September 4, 2026

Property management companies rely on technology every day to communicate with tenants, process payments, manage maintenance requests, and protect sensitive information.

Most businesses understand that cybersecurity is important. The challenge is knowing where the real risks are.

After working with businesses throughout the Edmonton Metro Area, we’ve noticed the same issues appear again and again. The good news is they’re all preventable.

Here are the seven most common cybersecurity mistakes we see (and how to avoid them!).

1. Multi-Factor Authentication Isn’t Enabled for Everyone

One of the biggest misconceptions is that Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) only needs to be enabled for administrators.

In reality, every Microsoft 365 account should be protected with MFA.

If a user’s password is stolen through a phishing attack, MFA adds another layer of security that helps prevent unauthorized access.

What to do:

  • Enable MFA for every employee.
  • Remove older authentication methods.
  • Review inactive accounts regularly.

2. Former Employees Still Have Access

Employee turnover is part of every business, but former employees should never retain access to company systems.

Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon to find old Microsoft 365 accounts, shared passwords, or forgotten remote access accounts that were never removed.

What to do:

  • Disable accounts immediately when employment ends.
  • Review user access every quarter.
  • Remove unnecessary administrator accounts.

3. Backups Are Never Tested

Many businesses feel confident because they have backups.

The problem is they’ve never tested whether those backups actually restore successfully.

A backup isn’t valuable until you’ve confirmed it works.

What to do:

  • Monitor backups daily.
  • Perform regular restore tests.
  • Document recovery procedures.

4. Everyone Has Access to Everything

As businesses grow, file permissions often become an afterthought.

We’ve seen organizations where every employee can access HR files, financial information, and confidential documents simply because permissions were never reviewed.

The more people who have unnecessary access, the greater the risk of accidental or intentional data exposure.

What to do:

  • Use role-based permissions.
  • Review SharePoint and local file access regularly.
  • Remove access that is no longer required.

5. Employees Haven’t Received Security Awareness Training

Cybercriminals target people, not technology.

Phishing emails have become increasingly convincing, making it difficult for employees to recognize fraudulent messages.

Security awareness training doesn’t need to be complicated, but it should be ongoing.

What to do:

  • Provide training at least annually.
  • Share examples of current scams.
  • Encourage employees to ask questions before clicking links or opening attachments.

6. Technology Is Only Reviewed When Something Breaks

Waiting until there’s a problem is one of the most expensive ways to manage technology.

Without regular reviews, businesses often miss opportunities to improve security, replace aging hardware, or optimize Microsoft 365.

What to do:

Schedule quarterly technology reviews to discuss:

  • Security improvements
  • Hardware lifecycle
  • Microsoft 365 updates
  • Business goals
  • Future projects

7. Cybersecurity Is Treated as an IT Problem

This may be the biggest mistake of all.

Cybersecurity isn’t just about firewalls and antivirus software.

It involves:

  • Leadership
  • Employees
  • Policies
  • Technology
  • Business processes

For example, a simple phone call to verify new banking details can prevent vendor payment fraud just as effectively as a security tool.

The strongest cybersecurity programs combine technology with good business practices.

A Quick Self-Assessment

How many of these statements describe your business?

☐ MFA is enabled for every employee.

☐ Former employees are removed immediately.

☐ Backups are tested regularly.

☐ File permissions are reviewed.

☐ Employees receive security awareness training.

☐ Technology is reviewed every quarter.

☐ Cybersecurity is part of everyday business planning.

If you couldn’t check every box, don’t panic. Most organizations have opportunities to improve.

The important thing is identifying the gaps before they become costly problems.

Why This Matters

Cybersecurity isn’t about achieving perfection. It’s about reducing risk.

Addressing these seven common issues can significantly improve your organization’s security without making technology more complicated for your employees.

Small improvements, made consistently, often provide the greatest long-term protection.

How Techwel Helps

At Techwel, we help property management companies throughout the Edmonton Metro Area strengthen their cybersecurity through proactive planning, Microsoft 365 management, ongoing monitoring, and practical guidance.

As a family-owned business, we believe the best security starts with strong relationships. That’s why every call is answered by a real person, and why we focus on helping clients prevent problems instead of simply responding to them.

If you’d like to better understand your organization’s cybersecurity posture, we’re happy to review your current environment and identify practical improvements that fit your business.

Book a Discovery Call with us: https://www.techwelcomputers.com/discoverycall/