Quick Reference Guides
Get critical cybersecurity information fast. These quick reference guides are designed for busy SMB employees and leaders. Each guide covers one essential topic with actionable steps, real-world scenarios, and clear next steps.
Print them, share them with your team, and keep them accessible when you need immediate guidance.
12 Quick Reference Guides
What to Do If You Suspect Phishing
Learn to recognize phishing emails and attacks. Immediate action steps to take and how to report threats to protect your organization.
Quick Incident Response Checklist
Step-by-step checklist for the first hours of a cybersecurity incident. Immediate actions, containment, communication, and recovery.
Password Best Practices for SMBs
Create strong passwords, use a password manager, enable MFA, and implement password policies. Practical guidance for every employee.
Social Engineering Red Flags
Recognize social engineering tactics, verify requests independently, and report threats. Common scenarios and how to respond.
Help! My Files Are Locked: Quick Ransomware Response
Immediate actions to take if your systems are encrypted. Containment, recovery, and what NOT to do.
Spotting Spoofed & Compromised Email
Learn to verify sender identity, spot fake emails, and recognize account compromise signs. Safe email practices.
Did Our Data Get Stolen? Quick Breach Response
Identify a data breach, take immediate action, notify stakeholders, and understand compliance obligations.
Secure Your Home Office & Remote Work
WiFi security, VPN setup, device hardening, and secure video conferencing. Keep work data safe outside the office.
Harden Your Computer & Mobile Device
OS updates, screen locks, encryption, and backup strategy. Platform-specific setup for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.
Manage Third-Party & Vendor Access Safely
Vendor assessment, access controls, monitoring, and offboarding. Reduce risk from contractors and service providers.
Is My Device Infected? Malware Detection & Removal
Recognize malware symptoms, isolate infected systems, and when to call for professional help. Safe removal practices.
Control Who Enters Your Facility
Badge systems, escort policies, access control, and visitor management. Prevent unauthorized physical access.
Stop Payment Fraud Before It Happens
Recognize payment fraud attempts and business email compromise targeting finance teams. Verification steps and approval processes to prevent losses.
Why These Guides Matter
Phishing Detection: Phishing is the #1 entry point for attackers. Knowing how to recognize and report suspicious emails protects everyone.
Incident Response: When an attack happens, the first few hours are critical. This guide helps you take the right immediate actions to minimize damage.
Password Security: Weak or reused passwords put your entire organization at risk. Learn how to create strong passwords and protect them.
Social Engineering: Attackers manipulate people more than they attack technology. Recognize common tactics and verify before you act.
Ransomware Response: Ransomware attacks are increasing and devastating. Knowing immediate containment steps and recovery procedures can save your organization from permanent data loss.
Email Security: Beyond phishing, attackers spoof email addresses and compromise accounts. Learn to verify sender identity and spot account takeover signs before damage spreads.
Data Breach Response: A breach isn't just a technical problem—it has legal and compliance implications. This guide walks you through identification, containment, notification, and documentation.
Remote Work Security: Hybrid work is here to stay. This guide ensures employees protect company data whether they're working from home, coffee shops, or the office.
Device Security: The weakest device in your organization becomes an entry point for attackers. Hardening computers and phones with updates, encryption, and backups is non-negotiable.
Vendor Risk Management: Third-party vendors and contractors access your systems and data. Managing that access and knowing what to expect in a breach protects you from supply chain attacks.
Malware Detection: Malware isn't always obvious. This guide teaches employees to recognize symptoms and take safe isolation steps before professional help arrives.
Physical Security: Not all attacks are digital. Badge systems, escort policies, and access control keep unauthorized people away from sensitive data and systems.
How to Use These Guides
- Individual Learning: Read a guide to understand a topic and share with others
- Team Training: Print guides and use them in security awareness sessions
- Quick Reference: Keep guides accessible in your helpdesk or operations area
- Incident Response: Have a copy of the Incident Response Checklist available in a crisis
- New Hire Onboarding: Include guides in your cybersecurity orientation
More Learning Resources
These quick guides are just the start. Explore deeper learning in the Cybersecurity Learning Center:
- Learning Center - Full courses on cybersecurity topics
- Threat Types - Understand specific cyber threats
- Training Videos - Watch expert guidance
- Policies & Procedures- Build your security program