Cybersecurity Checklist for Small Teams and Remote Workers

Remote work has changed the way businesses operate, but it’s also opened the door to new cybersecurity risks. Without the protection of a central office network, your team’s devices, emails, and cloud platforms become prime targets for hackers, scams, and data loss.

Whether your employees work from home, on the road, or in hybrid roles, every access point needs to be secure.

This cybersecurity checklist is designed to help small business owners, team leaders, and remote workers in Los Angeles ensure that critical systems are protected without needing an IT department to get started.

At the end of this post, you can download the full printable version of this checklist to keep on file or share with your team.

Cybersecurity Checklist for Small Teams

🔒 1. Use Strong Passwords

• Unique passwords for every tool and platform
• At least 12 characters with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols
• Password manager in place for team use (e.g., Bitwarden, 1Password)

🔐 2. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

• Required on all company email, cloud, and CRM accounts
• App-based authentication preferred over SMS
• MFA enforced during onboarding

📶 3. Secure Home & Public Wi-Fi Use

• Home networks renamed and password protected
• VPN required for public Wi-Fi access (coffee shops, hotels, etc.)
• Employees instructed not to use unsecured Wi-Fi for work tasks

💻 4. Protect Devices

• Full disk encryption turned on for laptops and mobile devices
• Device lockouts enabled after inactivity
• Antivirus and antimalware software installed and updated

☁️ 5. Audit Cloud Storage and Access

• Shared drives reviewed monthly
• Public links turned off by default
• Access restricted by role or department

🛠 6. Run Software and Security Updates

• Automatic updates turned on for all devices and browsers
• Manual updates enforced if devices miss patch cycles
• Admins check for version compliance regularly

👥 7. Offboard Former Employees Immediately

• Accounts disabled and credentials revoked on same day
• Devices collected or wiped remotely
• Shared logins changed if shared across roles

📁 8. Back Up Critical Files

• Cloud backups scheduled daily or weekly
• Local backup drives used for sensitive data
• Backup recovery tested at least once per quarter

🧠 9. Train Employees on Threats

• Short phishing recognition training quarterly
• Clear process for reporting suspicious emails
• Staff informed about common tactics (e.g., fake DocuSign, invoice scams)

📝 10. Assign an Internal Point of Contact

• One person designated to oversee basic cybersecurity practices
• Contact listed in onboarding documents
• Partner with an external MSP (like ZZ Computer) for expert support

📄 Download the Cybersecurity Checklist

Want the printable version to share with your team or review offline?

➡️ Download the PDF checklist here

Secure Teams Start with Simple Habits

Most cyberattacks don’t succeed because of sophisticated hacking. They succeed because of simple oversights. This checklist gives your team the tools to stay protected and reduce the risk of disruption or data loss. Need help implementing any of the above? Request a free cybersecurity consultation or explore our full guide: Cybersecurity for Small Businesses in Los Angeles