Cybersecurity on Tap: Protecting Michigan Businesses One Pint at a Time

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. It’s a time to spotlight the growing risks businesses face online and the steps they can take to stay safe. It’s also the perfect season to sit back with a refreshing beer and enjoy Michigan’s beautiful fall weather.

At Yeo & Yeo Technology, we know cybersecurity can sometimes feel abstract or overwhelming. We want to make it go down smoothly. That’s why we’re pairing some of today’s biggest cyber risks with unique brews from our friends at Midland Brewing Company, a proud Michigan business and valued Yeo & Yeo Technology client.

Like every craft beer has its distinctive flavor, each cyberthreat carries a unique “profile.” And every Michigan business needs to understand what’s on tap.

Here are the pairings:

Ransomware – Oktoberfest

Ransomware is one of the most damaging cyber threats today, locking businesses out of their systems until a ransom is paid. Global damages are expected to surpass $20 billion this year, according to CISA, and small businesses are no less vulnerable than large enterprises. We’ve paired this threat with Oktoberfest because, like the bold flavor of a fall brew, ransomware hits hard and fast.

Michigan businesses can defend themselves by backing up data regularly, training employees to spot suspicious emails, and preparing an incident response plan before disaster strikes.

Malware – Boom Run Oatmeal Stout

Malware, malicious software designed to steal data or disrupt operations, remains a major risk for businesses of all sizes. Even something as simple as downloading a compromised attachment can infect your systems, slow productivity, and expose sensitive information. The richness of Boom Run Oatmeal Stout reflects the “weight” of malware, which often runs quietly in the background until it causes serious damage.

Protecting against malware means patching software, using strong endpoint protection, and deploying monitoring tools to catch unusual activity before it spreads.

Phishing – Dam Good Beer

Phishing continues to be the number one entry point for cyberattacks, with Microsoft reporting that 91% of incidents start with a deceptive email. Just like Dam Good Beer lives up to its name, phishing messages often look good, appearing like they came from a trusted sender, while hiding a dangerous trap.

For Michigan businesses, a single click can compromise an entire network. The best defense is regular employee awareness training combined with multi-factor authentication (MFA), so stolen credentials can’t be reused.

Insider Threats – Copper Harbor Ale

Not all threats come from outside. Insider threats, whether intentional or accidental, pose unique risks, particularly for industries like healthcare and finance where sensitive data is involved. The Copper Harbor Ale pairing reminds us that threats can come from “inside the harbor,” bypassing traditional defenses.

Mitigation strategies include limiting access to sensitive information, enforcing role-based permissions, and monitoring user activity to catch risky behavior early.

Data Breaches – OPE! Michigan Hopped IPA

Few things make business owners say “Ope!” like discovering customer or financial data has been exposed. Data breaches are costly and widespread, with IBM’s 2024 Cost of a Data Breach Report finding the global average breach cost climbed to $4.45 million.

The crisp bite of Michigan Hopped IPA mirrors the sharp sting of a breach that impacts reputation, compliance, and customer trust.

To avoid becoming a statistic, Michigan businesses should encrypt sensitive information, enforce strong password policies, and invest in continuous monitoring that identifies intrusions before they escalate.

Yeo & Yeo Technology: Keeping Michigan Businesses Safe Year-Round

Every cyberthreat on this list, from ransomware to data breaches, requires more than just software to stop. It takes the right mix of technology, processes, and people. That’s where Yeo & Yeo Technology comes in.

We help Michigan businesses stay protected with:

• Managed IT and cybersecurity services that monitor threats 24/7
• Advanced endpoint protection to block malware before it spreads
• Email security and training programs that reduce phishing risks
• Access controls and compliance support to prevent insider threats
• Data backup and recovery solutions that ensure ransomware never wins

With over 40 years of experience supporting Michigan businesses, our team provides the layered defenses you need to stay one step ahead of today’s most dangerous cyberthreats.

Take Action This Cybersecurity Awareness Month

Cybersecurity is everyone’s responsibility. As threats grow more sophisticated, now is the time to evaluate your defenses. How safe is your business from these threats? What vulnerabilities don’t you know about?

Schedule your complimentary cyber risk assessment today.

Our cybersecurity specialists will review your current posture and provide clear recommendations to protect your business. Raise a glass to security this Cybersecurity Awareness Month, because when your business is safe, every pour is a good one.