Cyber Attacks on Small Businesses 2025: Costs, Risks & a Clear Defense Plan

• Rising risk: In 2024-2025, 40-72% of SMBs reported breaches, ransomware and phishing dominate.
• Incident costs: Losses range from thousands to millions median $8.3K per incident US study, IBM reports $3.3M average breach cost for small firms.
• Human factor: Most attacks exploit social engineering, credential theft, or misconfigurations.
• Impact: Even minor outages or leaks can cripple small businesses.
• Defense priorities:
  • Staff training & awareness
  • MFA, patching, and strong access policies
  • Regular data backups
  • Cyber insurance
  • Security assessments, pentesting, risk audits to uncover hidden vulnerabilities.

Cybersecurity is no longer just a big company issue, it's a top concern for small businesses. Studies show about 60% of SMB leaders now rank threats like phishing and ransomware as major concerns. In fact, a US Chamber of Commerce survey cited by IBM found 60% of small businesses consider cyberattacks their biggest threat. Yet many still underestimate their risk, some believe we’re too small to be targeted.

The data says otherwise. In 2023, about 41% of U.S. small businesses were hit by a cyberattack median cost $8,300, and in Canada roughly 72-73% of SMBs report having suffered an incident. Globally, IBM finds that 72% of organizations saw a ransomware attack in 2023.

This article breaks down the types of cyber attacks targeting small businesses, real world stats and examples, common myths, and actionable defenses with steps and checklists to help any SMB stay resilient in 2025 and beyond.

What Are Cyber Attacks on Small Businesses?

A cyber attack on a small business is any unauthorized attempt to access, damage, or steal data and systems belonging to a small or medium sized enterprise SMB. These can include:

• Ransomware: Malware that encrypts files and demands payment to unlock them.
• Phishing/Social Engineering: Deceptive emails, calls or messages tricking employees into giving up credentials or clicking malicious links.
• Malware/Data Theft: Viruses, spyware or trojans installed to steal passwords, financial data, or customer information.
• DDoS/Network Attacks: Flooding the network or exploiting vulnerabilities to take down websites or services.
• Insider Threats: Intentional or accidental breaches caused by employees or partners e.g. careless password sharing, or a disgruntled worker leaking data.

Why are SMBs targets? Small businesses often lack the deep IT budgets and security teams of large firms. Attackers know many SMBs have only basic defenses like simple firewalls and limited staff training. That makes them low hanging fruit.

As one security report notes, for hackers looking to collect $1 million in ransom, it’s often easier to demand $50,000 from 20 small businesses than to attack a large company. In short, small size does not guarantee safety in fact, it can make businesses even more appealing targets.

Why SMB Cybersecurity Matters in 2025

By 2025, cybercrime is a well established global epidemic. The Allianz Risk Barometer 2024 named cyber incidents as the #1 business risk worldwide. Generative AI and advanced toolkits have only amplified the threat. For small businesses, the stakes are high:

• Higher attack volumes: Global ransomware incidents grew 11% in 2024. Phishing campaigns set new records APWG counted 933,000 unique phishing attacks in Q3 2024, the highest volume in recent months. At the same time, exploit kits and zero days have made vulnerability exploitation a common initial access vector. Verizon found vulnerability exploits nearly tripled, accounting for 14% of breaches.
• Broad scope: In the U.S., 41% of small businesses were victims of a cyberattack in 2023. In Canada, 72-73% of SMBs report incidents. In the UK, about 50% of small firms faced an attack in the last year. These figures show that no region or industry is immune from retail stores to tech startups, hackers cast a wide net.

Significant impact:

• Even minor breaches can cripple an SMB. IBM reports the average cost of a data breach for companies under 500 employees was over $3.3 million in 2023. In smaller terms, the median reported by the US SBA was $8.3K but that number varies widely, with 5% of breaches costing more than $50K.
• Verizon’s DBIR found the median loss in a ransomware/BEC incident was $46,000. Many SMBs operate on thin margins, so losses of even a few thousand dollars or a day offline can be devastating. Indeed, surveys show 60-70% of SMB victims lose critical data, and over half have operations down for a day or more.

• Trust and survival: Reputation loss is another hidden cost. A cyber incident can mean exposed customer data or failed deliveries. Studies find roughly half of consumers say they’d abandon a company after a breach. Alarmingly, nearly 60% of attacked small businesses will go out of business within 6 months without recovery funding.

In short, the threat landscape has never been starker for SMBs. As the DeepStrike team advises clients, Attackers assume any connected business is a target. The data bears it out. In a 2024 survey, 60% of SMB leaders named phishing or ransomware among their top worries. Yet only a minority have concrete plans. This gap of high risk but low preparedness means vigilance is essential in 2025.

Major Cyber Threats Facing Small Businesses

Small businesses face many of the same threats as large enterprises, but with different patterns:

Ransomware & Extortion:

• By far the biggest threat. SMBs historically bear the brunt of ransomware attacks, roughly 70% of all ransomware attacks target smaller firms. In 2023, about 32% of small business breaches involved ransomware or extortion. Attackers often use double extortion tactics, encrypting data and also threatening to leak it. The median ransom/BEC loss is $46,000, which could sink an unprepared SMB.
• According to some statistics 55% of ransomware hit companies with <100 employees, and an average ransom demand might be only $5,900 ransomware gangs know SMBs can’t pay millions, but will pay a few thousand. Even beyond extortion, ransomware downtime is dire roughly half of SMBs hit by ransomware report being offline for 8-24 hours.

Phishing & Social Engineering:

• The single most common vector. Virtually every small business has been at least probed by phishers. In a 2024 UK survey, 85% of businesses that suffered a breach cited phishing as the culprit. Globally, APWG counted nearly 933k active phishing attacks in Q3 2024.
• Sophisticated BEC business email compromise scams are rising, many hackers now craft emails impersonating a CEO or vendor. A US survey found 68% of all SMB breaches involved a human non malicious error or social engineering. This includes employees clicking a malicious link, falling for a fake invoice, or disclosing credentials. Even one click can hand attackers the keys.

Malware & Data Theft:

• Aside from encryption, malware on SMB networks often focuses on theft. About 50% of malware found on small businesses is spyware or credential stealing trojans. Once credentials are stolen, attackers pivot to BEC or cloud account takeovers.
• SMBs often lack enterprise grade endpoint defenses, so any malicious download often via email or malicious ad can lead to keyloggers or backdoors. Case in point many small orgs run unsupported software or skip patches, making them vulnerable to drive by malware infections.

DDoS & Network Attacks:

• Data is limited, but several reports note a rise in even small scale DDoS on SMB websites or IoT devices in 2024. For example, an Australian study found many SMBs hit by denial of service attacks, often tied to hacktivist campaigns or competitor sabotage.
• Small businesses usually don’t have enterprise DDoS mitigation, so even a modest traffic flood can freeze an online shop or banking portal. Always ensure you have basic protection rate limiting, Cloudflare, etc. a little DDoS protection goes a long way.

Insider Threats:

• Not all attacks come from outside. Employees and partners can inadvertently or intentionally cause breaches. Industry data shows a non malicious human element mistake, social engineering success in about 68% of SMB breaches. For instance, someone might reuse a password, plug an infected USB drive into the network, or misconfigure a cloud folder to the public.
• Malicious insiders e.g. disgruntled ex-employees selling data also occur. Small companies often lack strict identity controls, so stolen or orphaned credentials are common. Training and off boarding processes are key to mitigate this risk.

Emerging Threats: Looking to 2025, new trends are amplifying risks for SMBs:

• AI Driven Attacks: Cybercriminals increasingly use generative AI to craft more convincing phishing emails or find bugs. Nearly half of business leaders in Mexico report seeing AI in attacks already. As AI tools become cheaper, small firms must assume attackers can automate tailored attacks at scale.
• Supply Chain and Third Party Risks: Many small companies are suppliers or service providers to larger ones. A weakness in their network can compromise the whole chain. One Verizon stat 15% of breaches involved third party or supplier networks. SMBs should vet partners and secure any APIs or data integrations even simple vendor portals can be attacked.
• IoT and Remote Work: Small businesses often use cloud services and IoT devices routers, smart printers, webcams. Unpatched home Wi Fi networks and consumer grade IoT can be exploited. The shift to hybrid work means home PC infections can cross into the company network. Basic network segmentation and device policies are now as important as office firewalls.

In summary, every small business should recognize it’s in the crosshairs. Historical taboos like we’re too small to matter are outdated. If anything, smaller ops are even easier prey in 2025.

Regional Snapshots: SMB Cyber attack Stats Worldwide

• North America US & Canada:
  • Attack rates are alarmingly high. The US Small Business Administration reported 41% of U.S. SMBs were victims in 2023, and the median loss per incident was about $8,300. Canada’s numbers are even higher. One Canadian study found 73% of small businesses faced an incident of phishing, malware, DDoS, etc.
  • Canadian SMBs admitted 61% had phishing attempts, 27% malware, 12% ransomware, etc.. According to CCTX, a Canadian cyber threat alliance, 72% of Canadian SMB leaders report being attacked in the past year. Even U.S. surveys show SMBs’ losses vary widely, most breaches cost under $10K, but a few catastrophic attacks can drain millions of dollars if data is exfiltrated or compliance fines hit.

• Europe & UK:
  • Many small firms have also been hit. UK government surveys NCSC indicate roughly half of all businesses, mostly small and micro businesses, suffered some breach in the past year. Phishing dominates the UK 2024 survey found 84-85% of breaches involved phishing or impersonation scams.
  • Fortunately, UK SMBs often report smaller losses average around £1,600-£3,500 per most disruptive incident, partly due to mandatory insurance or smaller scale. EU wide, ransomware and supply chain attacks are rising too, but specific small biz data vary by country. In general, Western European SMBs see similar patterns as North America, albeit often with stronger regulatory compliance GDPR, Cyber Essentials enforcing baseline security.

• Asia Pacific:
  • Statistics are patchier, but the trend is upward. For example, Australia’s federal cyber report notes A$55K average loss per SMB incident, and small firms accounted for a majority of cybercrime reports. Over 1,400 Business Email Compromise BEC cases hit Australian SMBs in 2023-24, averaging $55K each.
  • Many APAC small businesses are now targeted with localized phishing e.g. in regional languages and IoT botnets. Governments in Japan, Singapore, etc., are urging small companies to implement basic controls training, MFA, backups as attacks rise.

• Latin America:
  • Cybercrime is surging alongside general crime. In Mexico, a survey found 65% of businesses saw an increase in breaches in 2024. Many attacks exploit employees 68% of threats there were phishing or malware targeting staff accounts, and 40% involved malicious insiders.
  • Economic volatility and relatively low SMB security budgets make small businesses especially vulnerable. Similar trends are emerging in Brazil, Colombia, and elsewhere local language ransomware gangs are aggressively targeting SMBs.

• Other Regions:
  • In Australia/New Zealand, 90% of cybercrime reports come from SMEs companies with <$2M revenue, and the median loss per Australian SMB incident is around A$49.6K.
  • Africa and the Middle East have less data published, but global threat indices rank some countries there as high risk often due to low cybersecurity maturity. Across regions, the pattern is clear small businesses are under attack everywhere.

Impacts on Small Businesses

The consequences of a breach go well beyond the initial event:

Financial Losses:

• IEven modest attacks can drain finances. Verizon reports a median loss of $46K per SMB ransomware/BEC incident. A U.S. SBA survey found most SMBs lost <$10K, but 5% lost over $50K. Australia reports A$50K average loss per incident, and UK businesses average about £1,600-£3,550 per significant breach.
• With cleanup, downtime, and legal costs, many breaches easily exceed the ransom itself. Notably, IBM’s 2024 report found 95% of SMB breaches cost up to $650K, highlighting that a serious breach can be a catastrophic hit. For cash strapped SMBs, these losses can mean late payroll, missed deliveries, or even bankruptcy.

Downtime & Disruption:

• Money isn’t the only pain. In practice, the majority of small businesses hit by ransomware are offline days. One study noted 51% of SMB victims had their website/operations down for 8-24 hours, and 50% took more than a day to fully recover. Even 24 hours of downtime can be lethal for a small online retailer or service provider..
• During the COVID pandemic, many SMBs learned this the hard way when cyber incidents stalled remote work. Over half 51% of businesses report losing access to critical data or systems during an attack. And crashes hurt customer trust. One report showed 42% of attacks led to customers losing faith in the company. In short, downtime can be a death sentence for tiny companies.

Data Breaches & Reputation:

• Small businesses often handle customer data sales records, vendor contacts, sometimes health or payment info. Malware targeting SMBs is frequently data theft oriented, about half of SMB malware is spyware or keyloggers. Breached customer or employee data can lead to compliance fines GDPR, HIPAA, etc.
• And long term reputational damage. Surveys find 43% of SMBs lose sensitive data after an attack. Once news leaks of a hack, many consumers say they’d stop doing business with that company. The fallout isn’t just dollars, but trust which is hard to rebuild for a local shop.

Long Term Trends Year over year, the SMB threat picture is getting worse. The 2024 Verizon DBIR shows that vulnerability exploits as initial access roughly tripled. APWG reports phishing at all time highs. Ransomware remains pervasive and growing 11% more incidents in 2024. Meanwhile, many SMBs remain underprepared.

Up to half have no formal incident response plan, and many falsely believe they’re not targets. Unfortunately, with each passing year, hackers refine their tools. In 2025, we’ll see more double extortion, encrypt & leak, more AI powered spear phishing, and more breaches via compromised cloud services.

All these figures paint a clear picture, small business must not equal soft targets. Global cyber surveys agree SMBs are a critical weak link in many supply chains, and governments CISA, NCSC, etc. are prioritizing small business outreach. The time for complacency is past.

Protecting Your Small Business: Key Strategies

Given the stakes, small businesses need practical defenses. Here are core strategies, with pointers on how to implement them including links to detailed guides and services:

Educate and Train Employees:

• Since human error is involved in 68% of breaches, staff training is first line defense. Conducting regular phishing awareness training teaches everyone to spot suspicious emails, verify vendor requests, and never reuse passwords. Create a clear security policy e.g. no plugging random USB drives, immediate reporting of odd emails.
• Even a one time class helps, but ongoing drills are better. According to one Canadian poll, only 2 in 5 small firms had done any cybersecurity training aimed to do more. For example, use phishing attack trends and statistics to show how hackers operate, and share password security statistics to emphasize strong credentials. Consider turnkey employee training services or security posters in the office.

Harden Access Controls:

• Require strong passwords and MFA for all business systems email, VPN, admin accounts. According to security surveys, multi factor authentication MFA can block 99.9% of automated attacks, yet many SMBs haven’t enabled it on everything.
• Implement a password policy template that enforces complex passwords or passphrases, changed regularly. Use MFA via authenticator apps or hardware tokens especially on critical accounts work email, bank, cloud storage. Also apply the principle of least privilege to grant employees the minimum access they need. Disable or delete old accounts when people leave.

Patch and Update Regularly:

• One of the simplest yet most neglected steps is keeping software current. Enable automatic updates on operating systems, browsers, and antivirus. This prevents attackers from exploiting known vulnerabilities Verizon found exploited vulnerabilities jumped dramatically in 2024.
• For example, if you use an older Windows or network device, apply security patches immediately and hack tools that break in new exploits are sold on the dark web. Set a monthly patch day to review updates for servers, routers, and even IoT devices printers, cameras, etc.. Modern operating systems will push critical fixes, but also track third party apps Adobe, Java, etc. that often slip through.

Secure Your Network:

• Protect your Wi Fi and network by changing default passwords on routers, using strong Wi Fi encryption, and segmenting guest networks. Use a firewall, even a home router firewall to block unwanted traffic. If you host a website or public services, consider a cloudflare or external firewall.
• Also, limit open ports for example, close RDP unless absolutely needed and route it through VPN. For remote employees, require secure connections VPN or Microsoft/Google managed devices. Check out tips from Cloud Security Compliance to ensure data in cloud services is encrypted and access is controlled.

Backup and Recovery Plan:

• In case of ransomware or data loss, having good backups is a lifesaver. Follow the 3 2 1 rule to keep 3 copies of data, on 2 different media, with 1 off site or in the cloud. Regularly test that backups can be restored. For example, schedule daily or weekly backups of critical data to an encrypted cloud storage like Backblaze, Acronis, or Veeam.
• Keep at least one offline backup external disk not connected to the network in case malware tries to encrypt online copies. Also draft an incident response plan who does what if you detect a breach, contact IT, inform customers, etc.. The goal is to minimize downtime and data loss. Some SMBs partner with a Managed Service Provider MSP for continuous backup monitoring.

Perform Assessments and Testing:

• You wouldn’t finance a project without an audit. Think of a penetration test as a security audit. Hire a professional to simulate attacks on your network and applications, identifying vulnerabilities before hackers do. Regular penetration testing services can dramatically reduce risk. Even a one time check for example, black box external tests can reveal misconfigurations like an exposed admin panelIf the budget is tight, at minimum run vulnerability scans free tools like OWASP ZAP for web apps or open source network scanners.
• Compare that with a deep dive by experts. We discuss vulnerability assessment vs penetration testing in detail, but in short pen tests actively exploit to prove impact. Ensuring compliance SOC2, PCI DSS, HIPAA, etc. often requires testing, see our guides SOC 2 penetration testing requirements, HIPAA penetration testing checklist if relevant to your industry. Pen testing costs for SMBs vary, but it’s an investment, catching one critical flaw early could save you much more later.

Use Reputable Security Tools:

• Install endpoint protection EDR/antivirus on all work computers and servers, and keep them updated. Use corporate email filters often included in Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace to block spam and malicious attachments. If you have remote workers, consider a unified security solution like Microsoft Defender for Business or a lightweight EDR agent that can isolate threats. For web/email, enable SPF, DKIM, and DMARC on your domain to thwart spoofed emails.
• Enable ad blockers or DNS filtering to avoid malvertising. If you use cloud apps AWS, Azure, apply a Cloud Security Posture Management CSPM tool to detect misconfigurations though SMBs often start with free cloud consoles and security checks. The key is to buy only as needed no magical all in one solution exists. Focus on basics like firewalls, updates, and monitoring.

Implement Multi Layered Defense:

• Think in layers to protect the perimeter firewall, email gateway, the endpoints workstations, mobiles, and the crown jewels servers, cloud apps. For example, use multi factor authentication perimeter, device encryption and anti malware on endpoints, and encrypt sensitive data in storage. Use a VPN for remote access.
• Regularly monitor logs and pay attention to unusual login attempts or unknown devices. Solutions like a simple SIEM security event management tool or even cloud log dashboards can highlight anomalies. You can also outsource this via a Security Operations Center SOC or buy a managed EDR license many vendors offer SMB tier services.

Cyber Insurance Optional:

• Many insurers now require certain practices like yearly penetration testing and an incident response plan before offering a policy. Having cyber insurance can mitigate costs of a breach, but it should not replace good security. Consider it after implementing core defenses. Note that in 2024 policy changes, insurers may mandate a pen test penetration testing for cyber insurance eligibility and proof of backups.
• Research policies like TechInsurance or Lloyd’s that cater to SMBs. If you already have coverage, confirm it covers cybercrime, some only cover physical theft. Trending data show cyber insurance claims rising, but insurers remain careful about paying out if you didn’t follow basic hygiene like patching.

Overall, the strategy is to make attacks as difficult as possible. The goal isn’t perfection, no one is 100% safe, but risk reduction. Even simple steps like staff education and a good backup regimen can thwart the majority of SMB incidents.

5 Steps to Build a Small Business Cybersecurity Plan

1. Assess Your Risks: Inventory your digital assets computers, servers, cloud data, IoT devices. Identify where sensitive data lives. Then do a formal cybersecurity risk assessment for small businesses. This can be a self audit using the NIST Cybersecurity Framework small business version or a consultant’s report. Include supply chain risks e.g. vendors’ access.
2. Train Employees: Educate everyone on cybersecurity basics. Use a short checklist e.g. cybersecurity training for employees program covering email phishing, password policies, and device security. Encourage a culture where staff ask before clicking anything suspicious.
3. Enforce Strong Access Controls: Implement MFA on all important accounts email, cloud, VPN. Use unique strong passwords and consider a password manager. If you have a small IT team, adopt a cloud identity provider Okta, Google Workspace to centrally manage logins.
4. Deploy Technical Defenses: Install anti malware software on all endpoints. Keep software and firmware up to date. Use a firewall on your network and enable network encryption WPA3 for Wi Fi. Back up business data daily to an external service or device.
5. Test and Respond: Conduct regular security tests vulnerability scans or penetration testing for startups and SMBs. Drill your incident response plan, even a tabletop exercise so everyone knows whom to call if an attack is detected. Keep an Incident Action checklist disconnect from the internet, evaluate damage, notify stakeholders including law enforcement if needed.

By following these steps and linking to deeper resources like penetration testing services, SMBs can create a living, actionable cybersecurity plan. Treat the plan as a cycle, review it yearly and after any major change like a new service or hire. A practical plan, even if basic, makes all the difference when an attack strikes.

Cyber threats in 2025 are relentless, and small businesses cannot afford complacency. Ransomware and phishing continue to rise, exploiting every gap. The impact on an SMB from lost income to ruined reputation can be devastating.

However, by acknowledging the risk and taking concrete steps, SMBs can dramatically reduce their exposure. At a minimum, educate employees, enforce MFA and backups, and periodically test your defenses e.g. with penetration testing services. A small investment in security today can save your livelihood tomorrow.

Ready to strengthen your defenses? The threats of 2025 demand more than just awareness, they require readiness. If you're looking to validate your security posture, identify hidden risks, or build a resilient defense strategy, DeepStrike is here to help. Our team of practitioners provides clear, actionable guidance to protect your business.

Explore our penetration testing services to see how we can uncover vulnerabilities before attackers do. Drop us a line we’re always ready to dive in.

About the Author: Mohammed Khalil is a Cybersecurity Architect at DeepStrike, specializing in advanced penetration testing and offensive security. With certifications including CISSP, OSCP, and OSWE, he has led red team engagements for Fortune 500 companies, focusing on cloud security, application vulnerabilities, and adversary emulation. His work involves dissecting complex attack chains and developing resilient defense strategies for clients across finance, healthcare, and technology.

FAQs

• How common are cyber attacks on small businesses?

Very common. Surveys indicate around 40-72% of small businesses have experienced a breach or incident in the past year. For example, a 2023 Hiscox study found 41% of U.S. SMBs were attacked. Canadian data shows roughly 73% of small firms had incidents of phishing, malware, etc.. Given these figures, it’s safer to assume your business will face an attack without proper defenses.

• What types of cyber threats do small businesses face?

The most common are phishing/social engineering, ransomware, and malware/data theft. Phishing is by far the top vector UK data says 85% of SMB breaches involved phishing. Ransomware is also major, roughly one third of small business breaches involve it. Other threats include DDoS on your website, theft of credentials sold on the dark web, or even insider mistakes. Attackers adapt fast, so today’s trends might include AI powered phishing or IoT botnets.

• How much does a cyber attack cost on average for a small business?

Costs vary widely. U.S. SMBs report median breach losses around $8-10K, but 5% of SMB breaches exceeded $50K. IBM’s 2023 data shows average SMB breach costs of $3.3 million for companies under 500 employees including stealthy recovery efforts. A common stat from Verizon is a $46,000 median loss in a ransomware/BEC breach. Besides ransom, considering downtime, lost sales, and reputational damage, small firms can’t afford weeks of outage or legal fines for leaked data.

• What steps can small businesses take to prevent cyber attacks?

There is no silver bullet, but focus on layered security. Employee training recognizes phishing, enforce strong passwords, MFA and password policies, regular patching, and backups. Limit user privileges and segment networks e.g. separate guest Wi Fi. Use reputable endpoint protection and secure your email spam filters, SPF/DKIM. Perform an annual cybersecurity risk assessment for small businesses to find weak spots. Consider penetration testing services or managed security services to get expert help. Basic firewall and antivirus plus good backups can stop many attacks, while cyber insurance can cover residual costs.

• Should a small business get a penetration test?

Yes, a pen test is like a health check for your security. It uncovers vulnerabilities before attackers do. For many SMBs, meeting security standards e.g. for cyber insurance or compliance actually requires a test. A one time test can highlight misconfigurations such as open ports or outdated software. Even if you lack resources for full pen tests, a vulnerability assessment is a start. Think of it this way spending a few thousand on a test is often far cheaper than recovering from a breach.

• Is cyber insurance worth it for a small business?

Cyber insurance can be valuable if you’ve implemented basic security measures. Without it, an attack could wipe out your cash reserves. Policies often cover ransom payments, legal fees, and recovery costs. However, insurers typically require you to follow best practices like regular backups and testing. You should compare quotes, some policies are priced per user or per device. If you handle customer data or use online payments, insurance is recommended. Before buying, read the fine print. Some only pay if you had a documented cybersecurity program in place at the time of attack.

• Why do hackers target small businesses?

Because it’s profitable and comparatively easy. Small businesses often have fewer defenses than large corporations. Attackers can use stolen credentials, broad phishing campaigns, or automated tools to hit many SMBs at once. If just a few pay up even $5,000 each, criminals make good money. Small firms are seen as the weak links in supply chains breaching one small vendor can be a stepping stone into bigger partners. The data is clear about 60% of cyberattacks in recent years were aimed at SMBs. Even if your business seems obscure, you likely have email accounts, cloud storage, or financial info that hackers can exploit.