Cybersecurity for Startups and SMBs
The Security Stack Every Startup Needs
The essential startup security stack includes: identity & access (SSO + MFA + password manager), endpoint protection (EDR + disk encryption), cloud security (IAM hardening + CSPM + secrets manager), email security (anti-phishing + DMARC), code security (dependency scanning + secret scanning), backup (automated + tested), and monitoring (log aggregation + alerting).
Andreas Johansson · Chief Executive Officer
Senior IT management leader with 25 years of experience in Cloud, Security, and Datacenter infrastructure.
Building Your Stack
A startup security stack should be layered, affordable, and low-maintenance. The goal isn't to replicate an enterprise SOC — it's to close the gaps that attackers exploit most frequently while keeping engineering velocity high.
This stack is organized by priority. Implement from top to bottom — the first three layers prevent the majority of attacks.
Layer 1: Identity & Access (Priority: Critical)
Identity is the new perimeter. Most startup breaches begin with compromised or misconfigured credentials.
- SSO (Single Sign-On). Centralize authentication through Google Workspace or Microsoft 365. Every SaaS tool should authenticate via SSO — this reduces password surface area, enables central access control, and makes offboarding instant.
- MFA provider. Enforce MFA on all accounts. Options: built-in MFA in Google Workspace/Microsoft 365 (free), Duo (free edition for up to 10 users), or hardware security keys such as YubiKey.
- Password manager. 1Password Business or Bitwarden (open-source, very affordable). Eliminate shared credentials, enforce unique passwords, and secure shared secrets (API keys, Wi-Fi passwords) in vaults.
Layer 2: Endpoint Protection (Priority: Critical)
Every device is an entry point.
- EDR/Endpoint protection. CrowdStrike Falcon Go (startup pricing), SentinelOne (startup program), or Microsoft Defender for Business (included with Microsoft 365 Business Premium). Detects malware, ransomware, and suspicious behavior.
- Disk encryption. FileVault (macOS, free), BitLocker (Windows Pro, free). Encrypts the hard drive so stolen or lost devices don't expose data.
- MDM (Mobile Device Management). For teams >10: Jamf (Mac), Intune (Windows), or Kandji. Enforce security policies, push updates, and remote-wipe lost devices.
Layer 3: Cloud Security (Priority: Critical)
If you're a SaaS company, your cloud IS your product.
- IAM hardening. Free — configure least-privilege roles, disable root account usage, enable MFA on all cloud accounts, and review access regularly.
- Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM). Scans your cloud configuration for misconfigurations — open security groups, public S3 buckets, overprivileged roles. AWS Security Hub (free tier), Prowler (open-source for AWS), or ScoutSuite (multi-cloud, open-source).
- Secrets manager. AWS Secrets Manager, GCP Secret Manager, or Doppler. Store API keys, database credentials, and tokens securely — never in code.
Layer 4: Email Security (Priority: High)
Phishing remains the #1 attack vector.
- Anti-phishing. Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 include built-in phishing protection. Enhance with advanced email security if budget allows (Abnormal Security has startup pricing).
- DMARC/DKIM/SPF. Free DNS configurations that prevent attackers from spoofing your domain in phishing emails. Essential for brand protection and email deliverability.
Layer 5: Code Security (Priority: High)
Your codebase is your crown jewel.
- Dependency scanning. GitHub Dependabot (free), Snyk (free tier), or npm audit. Automatically detect vulnerable dependencies and suggest updates.
- Secret scanning. GitHub secret scanning (free for public repos, included in GitHub Advanced Security), truffleHog (open-source), or git-secrets. Catches accidentally committed API keys and credentials.
- Static analysis. SonarCloud (free for open-source), Semgrep (open-source). Catch security vulnerabilities in your code before deployment.
- Supply chain security. Pin dependency versions, verify package integrity, and review new dependencies before adoption.
Layer 6: Backup & Recovery (Priority: High)
Your safety net when everything else fails.
- Automated backups. Database backups (RDS automated backups, managed database snapshots), code repository backups, and SaaS data backups (Google Workspace Backup).
- Testing. Verify backup restoration quarterly. Untested backups aren't backups.
- Immutability. Where possible, make backups immutable — they can't be encrypted or deleted by ransomware.
Layer 7: Monitoring & Alerting (Priority: Medium)
You can't respond to what you can't see.
- Log aggregation. Centralize cloud audit logs, application logs, and access logs. AWS CloudTrail + CloudWatch, GCP Cloud Logging, or Datadog (has startup credits).
- Alerting. Configure alerts for critical events: root account login, security group changes, new IAM users, failed authentication spikes, and anomalous data access.
- Managed monitoring. For startups without dedicated security staff, managed security services provide 24/7 monitoring and alerting without building an in-house SOC.
Stack Evolution by Stage
- Pre-seed / seed: Layers 1-3 (identity, endpoints, cloud). €10-20/user/month total.
- Series A: Add layers 4-6 (email, code, backup). Begin compliance preparation. €30-50/user/month total.
- Series B+: Add layer 7 (monitoring), formal compliance (SOC 2), penetration testing, and consider managed security services. €50-100/user/month total.
How SeqOps fits
SeqOps gives small teams one view of the security of their AWS, Azure or Google Cloud accounts and servers, with findings ranked by severity and a plan sized to their infrastructure. Start with a 14-day free trial.