5 Steps Every Business Should Take Before Q4
September is here—school’s back in session, budgets are being finalized, and the holiday season (and end-of-year rush) is closer than we think.
But here’s what most leaders overlook: cybercriminals are also ramping up.
In fact, Q4 consistently sees a spike in phishing, ransomware, and fraud attempts. Attackers know employees are distracted, inboxes are overflowing, and IT teams are stretched thin. That makes this the perfect time to strike—and the worst time to discover a vulnerability.
At Pacific IT Support, we believe September is the ideal month for a cybersecurity reset. It’s a chance to catch small issues before they become big (and expensive) problems, and to make sure your tech is aligned with your Q4 goals.
Here are 5 smart steps your organization should take right now:
1. Run a Quick Security Awareness Refresher
Whether it’s staff returning from summer vacations or new hires settling in, September is a great time to reinforce cybersecurity basics.
- Send out a “phishing red flags” cheat sheet
- Host a short refresher training session
- Run a phishing simulation to test awareness
Your team is your human firewall—a little training goes a long way in preventing costly mistakes.
Read also: The Human Firewall: How to Train Your Staff to Spot Phishing in 2025
Read also: Don’t Get Hooked: Protect Your SMB from Phishing Attacks
2. Patch & Update Everything
Delaying updates is like leaving your front door unlocked. Vulnerabilities in outdated software are one of the easiest ways attackers gain access.
- Update operating systems, browsers, and productivity tools
- Check firewalls and endpoint protection
- Review cloud apps like Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace
Schedule a maintenance window this month to make sure everything’s current and secure.
Read also: How Co-Managed IT Can Help Growing Businesses
3. Check Your Backups (and Test Them)
Backups are only useful if they work when you need them. Don’t wait until disaster strikes to find out they’re incomplete or corrupted.
- Test restoring a file, a system, and a database
- Review your RTO (Recovery Time Objective)
- Confirm offsite/cloud redundancy
If you can’t restore critical data within 24 hours, it’s time to revisit your backup strategy.
Read also: What is a Disaster Recovery Plan and Why Your Business Needs One
4. Review User Access & Permissions
Over the summer, roles may have shifted, and temporary access may have lingered longer than it should. Excessive permissions are a major security risk.
- Remove inactive or outdated accounts
- Audit admin privileges
- Enforce least-privilege access policies
This step alone can dramatically reduce the risk of insider threats and accidental data exposure.
Read also: Cybersecurity Vulnerability Assessment: A Must for SMBs
5. Align IT with Q4 Goals
September isn’t just about cleanup—it’s also about planning. Make sure your tech stack is ready to support your Q4 initiatives.
- Do you have the right licenses and tools for upcoming projects?
- Are you overspending on unused software or seats?
- Is your IT budget aligned with your 2026 roadmap?
A quick IT audit now can save time, money, and stress later.
Read also: What Great IT Should Really Do for Your Business
The Takeaway
September is more than back-to-school—it’s the time to get your business cyber-ready for Q4.
Whether you’re a school, clinic, nonprofit, or growing business, a little IT prep now means fewer surprises later. At Pacific IT Support, we help organizations like yours:
- Run quick IT audits
- Train staff on phishing and social engineering
- Test backups and recovery
- Align technology with your mission
Let’s schedule your September Cybersecurity Reset and set you up for a secure finish to 2025.
Connect with Pacific IT Support Today!
Stay ahead in IT—subscribe to our newsletter!
Image credit: tanrıca / Pixabay