected NC residents "without unreasonable delay" following a breach of personal information. This includes notifying the NC Attorney General's office if more than 1,000 residents are affected.
Understanding your notification obligations before an incident occurs saves critical time during response.
Take Action Today
Every day without proper security is a day your Greensboro, High Point, Winston-Salem, Charlotte, or Raleigh business is exposed to threats that are growing more sophisticated. The cybersecurity landscape in 2026 demands proactive protection, not reactive response.
Preferred Data Corporation has protected North Carolina businesses since 1987. Our managed security services provide enterprise-grade protection at small business prices, backed by local expertise and 24/7 monitoring.
Start with a free security assessment:
- Call (336) 886-3282
- Visit pdcsoftware.com/contact
- Email [email protected]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common cyberattack against small businesses?
Phishing is the most common attack, accounting for 33.8% of all SMB breaches according to industry research. Phishing emails trick employees into revealing credentials, clicking malicious links, or transferring funds. AI-powered phishing is making these attacks increasingly convincing in 2026.
How much should a small business spend on cybersecurity?
Most NC small businesses should budget $50-$150 per user per month for managed cybersecurity services, depending on their industry and compliance requirements. This is far less than the average $254,445 breach cost and provides 24/7 protection without requiring in-house security staff.
Do small businesses really need cybersecurity?
Yes. Small businesses face a 43-46% chance of experiencing a cyberattack annually, and 60% of those attacked close within six months. Cybercriminals target small businesses specifically because they often lack security measures that larger organizations have in place.
What is the first cybersecurity step a small business should take?
Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on all business accounts immediately. MFA blocks 99.9% of automated attacks according to Microsoft's research, and it can be implemented in hours at minimal cost. Start with email, then expand to all cloud services and remote access.
Does my NC business need cyber insurance?
Cyber insurance is strongly recommended for all businesses handling customer data, financial information, or intellectual property. However, insurers now require specific security controls (MFA, EDR, backup, training) before issuing policies. Work with your MSP to meet these requirements before applying.