A security baseline is the minimum set of security measures every organisation should have in place. For startups, this is your first line of defence against data breaches, ransomware and unauthorised access. Getting the basics right prevents the vast majority of common attacks — you do not need enterprise-grade security from day one, but you do need the fundamentals.
Essential measures to implement:
- Multi-factor authentication (MFA): Enable MFA on all critical accounts — email, cloud console, code repositories, admin panels. This single measure blocks most credential-based attacks.
- Encryption: Encrypt data at rest (database encryption, encrypted disk volumes) and in transit (TLS/HTTPS everywhere). Most cloud providers offer this by default — verify it is enabled.
- Access control: Follow the principle of least privilege. Only grant access that people actually need. Review permissions quarterly and revoke access for departing team members immediately.
- Logging and monitoring: Enable audit logs on your cloud platform, application and database. Set up alerts for failed login attempts, privilege escalation and unusual data access patterns.
- Patch management: Keep your operating systems, frameworks and dependencies up to date. Enable automated security updates where possible and use tools like Dependabot for dependency monitoring.
- Backup and recovery: Set up automated backups with a tested restore procedure. Follow the 3-2-1 rule: 3 copies, 2 different media, 1 offsite.
The NCSC basic measures provide a concrete checklist tailored to the Dutch context. Tidal Control helps you implement these measures as trackable controls and monitors their status as part of your information security management system.