By Kelsey Beauchamp
It starts with a simple email on a busy Tuesday morning.
It looks like it’s from the CEO.
The name checks out. The tone feels right. The signature is familiar.
“Hey — can you help me with something quickly? I’m in back-to-back meetings. Need you to handle a vendor payment. I’ll explain later.”
For a new employee at your business, this is a moment of decision.
They’ve only been on the job for a few days. They’re still learning your systems, your processes, and your people. The last thing they want to do is question leadership—or slow things down.
So they act.
And just like that, your business could be exposed to a costly cyberattack.
Why the First Week Is the Highest-Risk Time for SMBs
For small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) across North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota, onboarding season isn’t just about growth—it’s also a critical security window.
Cybercriminals know this.
Research shows that new hires are significantly more likely to fall for phishing attacks, especially impersonation emails from leadership. Why? Because everything is unfamiliar.
- They don’t yet recognize normal communication patterns
- They don’t know your approval processes
- They don’t feel confident questioning unusual requests
And in many SMB environments, onboarding can feel rushed or informal.
That combination—uncertainty + urgency + access gaps—is exactly what attackers look for.
The Real Problem Isn’t Your Employee—It’s Your Onboarding Process
It’s easy to assume these situations happen because someone made a mistake.
But in reality, the issue is rarely the employee.
It’s the system surrounding them.
Think about a typical first day in many SMBs:
- Their laptop isn’t fully configured
- Permissions are still being set up
- They’re temporarily using someone else’s login
- Files are saved locally instead of securely
- They may use personal devices to “get things done faster”
None of this feels unsafe in the moment—it feels efficient.
But behind the scenes, it creates real risk:
- Untracked access points
- Data stored outside protected systems
- Security gaps no one has addressed yet
- No clear guidance on what to do when something seems off
In short: chaotic onboarding creates opportunity for cyber threats.
What a Secure First Week Looks Like for SMBs
The good news? Fixing this doesn’t require complex training or overwhelming your new hires.
It comes down to three simple, proactive steps:
1. Fully Set Up Access Before Day One
Your new employee should walk into a ready environment:
- Company-issued device configured and secured
- Unique login credentials (no shared accounts)
- Clearly defined permissions
No shortcuts. No “we’ll fix it later.”
2. Define What’s “Normal” in Your Business
This is one of the most overlooked cybersecurity steps for SMBs.
Take 10 minutes and explain:
- Does leadership ever request payments via email or text?
- What’s the proper approval process?
- What should they do if something feels unusual?
Clarity here prevents costly assumptions later.
3. Give Them a Safe Place to Ask Questions
Most first-week mistakes happen because employees don’t want to look inexperienced.
Instead of guessing, they should know exactly who to ask.
- Assign a go-to person
- Encourage double-checking
- Normalize asking before acting
A quick question can prevent a major incident.
Why This Matters for Businesses in ND, SD & MN
In regions like the Upper Midwest, SMBs often rely on tight-knit teams and trust-based cultures. That’s a strength—but it can also be a vulnerability if not supported by structured processes.
Cybercriminals don’t target only large corporations anymore. They actively target SMBs because:
- Security resources are often limited
- Processes may be informal
- Employees wear multiple hats
That’s why proactive onboarding security is one of the highest ROI moves you can make.
Final Thought: The Risk Starts Before the Attack
That phishing email didn’t create the vulnerability.
It simply exposed it.
The real risk begins earlier—during onboarding.
If your business is hiring this year, now is the time to tighten your process before that “Tuesday morning email” arrives.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why are new employees more vulnerable to phishing attacks?
New employees are unfamiliar with company processes, communication styles, and security protocols. This lack of context makes it harder to identify suspicious emails, especially impersonation attempts from leadership.
2. How can SMBs in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota improve onboarding security?
SMBs can improve onboarding security by preparing devices and access in advance, clearly defining communication and approval processes, and giving employees a trusted point of contact for questions.
3. What is CEO impersonation fraud and why is it dangerous?
CEO impersonation fraud is a type of phishing attack where cybercriminals pose as company executives to request urgent actions like payments or sensitive data. It’s dangerous because it exploits trust and urgency, often bypassing normal safeguards.
4. What are the most common cybersecurity risks during employee onboarding?
Common risks include shared credentials, unsecured devices, incomplete access controls, use of personal devices, and lack of clear security guidance.
5. Do small and medium-sized businesses really need cybersecurity onboarding processes?
Yes. SMBs are frequent targets of cyberattacks because they often lack formal security processes. A structured onboarding process significantly reduces the risk of breaches and costly mistakes.
A Quick Next Step
If you’re reviewing your onboarding process—or planning to bring on new employees—this is a great time to take a closer look at how secure your first week really is.
If you’d like a second set of eyes on your process, or just want to sanity check a few things, we’re always happy to have a conversation.
📞 Call us at (701) 364-2718
🌐 Or schedule a quick discovery call at www.imsnetworking.com.
