What does a cybersecurity audit find in a medium-sized SME, and what gets fixed in the first month?

A cybersecurity audit is a comprehensive review of a company's network, equipment, access points, and backups to identify risks and determine the first steps for addressing them. But what does a cybersecurity audit actually uncover in a small or medium-sized business (SMB) with 20 to 50 employees, and what can be fixed in just one month?

The answer surprises many managers: the most serious problems are almost never sophisticated. They are everyday oversights that accumulate over the years. That's why, in a security review for companies The important thing is not just to find them, but to order them, starting with those that pose the greatest risk.

What does a cybersecurity audit in an SME check?

A cybersecurity audit in an SME reviews four areas: the network and firewall, workstations, users and their access, and backups. In each area, it is verified whether the measures exist, whether they are correctly configured, and whether they would function in the event of a real incident.

Furthermore, the review isn't limited to technology. It also examines who has access to what, what happens when someone leaves the company, and who is responsible for verifying that backups can be recovered. Often, the answer to these questions is "no one in particular," and that's where much of the risk lies.

What errors almost always appear?

Although every company is different, the same weaknesses are almost always repeated in the average SME. Furthermore, most don't require advanced knowledge to exploit: an attacker simply needs to know where to look, and they are usually visible from the first day of the audit. These are the most common findings:

1. Remote access points exposed to the Internet. Remote desktops opened directly, without a VPN, are one of the most common entry points for attacks.
2. Active former employee accounts. Email or remote access for people who are no longer with the company continues to work months later.
3. Email without two-factor authentication. A single leaked password is all it takes for an attacker to access the mailbox and impersonate the company to customers and suppliers.
4. Backups that have never been tested. The copy exists, but no one has checked if it can be recovered, or if it is on a disk permanently connected to the server, within reach of ransomware.
5. Equipment without support. Microsoft stopped releasing free security updates for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, and many small and medium-sized businesses still have computers running that system.
6. Users with administrator permissions. Any malicious program that the user opens can be installed without any restrictions.
7. Default or shared passwords. The router, firewall, or printer retains the factory password, or all the equipment shares the same key.

Why are these failures so common?

Primarily because in an SME, IT grows alongside the business, without a plan. Equipment is added when someone new joins, a cloud service is contracted when needed, and everything is configured "to work." Over time, no one has a complete overview of the system.

On the other hand, most SMEs don't have a dedicated security officer. The person who manages IT usually handles it alongside other tasks, and security is left for "when there's time." Consequently, vulnerabilities go undetected until someone exploits them.

What gets fixed in the first month?

Following the audit, the first month is dedicated to mitigating the most serious risks with quick and low-cost measures. The goal is not to rebuild the entire IT system, but rather to eliminate the easiest entry points for an attacker. A typical plan is organized by week:

1. Week 1: Access. Former employee accounts are deactivated, two-factor authentication is activated on email, and unnecessary administrator permissions are removed.
2. Week 2: Backups. At least one offline or cloud backup is set up and, most importantly, a real recovery test is performed.
3. Week 3: Equipment and updates. Systems and programs are updated, and decisions are made about what to do with equipment that is no longer supported.
4. Week 4: Network and remote access. Default passwords are changed, exposed remote access points are closed, and firewall settings are reviewed.

At the end of the month, the company is not invulnerable, but it has eliminated the risks that explain most incidents in SMEs. Furthermore, it has a prioritized list of what remains to be done.

What's left after the first month?

From the second month onwards, improvements requiring more time are addressed: team training to recognize phishing, password and equipment usage policies, network separation into zones, and an incident response plan.

It is also advisable to schedule a periodic review, because security changes every time a new employee joins or a new service is contracted.

In fact, he himself General Data Protection Regulation Article 32 requires a process of regular verification and evaluation of the effectiveness of security measures. Therefore, repeating the audit once a year is not only a good practice: it helps to demonstrate compliance.

How can Apen help you with your company's audit?

At Apen, we conduct the audit and support you during the first month to implement the most urgent corrective actions. We present the results in clear, unambiguous terms, with a phased plan tailored to your budget. Furthermore, with over 35 years of experience supporting SMEs, we understand the common challenges and how to resolve them without disrupting your daily operations.

If you want to know how your company is protected, call us at 938 606 220 or check out our cybersecurity services.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a cybersecurity audit take in an SME?

In a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) with 20 to 50 employees, the technical review is usually completed in a few days. Afterwards, the report with the results and the prioritized improvement plan is presented.

Does the activity have to be stopped during the audit?

No. Most of the review is done remotely or during off-peak hours, and only occasional collaboration from the IT manager is needed.

What happens if the audit finds many flaws?

This is normal and doesn't mean the company is in immediate danger. Failures are prioritized by risk, and the most serious ones can usually be corrected within the first month.

Is a cybersecurity audit mandatory?

There is no general obligation to do so, but the GDPR requires periodic evaluation of security measures, and standards such as ISO 27001 or NIS2 require similar reviews.

How often should a cybersecurity audit be repeated in an SME?

As a reference, once a year and always after major changes, such as a move, new systems, staff growth or a security incident.