Small teams often postpone security because the complete version feels unaffordable. A shorter list, completed well, is more useful than a perfect program that never begins.
Start with access
- Require multi-factor authentication for critical services.
- Remove dormant accounts every month.
- Store production secrets outside source code.
- Test backups by restoring one.
- Assign an owner for dependency updates.
These controls are not a complete security program. They are a reliable floor on which a better one can be built.