FRANKLIN, Tenn. (Oct. 20, 2025)—October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and United Communications wants to help Middle Tennesseans build healthy digital habits and stay safe online.
As a locally-based internet provider, we know that small businesses are the backbone of our local economy. Unfortunately, small businesses are also increasingly attractive targets for cybercriminals. Unlike large corporations, small businesses often don’t have dedicated IT teams or massive security budgets, which makes them more vulnerable to attacks.
In part three of our National Cybersecurity Awareness Month series, we’ll cover three essential practices every small business should prioritize.
1. Endpoint Protection: Guarding Every Device
Every laptop, smartphone, tablet, or point-of-sale system connected to your business network is an “endpoint,” and each endpoint is a potential entry point for cyber threats. Hackers often exploit unsecured devices to install malware, steal sensitive data, or disrupt operations.
Why it matters: Securing each endpoint acts like a security guard for every device, monitoring traffic, blocking malicious files, and keeping systems up to date with the latest protections. Without it, one compromised device could put your entire business at risk.
How to start: Make sure all company devices use updated antivirus or antimalware software, require strong passwords, and are patched with the latest security updates. For businesses with remote employees, endpoint monitoring tools help secure devices no matter where they connect. Check out this helpful Small Business Administration cybersecurity guide to learn more.
2. Employee Training: Your First Line of Defense
Technology is powerful, but people are often the weakest link in cybersecurity. A single click on a phishing email or use of a compromised password can open the door to attackers.
Why it matters: Employees who understand basic cybersecurity principles, including how to spot suspicious emails, avoid using unsecured Wi-Fi, and create strong passwords, dramatically reduce your company’s risk.
How to start: Offer regular training sessions, share real-world examples of scams, and encourage employees to report suspicious activity without fear of blame. Make cybersecurity part of your company culture, not just an afterthought. The National Cybersecurity Alliance offers free resources to help you and your staff learn more about online safety.
3. Data Backup and Recovery: Planning for the Unexpected
Even with the best protections, breaches and cyberattacks can still happen. Data loss from ransomware attacks, hardware failure, or natural disasters can cripple a small business if there’s no backup plan in place.
Why it matters: Regularly backing up your business data and having a recovery plan ensures that even if files are lost or systems are compromised, you can get back up and running quickly.
How to start: Use automated cloud backups or secure off-site storage for critical business data. Test your recovery process regularly to make sure backups are working and accessible when you need them most. Visit CISA.gov to connect with a regional cybersecurity advisor near you and access a list of free services and tools for small business owners.
How United BizControl Helps Small Businesses
At United Communications, we know small business owners need reliable, affordable tools to protect their networks and serve their customers. That’s why we offer United BizControl, a smart network solution that empowers small business owners with numerous cybersecurity resources, including the ability to:
- Create partitioned networks – Set up secure, separate networks for business operations, employees, and guests without overlap.
- Offer free public Wi-Fi – Offer free internet to your guests and collect valuable customer data while keeping sensitive business data isolated.
- Boost your network resilience – Monitor performance, ensure uptime, and enjoy features that help your business stay connected even when issues arise.
- Add advanced firewall protection – A firewall acts as a security guard for your business network, protecting it from unknown external threats.
BizControl gives small businesses the ability to deliver the professional, secure connectivity today’s customers expect—without needing a full IT staff. By protecting devices, training employees, backing up critical data, and using tools like United BizControl, you can give your business the resilience it needs to thrive in today’s digital economy.
Visit us online to see if United’s fiber internet is available in your area or to learn more about how we can help keep your small business safe online.
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About United Communications
United Communications is a leading provider of internet and phone services for residential customers, small and mid-sized businesses, and enterprise-level organizations across Middle Tennessee. United has been nationally and regionally recognized, winning the 2024 and 2023 Best Places To Work award from the Nashville Business Journal, the 2024 and 2025 Gold Stevie® Award from the American Business Awards®, a 2025 BBC Mag Top 100 Fiber-To-The-Home Leader designation, and a 2023 Torch Award from the BBB. United was honored by the NCTA in their 2025 Smart Rural Community Showcase Awards.
United operates more than 6,100 route miles of fiber covering portions of Bedford, Davidson, Franklin, Giles, Lincoln, Marshall, Maury, Moore, Rutherford, Williamson, and Wilson counties. United Communications is a service of Middle Tennessee Electric. To learn more, please visit united.net.
Media Contact
Chris Song
chris@greenapplestrategy.com