In our 26 years supporting small and mid-sized businesses across Texas and Louisiana, we’ve seen it all. And if there’s one thing we know for certain, it’s this: too many business owners treat IT and cybersecurity as an afterthought – and it’s costing them dearly.
Whether you’re running an industrial company in Port Arthur, a retail store in Lake Charles, a medical office in Beaumont, or a service business in Houston, the risks of falling behind in cybersecurity are the same – and they’re growing every day.
Recently, a client asked us, “What are the biggest IT mistakes you see business owners make?”
Here’s the honest answer.
Mistake #1: Treating IT and Cybersecurity Like a "One and Done" Project
Many business owners in our region think setting up basic protections – a firewall here, an antivirus there – is enough. It’s not. Threats evolve daily. Hackers don’t care if you’re a $500M refinery or a 10-person plumbing company. Cybercriminals target the businesses that are easiest to breach – and that’s often smaller operations who think they’re “too small” to be attacked.
At National Networks, we see firsthand how a single ransomware attack or system failure can shut down operations for days, costing Texas and Louisiana businesses thousands – sometimes even putting them out of business for good.
Mistake #2: Relying on Free or Consumer-Grade Software
Inflation and rising operating costs have many small businesses watching every penny. We get it – we’re a small business too. But skimping on cybersecurity tools is like putting a screen door on a submarine.
Free antivirus programs, outdated Wi-Fi routers, and DIY security setups simply aren’t built for business use.
They might seem like a money-saver upfront, but when your network is breached, and you’re facing regulatory fines or client lawsuits, you’ll realize how expensive “cheap” really is.
If you wouldn’t run your accounting on a free app, why trust your entire business security to bargain-bin software?
Mistake #3: Underestimating the Cost of Downtime
Here along the Gulf Coast, downtime can happen fast – storms, floods, power outages, or cyberattacks.
Many owners think, “We can survive a few hours offline.” But it rarely ends up that simple.
When your network goes down:
- Employees can’t work.
- Customers can’t reach you.
- Transactions stall.
- Revenue bleeds out.
For every hour of downtime, businesses in Texas and Louisiana lose an average of $10,000 or more, depending on the industry. And recovery costs? They stack up fast. A strong IT and backup strategy ensures that when disaster strikes, your business doesn’t just survive – it thrives.
Mistake #4: Failing to Plan for the Future
Technology changes fast – and cybersecurity threats change even faster. Yet, too many companies in our region still operate with a “set it and forget it” mentality when it comes to IT.
The reality?
If you’re not consistently assessing, updating, and reinforcing your systems, you’re falling behind – and opening the door to disaster.
Cybersecurity isn’t a one-time expense. It’s an ongoing investment in the life of your business.
What’s the Solution?
- Stop taking shortcuts. Protect what you’ve built with professional-grade IT services and security solutions tailored for businesses like yours.
- Think long-term. Technology is an asset, not an afterthought. Regular updates, monitoring, and strategy planning are crucial.
- Partner with local experts. National Networks has been protecting businesses across Texas and Louisiana since 1998. We know the unique challenges you face – and we know how to keep you ahead of them.
Ready to safeguard your business the right way?
👉 Click here to schedule your free 10-minute Security Assessment with National Networks.
Let’s make sure your business isn’t one click away from disaster.
