5 Hidden Cyber Risks Lurking in Every Business (And How to Find Them)

When people think of cyber threats, they imagine hackers in hoodies and complex code. But many of the most damaging breaches come from far more mundane sources — overlooked processes, bad habits, or simple gaps in accountability.

If you’re a business leader, these are the kinds of risks you can find and fix, without needing to be technical. Let’s look at five hidden vulnerabilities that could already be inside your organization.

📥 Third-Party Vendors You’ve Stopped Paying Attention To

Most companies use dozens of SaaS tools, freelancers, or external platforms. If one of them gets compromised — or doesn’t follow good practices — you’re still on the hook.

How to fix it:

• Run a basic audit of tools and vendors

• Check whether each one has clear security policies

• Prioritize vendors who handle sensitive data (e.g. HR, finance, customer info)

🔑 Inactive Employee Accounts Still Live in Your System

Former employees often retain access to tools, files, or even admin dashboards long after they’ve left.

How to fix it:

• Implement an offboarding checklist with IT

• Schedule a quarterly audit of all active accounts and permissions

• Use single sign-on (SSO) tools to manage access centrally

📁 Shadow IT: Tools Your Team Is Using Without Approval

It’s common for teams to “just sign up” for free tools — but these tools can store sensitive data and fly under your security radar.

How to fix it:

• Run an anonymous survey: “What tools are you using to get work done?”

• Educate teams on why security reviews matter

• Offer fast-track approval for low-risk tools so people don’t go rogue

📱 BYOD Without Boundaries

Bring Your Own Device policies are common — but often lack structure. If your team accesses company data on personal laptops or phones, that’s a risk you can’t ignore.

How to fix it:

• Set clear BYOD policies (what’s allowed, what isn’t)

• Require basic protections like screen locks and device encryption

• Offer secure alternatives like virtual desktops or cloud storage

📣 Security Training That’s Out of Date or Ignored

Phishing scams, password reuse, and social engineering are still some of the biggest risks — and they all involve your people.

How to fix it:

• Run short, regular security refreshers (not once a year)

• Make it engaging: gamified tests, simulated phishing, quick wins

• Lead by example — if the C-suite doesn’t do it, why would the team?

🚀 Want to Lead Cyber Conversations With Confidence?

Our Cybersecurity for Non-Technical Executives ExecPack helps you:

• Spot the real risks without the jargon

• Ask the right questions

• Build a culture of resilience

• Plus: Downloadable tools, slides, and practical checklists

All in under 2 hours.