Most businesses don’t realise they have cyber security gaps until it’s too late. A 2022 report from the UK’s Department for Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS) found that almost all respondents took cyber security a lot more seriously after experiencing a breach themselves. Whether it’s clinging on to outdated systems or working with misconfigured tools, a lot of organisations operate under a false sense of security – entirely unaware that fairly small oversights could be putting their data, operations, and reputation at risk.
Even companies with internal IT teams or existing providers can find themselves surprised by what a thorough IT audit uncovers. That’s why a structured cyber security assessment is so important: it exposes the hidden weaknesses that cybercriminals are counting on.
In this blog, we’ll explore five of the most common cyber security issues found when we audit new clients, as well as how we help to patch them with our managed IT support. If any of these hit a bit too close to home, it might be time to take a closer look at your own business security gaps.
1. Misconfigured Firewalls
A firewall is usually your first line of defence against external threats, but if it’s poorly configured, it might as well not be there at all. Many businesses assume that simply having a firewall in place is enough. In reality, default settings, overly permissive rules, and open ports are all common mistakes that leave networks wide open to attack.
Misconfigurations can allow unauthorised traffic to pass through unnoticed or block essential services and create bottlenecks in productivity. Worse still, many firewalls lack proper logging or alerting, so when something does go wrong, there’s no paper trail to follow.
This is one of the most frequent gaps identified in initial cyber security audits. Fixing it doesn’t necessarily require expensive hardware – just expert attention to setup, rule management, and monitoring. A well-configured firewall not only filters threats but also forms the backbone of a strong, layered cyber defence strategy.
2. Poor Password Hygiene
Weak or reused passwords remain one of the most exploited vulnerabilities in cyber-attacks, with around 80% of confirmed data breaches being related to weak or stolen passwords – and it’s still something we see far too often during audits. Whether it’s using “[company name]123” as a default, sharing logins between team members, or failing to change credentials after staff leave, poor password practices create easy entry points for attackers.
Some of the most common password red flags include:
- Using the same password across multiple accounts
- Relying on simple or guessable passwords like “Password1!”
- Keeping old or unused user accounts active
- Failing to enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA)
- Sharing credentials via email or messaging apps
It’s not just about password strength either. Many businesses operate without clear policies in place, leaving users to manage credentials on their own.
Improving password hygiene doesn’t have to be disruptive. Simple changes – like enabling MFA, implementing password managers, and setting up automated expiration policies – can have an outsized impact on business security. These are some of the most cost-effective ways to reduce risk, yet they’re often overlooked.
3. Outdated Tools and Software
Despite the fact that technology evolves so fast, many businesses fail to update their systems nearly as quickly. Outdated software, unsupported operating systems, and legacy antivirus tools are all major cyber security issues, even if they’re still working for you.
These older tools are often riddled with known vulnerabilities, which cybercriminals look for as a way in. Without regular patching and updates, your business is left exposed without you really realising it – not only to modern threats but also to compliance failures under evolving frameworks like Cyber Essentials and GDPR.
Some of the most common issues include:
- Running end-of-life operating systems (e.g., Windows 10 post-end of life in October 2025)
- Ignoring vendor updates for antivirus, backup, or firewall software
- Using legacy applications that no longer receive security patches
- Failing to update plugins or third-party integrations on websites
An effective IT audit identifies these weak spots early, so they can be addressed before they cause damage. Replacing or updating these tools also helps to improve performance, compatibility, and long-term business resilience.
4. Lack of Ongoing Monitoring and Alerts
Having cyber security tools in place is a good start, but without proper monitoring and alerting, you may not notice a breach until it’s too late. There’s not a lot of use in having antivirus software or firewalls if you never check the logs, configure alerts, or set up real-time notifications. As a result, suspicious activity can end up going undetected for days or even weeks.
This is a critical business security gap. Without continuous oversight, you’re essentially flying blind – leaving attackers free to move across your network unnoticed.
Proactive monitoring is essential to catching threats early and responding fast. Whether it’s through a managed security platform or internal protocols, setting up real-time alerts and actionable reporting can make all the difference in limiting the impact of a breach or preventing it altogether.
5. Inconsistent Backup and Disaster Recovery Planning
Backups are there to be your safety net, but they’re only effective if they’re consistent, secure, and actually usable. One of the most common (and dangerous) cyber security issues we uncover is a lack of reliable backup and disaster recovery planning. Many businesses assume they’re protected, only to find out during a crisis that their backups are outdated, corrupted, or inaccessible.
Inconsistencies in this area can include:
- Backups stored only locally, leaving them vulnerable to theft or ransomware
- No automated backup schedule – manual processes are often forgotten
- Failure to regularly test restore procedures
- Outdated disaster recovery plans that don’t reflect current systems
These gaps don’t just risk data loss – they can also result in extended downtime, compliance violations, and reputational damage.
An IT audit should assess not just whether backups exist but how well they’re maintained, secured, and aligned with business continuity goals. Effective disaster recovery planning ensures that when things go wrong, your business can bounce back quickly and with minimal disruption.
How These Gaps Are Identified and Addressed
Identifying these issues takes a methodical, expert-led approach. That’s why a structured IT audit is so important. It reveals the hidden weaknesses many businesses overlook and provides a clear path to resolution.
At EAC Network Solutions, our 26-point cyber security gap analysis offers a comprehensive threat assessment designed to pinpoint the most common vulnerabilities affecting business IT environments.
This audit digs deeper than surface-level checks; we assess your systems, software, user policies, and security tools against current threats and best practices. From firewall configurations and outdated software to password management and backup reliability, we methodically review each area to highlight where your defences are strong and where they need attention.
Once we’ve identified these business security gaps, the next step is working with you to prioritise fixes, implement improvements, and align your security strategy with your business goals. Whether that means configuring monitoring tools, rolling out MFA, upgrading unsupported systems, or delivering a fully managed cyber security package, our focus is always on practical, long-term protection.
Fill Your Security Gaps with EAC
The five cyber security gaps we’ve covered are some of the most common issues we uncover during initial audits. The good news? They’re all fixable.
Cyber threats are evolving fast, and businesses can no longer afford to assume their IT setup is “good enough.” A proactive approach, backed by expert insight, is essential for long-term protection and peace of mind.
If you’re unsure how your current setup would stand up to today’s threats, now’s the time to act.
Book your free consultation with us today and uncover the business security gaps you didn’t know were there – before they become a problem.
