Think cyber security attacks only happen to big corporations? Many assume that sophisticated attacks primarily target giant organizations, but the reality is starkly different. According to the 2025 OpenText Cybersecurity Threat Report, small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) reported a higher percentage of incidents than larger enterprises in 2024. With increasing digital dependencies and evolving threats, it’s essential for SMBs to remain vigilant.
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Read on to learn about five surprising cyber security trends that could severely impact your organization. Whether you’re a startup founder or managing a family-owned operation, understanding these threats is crucial for protecting your future.
1. Cyber Security Trends: Ransomware — When Data Backup Isn’t Enough
Despite widespread adoption of backups among SMBs, shockingly 46% still ended up paying ransoms in 2024. Why? Because data backups do not equate ransomware immunity. Forget the old-school ransomware playbook. The traditional ransomware model involved encrypting your files and demanding payment for the decryption key. However, a troubling trend emerged in 2024: exfiltration-only attacks. Instead of locking your data, attackers steal it and threaten to leak it publicly. This approach is faster, sneakier and does just as much damage.
Why does this matter? While recovering lost data is vital, maintaining a stellar reputation is priceless. Restoring your data from backups doesn’t protect against the potential loss of customer trust. Reputational damage is the new form of ransom.
Pro Tip: Enforce data classification policies and regularly implement incident response drills. Ask: Who is involved? How fast can we react? Don’t have a incident response plan? Call us at 845-454-2027 for our incident response planning or “ransomware readiness” consultations.
2. Empower Your Team with Best Practices: From Weakest Link to Your Strongest Shield
Employee training can mean the difference between a secured system and an exploited weakness. The 2025 OpenText Cybersecurity Threat Report showed that SMBs utilizing endpoint protection software combined with security awareness programs and DNS filtering experienced up to 19.4% fewer infection rates.
This matters! Why? With advancements in AI, phishing attempts are becoming increasingly realistic. Employee education paramount to a secure office. Imagine receiving a phishing email designed to mimic your supplier. One ill-advised click could compromise your entire network.
What can you do? Participate in phishing simulation programs and strengthen your team’s defense mechanisms with support from netEffx. We can leverage the power of tools like MalwareBytes Premium to further protect your endpoints.
3. The Vendor Threat You Didn’t See Coming: Mitigating Threats from Third Parties
According to the Threat Report, a jaw-dropping 62% of ransomware attacks in 2024 originated from compromised vendors. Picture this scenario: A third-party file transfer tool used by your organization falls victim to a hack. Suddenly, your operations are disrupted, and you inherit the liability.
Pro Tip: You can’t secure what you don’t inspect. Have candid discussions about security policies with vendors to mitigate any complications. Better yet, partner with a service provider who proactively monitors third-party risk. Never overlook the significance of vetting your partners thoroughly.
What action should you take? Contact us to arrange a comprehensive cyber security assessment. Strengthen your defenses and ensure your entire ecosystem is secure.
4. Keeping Security Measures Up to Date: Patch, Or Be Punished
Many believe that state-of-the-art cyberattacks exploit unknown (“zero-day”) vulnerabilities. Yet, some of 2024’s worst breaches stemmed from known unpatched vulnerabilities and misconfigurations. Cybercriminals utilize automated tools to scan networks for outdated servers, Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP), and Virtual Private Network (VPN) devices.
The takeaway: It’s not always about zero-days. Sometimes it’s about zero follow-through. Patch management isn’t merely an IT responsibility; it’s a business imperative. Neglecting updates puts your entire infrastructure at risk.
Action Item: Outdated patches and configurations leave your systems vulnerable. Trust the experts at netEffx to manage, monitor and patch your systems efficiently with the power of Atera. Don’t let preventable weaknesses undermine your security. Contact us today to stay ahead of threats!
5. Modern Cyber Security Challenges: Safeguarding Identities & Cloud Environments
Cloud environments and identity management platforms (such as Okta and Microsoft’s Entera ID) are increasingly targeted. Misconfigurations and weak multi-factor authentication (MFA) settings allow attackers to gain access without tripping alarms.
Why this matters: Weak identity hygiene means attackers don’t need your password—they just need a misconfigured role.
How to protect yourself: Weak identity hygiene leaves your cloud environment susceptible. Our experts can guide you through enforcing robust multi-factor authentication and regular role audits. Ensure your identities and data remain secure. Use the form below to contact us now for personalized guidance.
Preparedness Is Power: Safeguarding Your SMB
The 2025 threat landscape isn’t just evolving—it’s accelerating. The question is no longer if your SMB will face cyberattacks — it’s how prepared are you when they happen? The truth of the matter is this: with the right combination of technology, training, and trusted partners, SMBs can punch way above their weight when it comes to cyber security. Call netEffx at 845-454-2027 or use the form below to schedule a cyber security checkup and discover how to better protect your valuable assets.
