What Small Businesses Can Do to Reduce Cyber Risk

The Myth: Cyber Criminals Only Target Big Companies

It’s easy to think your business is safe when you aren’t aware of the impact a hacker can have on your company. The stories that are sensationalised in the news are often the ones that don’t apply to SME’s. How does an attack on JLR apply to you?

However, hackers don’t always prioritise the size of a brand. Smaller hackers focus on ease, and if your SME’s cyber security isn’t up to scratch, you may be making yourself a target. Read on to learn about the SME cyber security risks you may face.

Why Small Businesses Are More Attractive to Attackers

Cyber attacks on small businesses are more common than you think. In 2025, 50% of small businesses and 67% of medium businesses identified breaches or attacks. So, why are SMEs so heavily targeted?

• Limited cyber security budgets: limited budgets means that cyber security for small to medium businesses can often be minimal, leaving bases uncovered.
• Fewer in house IT specialists: a lower budget also means an SME may not have anyone in house monitoring their IT system.
• Reliance on outdated systems: upgrading your cyber security can be expensive. However, avoiding updates can become a huge cyber security risk for SMEs.
• Lower detection and response capability: SMEs often rely on cheaper, “one size fits all” solutions that leave openings for hackers.

The Most Common Cyber Attacks Affecting Small Businesses

• Phishing emails: 85% of businesses experienced phishing emails in 2025. SMEs are more likely to fall for this kind of attack due to less resources and employee training.
• Ransomware attacks: ransomware is when your data is stolen, encrypted, and kept from you until a ransom is paid. SMEs are more likely to fall into the trap of paying the ransom due to a lack of backups and no response plan (never pay the ransom in this type of attack!).
• Stolen or weak passwords: SMEs are less likely to have basic cyber hygiene (such as strong passwords) due to a lack of enforcement amongst their staff.
• Unsecured remote working and cloud services: it’s a common assumption that cloud providers handle all security, leading to misconfigured settings and unencrypted data. This can lead to unsecured remote working and huge vulnerabilities in their system

What a Cyber Attack Really Costs a Small Business

An attack can cripple a larger business, but for an SME, an attack has the potential to cost everything.

• Downtime: if an attack is severe, it can halt business operations completely
• Data loss: SMEs are less likely to have secure, consistent backups, making data loss a huge risk during an attack.
• Recovery costs: although larger businesses suffer from larger recovery costs, SMEs feel the stress of recovery more. 
• GDPR fines: if the cyber attack is severe and the correct precautions were not taken, you may be required to pay fines.
• Reputational damage: without a strong brand, customers are less likely to overlook something as serious as a cyber attack or data leak. This may cause them to leave for competitors they view as more secure.

Why Many Cyber Attacks Go Undetected in SMEs

• No 24/7 monitoring: 24/7 monitoring should be standard for cyber security for SMEs. Without it, attacks go undetected until it’s too late. 
• Attacks sitting dormant: attacks that have made their way into your system may sit dormant for months undetected gathering data until it’s time to strike.
• Lack of visibility into logs and alerts: limited resources may lead to blind spots in your system, meaning that attacks can go unnoticed.

How Cyber Criminals Gain Access to Small Business Systems

• Phishing links: lack of employee training can lead to staff unknowingly giving in to phishing scams.
• Compromised passwords: with less enforcement on basic cyber hygiene, weak passwords are a huge threat to SMEs.
• Unpatched software: SMEs are less likely to patch their software, meaning they are more likely to open themselves up to vulnerabilities.
• Unsecured Wi-Fi and Remote Access: hackers can use Wi-Fi and remote access to quietly intercept or alter data.

What Small Businesses Can Do to Reduce Cyber Risk

• Staff awareness training: never underestimate the human firewall! Train your staff on proper cyber security processes.
• Multi Factor Authentication (MFA): if your passwords are leaked, MFA can keep your systems safe and give you a heads up on an attempted hack.
• Regular patching/updates: ensure all of your devices and software are runn8ing on the latest versions. Updates and patches are there to cover up vulnerabilities.
• Backups and disaster recovery: you can’t predict the future. Ensure your SME has outlined cyber security solutions, such as regularly scheduled backups and disaster recovery plans.
• Managed cyber security services: an MSP may have more know how when it comes to cyber threats to SMEs. It’s always best to rely on the professionals. Take a look at our cyber security services here!

Why Cyber Security Is No Longer Optional for Small Businesses

• Regulatory pressure: no matter what industry you’re in, there are specific laws that require you to have basic data protection principles in place. This is to protect you, your clients, and anyone else in the supply chain.
• Remote working: with the rise of remote working in recent years, it is essential for businesses to ensure their systems are prepared for this modern threat.
• Increasing attack frequency: hackers are no longer limited to cyber geniuses. With the rise of AI, anyone can easily get past weak security and steal data.

Is Your Business Prepared for a Cyber Attack?

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by cyber security. There’s a lot to cover, and high risk if you don’t.

Many small businesses only discover their weaknesses after an attack. A proactive cyber security review can help identify gaps before they’re exploited.  Give us a call on 01922 612387, or email at info@vibrant-networks.co.uk.