Common Cyber Mistakes, And How to Fix Them

In the first of a new series of articles, Greg Du-feu, Managing Director of Du-feu IT Solutions, provides readers with cyber mistakes he sees often from fabricators within the glazing sector, and more importantly, how to fix them. 

For years Fabrication in the glazing industry has been transforming rapidly. ERP systems now control orders and scheduling, accounts software manages everything from invoicing to payroll, and supplier portals connect your business across the supply chain.

But while technology has made operations smoother, it’s also made fabricators a prime target for cybercriminals. The harsh truth is this: most successful cyberattacks don’t rely on complex hacking — they exploit simple, preventable mistakes.

Here are the most common cybersecurity mistakes we see glazing fabricators make — and how to fix them before they cost you money, downtime, or your reputation.

1. Relying on Backups You’ve Never Tested

“We’ve got backups” is a phrase we hear all the time. But have you ever tried to restore one?
When ransomware strikes, many businesses discover too late that their backups were corrupted, outdated, or — worse — encrypted along with everything else. If your ERP data, accounting records, or order files are lost, production can grind to a halt.

Fix: Test your backups quarterly. Make sure you can restore data quickly, and always keep one backup offline so it’s safe from ransomware.

2. Weak or Shared Passwords

Shared passwords between team members are still common in fabrication offices and factories. It’s convenient but dangerous — if someone falls for a phishing scam, every system that shares that password becomes vulnerable.

Fix: Give every user their own login. Enforce strong passwords and activate multi-factor authentication (MFA) on all critical accounts, especially ERP and financial systems.

3. Thinking Antivirus Alone Is Enough

Traditional antivirus tools are no longer enough. Modern attacks use phishing, credential theft, and fileless malware to bypass them completely.

Fix: Use layered protection — endpoint detection and response (EDR), email filtering, and proactive monitoring.

4. Neglecting Staff Awareness

Your staff — especially in accounts and admin — are your first line of defence. But they’re also the easiest target for social engineering.

A single click on a phishing email pretending to be a supplier invoice could compromise your financial systems.

Fix: Run regular phishing simulations and awareness training. Even one or two short sessions a year drastically reduce human error.

5. Outdated Systems (Especially Windows 10)

Microsoft ends support for Windows 10 in October 2025, meaning no more security updates. Many fabrication businesses still depend on it for production.

Once it’s unsupported, those systems will become prime targets for hackers.

Fix: Plan your upgrades now. Review hardware and software early so you’re not scrambling next year.

6. Believing “We’re Too Small to Be Targeted”

Cybercriminals prefer small businesses because they know budgets are tighter and defences are weaker. And as part of a supply chain, your data is often linked to much larger contractors — making you an attractive entry point.

Fix: Build security proportionate to your risk, not your size.

Why These Mistakes Matter

Every one of these mistakes can lead to a business shutdown. A ransomware attack that halts fabrication for even two days can delay installations, upset contractors, and destroy trust.

In an industry where your reputation is everything, prevention isn’t optional — it’s vital.

Final Word

Cyberattacks thrive on the assumption that “it won’t happen to us.” But every week we see SMEs learning that lesson the hard way.

This Cybersecurity Awareness Month, Dufeu IT is offering a Cyber Health Check Bundle:

• A comprehensive Cybersecurity Risk Assessment
• A Microsoft 365 Security Review
• A full Penetration Test

This bundle is designed for SMEs like yours to get a complete, affordable snapshot of where you’re most exposed — and how to fix it.

Don’t wait until downtime costs you a major contract. Book your Cyber Health Check Bundle today and secure your fabrication facility before it’s too late.

To find out more information, or how to book your Cyber Health Check, visit: Contact – Dufeu IT Solutions