Compliance Checklist for Small Business Owners

Running a small business in Oregon is already a juggling act — customers to serve, staff to manage, and a never-ending list of responsibilities. The last thing you want is to get blindsided by a compliance issue or a data security problem that could have been prevented with a clearer plan.

At The Nerd Stuff, we work with small businesses across the I-5 corridor who want reliable IT, proactive protection, and long-term peace of mind, so owners feel supported every step of the way.

Here's a clear, friendly checklist you can use today to confidently keep your business compliant and secure.

The Small Business Compliance Checklist

This checklist covers the essentials every business — from dental offices to law firms to construction companies — should have in place to stay secure, compliant, and audit-ready.

Security & Data Protection

Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) everywhere

MFA dramatically reduces unauthorized access, even if a password is compromised.

Ensure all devices have up-to-date antivirus and endpoint protection

Outdated devices are one of the biggest security gaps for small businesses.

Patch operating systems and applications regularly

Or better — let your managed IT provider do it automatically. Proactive monitoring prevents issues before they happen.

Encrypt sensitive data at rest and in transit

If your business handles customer information, payments, medical data, or legal files, encryption isn't optional.

Use secure, encrypted email for sensitive communications

Especially important for regulated industries like medical, dental, law, and finance.

Backups & Disaster Recovery

Maintain automatic, off-site, encrypted backups

If you're still relying on an external drive someone takes home "just in case," it's time for a safer plan. Human error is not a backup strategy.

Test your backups regularly

A backup that can't be restored is just digital clutter.

Create a documented disaster recovery plan

Who does what? How fast can you recover? Where is your data stored? If you don't know, recovery will take longer and cost more.

Access Controls

Every user has a unique login—no shared accounts

Shared logins are a compliance nightmare for HIPAA, PCI, FTC, and most data privacy standards.

Limit access on a "need to know" basis

The front desk shouldn't have the same access as the business owner. Permissions matter.

Remove access immediately when employees leave

A common gap — and a major security risk.

Policies & Documentation

Maintain written security and compliance policies

This should include:

• Data retention rules
• Device usage policies
• Incident response plans
• Password and MFA requirements

These documents don't need to be complicated — just clear and followed consistently.

Sign Business Associate Agreements (BAAs) when needed

Required for HIPAA or whenever a vendor touches sensitive customer data.

Document compliance tasks and audits

If you ever face an audit, "we thought we were doing that" won't cut it.

Employee Training

Provide annual cybersecurity awareness training

Human error is the #1 cause of data breaches. Training reduces mistakes dramatically.

Teach staff how to identify phishing and social engineering

Your team shouldn't have to be tech experts — just aware of red flags.

Ensure employees know how to handle sensitive information

Especially important for businesses dealing with HIPAA, PCI, or FTC requirements.

IT Infrastructure & Monitoring

Implement proactive monitoring and alerting

This keeps minor issues from turning into costly downtime.

The Nerd Stuff's approach focuses on preventing problems before they start — because we want customers for ten years, not ten months.

Use secure, business-grade firewalls

Your ISP's default modem firewall isn't enough for regulated industries.

Ensure your Wi-Fi network is secured and segmented

Guest Wi-Fi should never connect to your internal business network.

Keep an inventory of all devices and software

You can't secure what you don't know exists.

Compliance by Industry (Quick Guide)

Different businesses have different requirements. Here's a simple snapshot:

• Healthcare / Dental → HIPAA compliance
• Financial / Law Firms (handling consumer financial data) → FTC Safeguards Rule
• Any business processing credit cards → PCI compliance
• Manufacturing → CMMC or other supply-chain regulations

The Nerd Stuff supports all of these for Oregon businesses.

Why Compliance Matters More Than Ever

Compliance isn't just about avoiding fines — it's about keeping your business stable, secure, and trustworthy.

Without the right safeguards, you risk:

• Data breaches
• Downtime and lost revenue
• Legal issues and penalties
• Damaged customer trust
• Reputation loss

In small businesses, one major incident can threaten the entire operation. That's why we focus so heavily on practical, proactive systems that protect your company in the long term.

Your Local Compliance & IT Partner

We work with small businesses across Oregon — from Eugene and Springfield to Bend, Salem, Corvallis, and the coast — helping them build secure, compliant environments without unnecessary complexity.

Why businesses trust us:

• 75+ years of combined experience supporting high-compliance industries.
• Local, Oregon-based team — approachable, business-casual, and easy to talk to.
• A caring, practical approach — never jargon-heavy or pushy.
• A 60-day Happiness Clause — if we fail to fix an actionable issue within 30 days, you're not locked in.
• Tailored solutions — no cookie-cutter compliance templates.

We do the nerd stuff so you can do business.

Get Compliant. Stay Compliant. Protect Your Business.

Small business compliance doesn't have to be complicated — it just needs to be consistent, proactive, and practical.

Let's make your compliance journey stress-free and straightforward.

Click Here or give us a call at (541) 726-7775 to Book a FREE 15-Minute Discovery Call