Autimo Core

Small Business Cybersecurity Assessment Guide

A 10-minute self-assessment to identify your biggest cybersecurity risks. Designed for Canadian professional services firms handling sensitive client data.

What's Inside

  • 10-minute self-assessment you can complete today
  • Risk scoring framework with clear next steps
  • Canadian compliance considerations (PIPEDA, provincial)
  • Cost-benefit analysis for common security investments
  • Red flags that indicate immediate action needed

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Is Your Firm at Risk?

Most professional services firms don’t know their cybersecurity posture until it’s too late. This guide helps you assess your current state in just 10 minutes.

What you’ll discover:

  • Your current risk level (Low / Medium / High / Critical)
  • The three security controls that matter most for your firm size
  • Where to focus your budget for maximum protection
  • Whether your current IT provider is doing enough

No technical expertise required. Just honest answers about your current setup.

How the Assessment Works

The guide includes 25 yes/no questions across five critical security domains:

1. Access Control (5 questions)

  • Are passwords managed consistently?
  • Is multi-factor authentication enforced?
  • How are employee departures handled?
  • Who has admin access to critical systems?
  • Are shared accounts being used?

2. Data Protection (5 questions)

  • Where is sensitive data stored?
  • How are backups tested?
  • What encryption is in place?
  • How do employees share files externally?
  • Are mobile devices secured?

3. Threat Prevention (5 questions)

  • How current is your antivirus/endpoint protection?
  • Are security patches applied promptly?
  • Is email filtering catching phishing attempts?
  • What network security is in place?
  • Are employees trained on security awareness?

4. Incident Response (5 questions)

  • Do you have an incident response plan?
  • Can you detect security events in real-time?
  • Who would you call in a breach?
  • Are cyber insurance requirements met?
  • Is there a communication plan for clients?

5. Compliance & Governance (5 questions)

  • Which regulations apply to your firm?
  • Are vendor security reviews performed?
  • Is security documentation maintained?
  • Who oversees security decisions?
  • When was your last security review?

Understanding Your Score

0-10 points (Critical Risk) Your firm is vulnerable to common attacks. Immediate action required.

  • Priority: Implement basic security controls
  • Timeline: 30 days
  • Estimated investment: $2,000-5,000 setup

11-15 points (High Risk) Foundation exists but significant gaps remain.

  • Priority: Address high-risk vulnerabilities
  • Timeline: 60 days
  • Estimated investment: $5,000-10,000

16-20 points (Medium Risk) Good baseline security with room for improvement.

  • Priority: Enhance monitoring and response capabilities
  • Timeline: 90 days
  • Estimated investment: $3,000-7,000

21-25 points (Low Risk) Strong security posture maintained.

  • Priority: Continuous improvement and compliance maintenance
  • Timeline: Ongoing
  • Estimated investment: $1,000-3,000/year

What’s Included

Detailed Assessment Workbook

  • 25 questions with scoring guidance
  • Space to document current state
  • Priority ranking framework
  • Action planning template

Risk Mitigation Roadmap

  • Specific recommendations by risk level
  • Implementation timelines (30/60/90 day)
  • Cost estimates for BC market
  • DIY vs. managed service comparison

Canadian Compliance Guide

  • PIPEDA requirements summary
  • Provincial privacy law considerations
  • Industry-specific regulations (legal, financial, healthcare)
  • Breach notification obligations

Vendor Evaluation Checklist

  • Questions to ask your current IT provider
  • Red flags that indicate you need to switch
  • What to expect from a managed service provider
  • Service level agreement (SLA) essentials

Who This Is For

Small to mid-sized professional services firms (5-50 employees) that handle sensitive client data but don’t have dedicated IT security staff.

Executives and decision-makers (CEOs, COOs, Managing Partners) who need to evaluate their current security posture without technical background.

Firms preparing for:

  • Client security questionnaires
  • Cyber insurance applications
  • Industry compliance audits
  • IT provider evaluations

Why Trust This Assessment?

Developed by Autimo’s security team based on:

  • NIST Cybersecurity Framework
  • CIS Critical Security Controls
  • 15+ years managing IT for Canadian professional services firms
  • Real breach incident response experience
  • Cyber insurance claim requirements

Get Your Free Assessment Guide

Download the complete Cybersecurity Assessment Guide and know exactly where your firm stands. No credit card required.