In 2025, it has become clear that cyber-attacks are not only becoming more common but more sophisticated. However, there are still plenty of misconceptions regarding cybersecurity and the nature of data breaches. This can be problematic as it’s these misunderstandings that can lead to potential weaknesses.
Today, we’re going to get to the bottom of these myths and set the record straight.
Myth 1: “Complex passwords are best at protecting my data”
In theory, a long complex password can go a long way in protecting your sensitive data than a simple easy-to-guess password. In practice, however, the truth is far more complicated.
While we encourage everyone to use a long, complex password (a mixture of lower and uppercase, between 8-16 characters, etc.), once a hacker gets hold of it then it won’t make a difference.
This is why it’s essential for any business to adopt a multi-layered approach to their cybersecurity. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is highly recommended and a regular changing of passwords as well as a passkey can make all the difference.
Myth 2: “Cybersecurity is the IT department’s responsibility”
While cyber-attacks can feel like a distant issue to most people, the reality is that you’re much closer to one than you think. This is why many assume that it’s the job of the IT department to sort out cybersecurity.
But when you look at the statistics, most cyber-attacks are caused by human error and they often, if not always, stem from people outside the IT department.
The long and short of it is that cybersecurity is everyone’s responsibility. All staff need regular training on all the best practices which include guarding against phishing attacks, securing devices and safeguarding information.
Myth 3: “I have antivirus software so that should be enough”
Antivirus software is, of course, critical to any cybersecurity strategy. Indeed, no cybersecurity plan is complete without one.
However, relying solely on antiviral software would be a mistake. It would be the equivalent of baking a cake with just the flour while forgetting all the other ingredients.
Like with passwords, a multi-layered approach to cybersecurity is far more effective by far. These can include firewalls, regular software updates, strong passwords, MFA, and more.
Myth 4: “Data breaches always come from outside my business”
This is by far the most easily believable myth. Often, cyber-attacks reported in the news tell of hackers who infiltrated the business from the outside.
But the reality is that the biggest risks come from within. And the breach might not even be caused by anyone malicious! It could happen because of mishandling of sensitive data or through a successful phishing attempt.
To minimise the risk, it’s best to ensure to implement strong access control and limit privileges among staff. Regular audits and ongoing employee training are also key to keeping on top of this.
Myth 5: “I’m too small to be targeted by hackers”
Perhaps the most dangerous myth of all is believing that your business could never be targeted by hackers because your business isn’t “big enough”.
But all those businesses that make the news only get the attention because they’re big. Many more businesses get hacked and never make the news. And that’s not even considering those that go unreported…
Hackers are more likely to target smaller businesses because they’re less likely to have robust cybersecurity. Ultimately, some hackers want notoriety, but most are in it for the money and small businesses are the quickest path to getting it.
So, there we have it, five cybersecurity myths successfully debunked! Don’t let cybersecurity myths get in the way of implementing a robust security strategy.
Optimise Your Cybersecurity with bSecured
Feeling overwhelmed with your business’ cybersecurity concerns? Unsure where to start? With bSecured, you can get all the best cybersecurity solutions all in one package.
From dark web monitoring to next-gen antivirus solutions, you can quickly and effectively gain robust IT support from our expert team and secure your sensitive data against the most common cyber threats.
If you want to learn how Bells IT Support can help your business be more secure, visit our contact page to get in touch and learn more by speaking to one of our team.