Your End of Year Cybersecurity Checklist: What Every Business Should Review Before 2026

As the year winds down, most businesses focus on closing the books, planning budgets, and taking well-deserved time off. There is one more critical task that should not be overlooked before heading into a new year: a complete cybersecurity and IT health check.

Cyber threats do not slow down during the holiday season. In fact, attacks often increase during the winter months when teams are stretched thin. Completing a structured, end of year cybersecurity review helps ensure your business starts the new year protected, compliant, and operating at its best.

Below is a practical, non-technical checklist your organization can use right now.

1. Review and Update Your Access Controls

Over time, employees change roles, contractors come and go, and credentials can remain active longer than intended.

• Remove accounts for former employees

• Audit admin level privileges

• Enable multi factor authentication (MFA) wherever possible

• Update password policies and enforce complexity and expiration as needed

Cleaning up access is one of the simplest ways to reduce risk.

2. Verify That All Backups Are Working and Tested

Backups are your safety net, but many businesses discover too late that theirs were outdated or never tested.

• Confirm backups are running on schedule

• Ensure off site or cloud based backups exist

• Test a restore to verify it works

• Review retention policies

A tested backup system is essential for recovery in the event of ransomware or data loss.

3. Patch and Update All Systems

Unpatched software is one of the most common entry points for cybercriminals.

• Update servers, computers, firewalls, and applications

• Identify devices running outdated or unsupported systems

• Schedule updates during off hours to reduce disruption

Keeping systems current significantly reduces vulnerability exposure.

4. Review Your Cybersecurity Tools and Their Effectiveness

Make sure the tools you use to protect your business are performing as expected.

• Antivirus or endpoint detection and response

• Firewalls

• Spam and email security filters

• Dark web monitoring

• Vulnerability scans

If your tools are outdated or rarely reviewed, it may be time to upgrade for 2026.

5. Evaluate Your Incident Response Plan

If an incident occurred today, would your team know how to respond?

• Identify internal and external contacts

• Document emergency procedures

• Review communication steps

• Ensure the plan is updated and easily accessible

A clear response plan helps limit downtime and reduces the impact of an attack.

6. Confirm Your Compliance Requirements

Many industries have updated or upcoming regulatory requirements.

• Review regulatory changes for 2025 and 2026

• Validate data handling procedures

• Confirm documentation and reporting requirements

Compliance gaps can lead to fines and increased security risks.

7. Conduct Employee Cyber Awareness Training

Employees play a significant role in preventing attacks.

• Run a phishing simulation

• Refresh training on identifying suspicious emails

• Review password and device handling best practices

• Update policies for remote or hybrid workers

A well trained team is a stronger defense against cyber threats.

8. Assess Your IT Vendor or MSP Performance

The end of the year is an ideal time to evaluate the support you receive.

• Are response times consistent

• Are they proactive in identifying risks

• Do they provide reporting and recommendations

• Have they helped reduce downtime this year

If you are unsure about any of these, it may be time to review your options.

9. Review Hardware and Infrastructure Lifecycles

Aging or unsupported hardware creates security gaps.

• Identify equipment nearing end of life

• Replace outdated firewalls, servers, and computers

• Plan budget for necessary upgrades in 2026

Reliable hardware supports stable and secure operations.

10. Update Your IT Budget for 2026

Use your findings from the checklist to plan ahead.

• Prioritize upgrades

• Address outdated systems

• Evaluate staffing or co managed IT needs

• Allocate funds for cybersecurity improvements

A well structured budget helps prevent surprise expenses and supports long term security.

Start the New Year Secure and Confident

An end of year cybersecurity review protects your operations, your employees, and your customers. Investing time into assessing your environment now sets your business up for a safer and more productive 2026.

If you would like assistance completing this checklist or want a deeper evaluation of your IT environment, Encompass IT can help with fast response times and tailored cybersecurity solutions.