What Small to Midsized Businesses Should Know About the Latest Cyber Threats

Cyber threats are evolving faster than ever, and small to midsize businesses (SMBs) are increasingly in the crosshairs. Nearly 43% of cyberattacks target small businesses not because they hold less valuable data, but because attackers know they often have fewer defenses in place rendering them easier to hack.

That’s why staying informed isn’t optional anymore, it’s essential. Continuing reading about the latest cyber threats to SMBs, we break down the most pressing cybersecurity risks, why they matter, and what your business can do to stay protected.

1. Phishing Campaigns Are Getting More Sophisticated

Phishing remains one of the top ways cybercriminals gain access to business networks, although it’s no longer just poorly written emails with obvious red flags.

Recent trend:
Attackers are now impersonating trusted vendors, banks, or even internal company contacts. These phishing attempts often use lookalike domains or compromised legitimate accounts to appear authentic.

Why it matters for SMBs:
Smaller teams are often stretched thin, which makes them prime targets for deceptive messages that slip through the cracks.

How to stay protected:

• Train employees regularly on how to spot phishing attempts.
  
  
• Use email filtering and domain authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC).
  
  
• Encourage employees to report suspicious emails immediately.
  
  

2. Rise in Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS)

Ransomware isn’t new, but its business model has changed. Now, cybercriminals can purchase or rent ransomware kits online, lowering the barrier for attackers with little technical knowledge.

Recent trend:
RaaS groups are increasingly targeting supply chains and service providers, allowing them to impact many businesses at once.

Why it matters for SMBs:
Even if your company isn’t the primary target, being connected to a compromised vendor or partner can expose your data.

How to stay protected:

• Back up critical data regularly and store it offline.
  
  
• Segment your network to limit the spread of ransomware.
  
  
• Keep systems and software updated with the latest security patches.
  
  

3. AI-Powered Attacks Are on the Rise

With the rapid advancement of AI tools, attackers now have more powerful ways to create convincing scams and automate attacks at scale.

Recent trend:
Deepfake audio and video impersonations, as well as AI-generated spear-phishing messages, are becoming more common.

Why it matters for SMBs:
Attackers no longer need large budgets to carry out sophisticated scams. A single deepfake voicemail “from the CEO” could trick employees into transferring funds or sharing credentials.

How to stay protected:

• Implement strong identity verification processes for financial or sensitive requests.
  
  
• Use MFA (multi-factor authentication) across all business systems.
  
  
• Educate employees about deepfake and AI-based social engineering tactics.
  
  

4. Unsecured Remote Work Setups Remain a Weak Point

Even years after the pandemic, many SMBs rely on hybrid or fully remote work models. Unfortunately, many remote devices still lack proper security controls, making them easy entry points for attackers.

Recent trend:
Cybercriminals exploit unpatched personal devices, unsecured home Wi-Fi, and weak passwords to gain access.

Why it matters for SMBs:
A single unsecured laptop can compromise your entire network.

How to stay protected:

• Enforce the use of VPNs and secure Wi-Fi connections.
  
  
• Require regular software updates and endpoint security on all remote devices.
  
  
• Establish clear security policies for remote employees.
  
  

5. Credential Theft Is Fueling Data Breaches

Stolen or weak passwords remain one of the most common causes of data breaches. Attackers use credential-stuffing attacks to exploit reused passwords across multiple accounts.

Recent trend:
More attackers are using automated bots to test thousands of stolen credentials quickly.

Why it matters for SMBs:
Smaller companies often lack advanced detection tools, making these attacks harder to spot.

How to stay protected:

• Require MFA for all accounts.
  
  
• Use password managers to encourage strong, unique passwords.
  
  
• Monitor for compromised credentials on the dark web.
  
  

6. Industry-Specific Threats Are Growing

Attackers are becoming more strategic, targeting industries like healthcare, manufacturing, legal, and finance that often store sensitive data.

Recent trend:
Targeted attacks are replacing broad “spray and pray” tactics, making them harder to detect.

Why it matters for SMBs:
A single breach can lead to regulatory fines, reputational damage, and lost client trust.

How to stay protected:

• Know your industry’s most common attack types.
  
  
• Implement compliance-focused security measures.
  
  
• Work with a trusted IT partner to keep your defenses up to date.
  
  

What SMBs Can Do Right Now

Cybersecurity threats are constantly evolving, but so can your defenses. A few key steps can make a major difference:

• Stay informed. Subscribe to threat intelligence updates or work with a managed IT provider that monitors threats for you.
  
  
• Prioritize employee training. Humans are often the first line of defense.
  
  
• Invest in layered security. Firewalls, endpoint protection, MFA, and backups work best together.
  
  
• Have an incident response plan. The faster you respond, the less damage an attack can cause.
  
  

Final Thought: Awareness Is Your First Line of Defense

Cyber threats will never stop evolving, but neither will your ability to defend against them. By staying aware of current trends and putting proactive security measures in place, SMBs can drastically reduce their risk.

At Superior Managed IT, we help businesses stay ahead of cybercriminals through real-time monitoring, proactive defenses, and expert support. If you want to strengthen your cybersecurity posture, we’re here to help.