Cybersecurity Checklist for Orange County Businesses in 2026

The threat landscape has fundamentally shifted. AI-generated phishing emails now bypass traditional detection, ransomware operators target backups before encryption, and California's privacy laws carry real enforcement teeth. Businesses that relied on "good enough" security in previous years face unacceptable risk. This checklist reflects the controls that actually prevent breaches in 2026—not theoretical best practices, but battle-tested defenses from real incident response.

Essential Controls:
☐ EDR (Endpoint Detection & Response) on all devices—not just antivirus
☐ Automatic OS and application patching within 72 hours of release
☐ Full-disk encryption enabled on all laptops and workstations
☐ USB device restrictions preventing unauthorized data transfer
☐ Application allowlisting for high-risk roles (finance, HR, executives)
☐ Mobile Device Management (MDM) for all devices accessing company data

Traditional antivirus catches less than 50% of modern malware. EDR solutions that monitor behavior—not just signatures—are now table stakes for business security.

Essential Controls:
☐ Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) on ALL accounts—no exceptions
☐ Phishing-resistant MFA (hardware keys or authenticator apps) for admins
☐ Single Sign-On (SSO) reducing password sprawl
☐ Enterprise password manager deployed company-wide
☐ Privileged Access Management (PAM) for admin accounts
☐ Quarterly access reviews removing departed employees and unused accounts
☐ Conditional access policies blocking logins from suspicious locations

Identity compromise remains the #1 attack vector. MFA alone stops 99.9% of account takeover attempts—yet 43% of SMBs still have accounts without it.

Essential Controls:
☐ Next-generation firewall with threat intelligence feeds
☐ Network segmentation isolating critical systems
☐ DNS filtering blocking known malicious domains
☐ VPN or Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) for remote workers
☐ Wireless network separation (corporate vs. guest)
☐ Network monitoring with alerting on anomalous traffic
☐ Regular vulnerability scanning (at least monthly)

Flat networks where any device can reach any system are indefensible. Segmentation limits breach impact and buys time for detection and response.

Essential Controls:
☐ Microsoft 365 security defaults enabled (minimum) or Conditional Access policies (preferred)
☐ SharePoint/OneDrive external sharing restrictions
☐ Email authentication configured (SPF, DKIM, DMARC)
☐ Anti-phishing policies with impersonation protection
☐ Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) for shadow IT detection
☐ Data Loss Prevention (DLP) policies for sensitive information
☐ Backup of Microsoft 365 data (Microsoft doesn't back up your data for you)

Microsoft 365 is powerful but requires configuration beyond defaults. The shared responsibility model means YOUR data protection is YOUR responsibility.

Essential Controls:
☐ 3-2-1 backup strategy: 3 copies, 2 media types, 1 offsite
☐ Immutable backups that ransomware cannot encrypt or delete
☐ Air-gapped or offline backup copy for critical data
☐ Regular backup testing with documented recovery procedures
☐ Recovery Time Objective (RTO) defined and achievable
☐ Recovery Point Objective (RPO) aligned with business tolerance

Modern ransomware targets backups first. If your backups are accessible from your network, assume they will be encrypted during an attack. Immutable and air-gapped copies are no longer optional.

Essential Controls:
☐ Security awareness training for all employees (not just annual)
☐ Simulated phishing campaigns with remediation training
☐ Role-specific training for finance, HR, and executives
☐ Documented acceptable use policy signed by all employees
☐ Incident reporting process known to all staff
☐ New hire security onboarding within first week

Employees are both your greatest vulnerability and your strongest defense. Regular training that reflects current threats—especially AI-generated phishing—dramatically reduces successful attacks.

California-Specific Requirements:
☐ CCPA/CPRA compliance for businesses meeting thresholds
☐ Data inventory documenting what personal information you collect
☐ Privacy policy updated for current regulations
☐ Data Subject Request (DSR) process for consumer rights
☐ Vendor agreements including data processing terms
☐ Breach notification procedures meeting 72-hour requirements

California has the strictest privacy laws in the nation. Businesses operating in Orange County must comply with CCPA/CPRA if they meet revenue or data thresholds—and enforcement has real consequences.

Essential Controls:
☐ Documented incident response plan
☐ Incident response team identified with contact information
☐ Cyber insurance policy with appropriate coverage
☐ Relationship with incident response provider established BEFORE an incident
☐ Tabletop exercises conducted annually
☐ Communication templates ready for breach notification

The time to find an incident response partner is not during an active breach. Established relationships mean faster response when minutes matter.

Not every business can maintain security expertise in-house—nor should they. When evaluating managed security providers, look for: demonstrated incident response experience, 24/7 monitoring capabilities, compliance expertise relevant to your industry, and transparent reporting on security posture.

For businesses researching options, you can explore cybersecurity services on DesignRush to compare California providers. Whether you manage security internally or partner with an MSSP, the checklist above represents the baseline controls every Orange County business needs in 2026.