Resources · IT security guides for small business
Free IT and Cybersecurity Guides for Small Business
Practical IT and security guides for small business owners, written in plain English by SupportMax. Use the cybersecurity risk checklist to see how exposed you are, the ransomware readiness checklist to check whether you could recover, the IT support buyer's guide to compare providers, and the technology stack review to sort out the tools you pay for. Every guide is free to read online, with no form required.
Resources · From SupportMax in West Los Angeles
Pick a guide
1
How exposed are we? Security checklist
2
Could we recover? Ransomware checklist
3
Which provider? Buyer's guide
Questions? 310.331.8119 · Mon–Fri, 9–6 Pacific.
Plain-English help
Free to read online
No form required
One accountable team
The guides
Four free guides for small business owners
Each one answers a specific question.
01
Cybersecurity risk checklist
A yes-or-no self-check of the security basics. Use the checklist.
02
Ransomware readiness checklist
Could your business recover from ransomware? Check your readiness.
03
IT support buyer's guide
Questions to ask any IT provider, and the red flags. Read the guide.
04
Technology stack review
Review every tool you pay for and decide what to keep. Start the review.
How to use them
How to get the most from these guides
Fifteen minutes each.
Start With the Security Checklist
1. Start with your biggest worry
Security, recovery, choosing a provider, or too many tools: pick the guide that matches.
2. Work through it with your team
Include whoever knows your systems, even if that is an outside provider.
3. Decide on next steps
Fix the simple gaps yourself, and ask for help with the rest.
By topic
Security, IT decisions, and getting help
Where each guide fits.
Security
Know your risk
Cybersecurity risk checklist
Ransomware readiness checklist
Backup testing guide
Signs of a hacked business
IT decisions
Choose well
IT support buyer's guide
Managed IT vs break-fix
Managed IT vs in-house IT
Technology stack review
Getting help
Next steps
Free IT assessment
Cybersecurity assessment
Talk to SupportMax
All resources
Looking for official guidance too? CISA's cyber guidance for small businesses and its Secure Our World program are free and worth bookmarking.
No strings
Everything is free to read
Every guide is available in full on its page, with no form and no sales call. Printable versions are being prepared. If you would rather have someone look at your setup, start with a free IT assessment or browse all SupportMax resources.
All resources →When you want help
What SupportMax provides
01
Managed IT
Help desk, device monitoring and updates, and onsite help on the Westside.
02
Cybersecurity
Endpoint and email protection, MFA, 24/7 threat monitoring, and tested backups.
03
Assessments
A free IT assessment, or a paid cybersecurity assessment with a written plan.
04
Advice
Plain-English recommendations, without fear tactics.
Printable versions
Get the guides as printable PDFs
Printable PDF versions to keep on file and share with your team. Choose a guide and we'll email it to you.
Get the free Cybersecurity Risk Checklist: a printable checklist and gap plan for your team.
Working with SupportMax
One accountable team, clear next steps
Have a question the guides don't answer?
Call 310.331.8119, Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. Pacific.
Questions
IT security guides for small business: common questions
Have a question that isn't here? Call 310.331.8119 or schedule a free consultation.
Are these guides really free?
Yes. Every guide is free to read online, with no form required.
Which guide should I start with?
If you are not sure, start with the cybersecurity risk checklist.
Can I download them?
Printable versions are being prepared. Everything is on the guide pages now.
Who writes these guides?
SupportMax, an IT and cybersecurity provider in West Los Angeles for businesses with about 1 to 100 people.
Are the guides specific to Los Angeles?
The advice applies to any small business. Our services are for the Los Angeles area.
Can SupportMax help us act on a guide?
Yes. Start with a free IT assessment or contact us.
Start with a free guide
Call 310.331.8119, Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. Pacific, or start with the security checklist.
Prefer to call? 310.331.8119 · Mon–Fri, 9–6