The Top 5 Cybersecurity Threats Small Businesses Face

Cybersecurity isn’t just a concern for big corporations – small businesses are increasingly becoming prime targets for cybercriminals. In fact, 43% of cyberattacks are aimed at small businesses, yet many owners assume their company is “too small” to be noticed. Unfortunately, this misconception leaves many without adequate protection.

With sensitive customer data, financial information, and daily operations at risk, even a single breach can be costly and damaging. To help you stay ahead, here are the top five cybersecurity threats small businesses face – and how to guard against them.

1. Phishing Attacks

Phishing remains the most common threat for small businesses. Cybercriminals send emails or messages that appear to come from trusted sources, tricking employees into clicking malicious links or sharing sensitive information like login credentials.

The danger lies in how convincing these attacks can be, with emails often mimicking banks, suppliers, or even internal staff. Once a hacker gains access to your system, they can steal data, redirect payments, or install malware.

What you can do: Provide staff training to help spot suspicious emails, implement email filtering software, and use multi-factor authentication (MFA) to reduce the damage if an account is compromised.

2. Ransomware

Ransomware is malicious software that locks you out of your files or systems until you pay a ransom. Small businesses are particularly vulnerable because attackers know they may not have robust backup solutions in place.

The financial impact can be devastating, with downtime, lost data, and potential fines if sensitive information is leaked. Even if you pay the ransom, there’s no guarantee you’ll regain access to your data.

What you can do: Regularly back up your data to secure, off-site locations, keep software up to date, and use reputable antivirus and endpoint protection solutions.

3. Weak Passwords

Weak or reused passwords are a cybercriminal’s dream. Many small businesses still rely on simple, easy-to-guess passwords, making it far too easy for hackers to gain access.

Once an attacker gets into one account, they can often use the same password to access multiple systems – from emails to financial accounts.

What you can do: Enforce strong password policies, encourage the use of password managers, and implement MFA wherever possible to add an extra layer of security.

4. Insider Threats

Not all cybersecurity threats come from outside your business. Sometimes, employees – intentionally or accidentally – can put your systems at risk. This might be through clicking on malicious links, mismanaging data, or even stealing sensitive information.

Insider threats are particularly difficult to detect because the individuals already have access to your systems and data.

What you can do: Limit employee access to only the data and systems they need, provide regular training on best practices, and monitor for unusual activity.

5. Outdated Software and Systems

Using outdated software, operating systems, or hardware can leave your business exposed to known vulnerabilities. Cybercriminals actively exploit weaknesses in old systems that no longer receive updates or security patches.

For example, businesses still using unsupported operating systems like Windows 7 are at significant risk because any new vulnerabilities will remain unpatched.

What you can do: Keep all software and hardware up to date, enable automatic updates where possible, and work with an IT support provider to ensure your systems are patched and secure.

Cybersecurity may seem overwhelming, but tackling these five common threats can drastically reduce your risk. Phishing, ransomware, weak passwords, insider threats, and outdated software are challenges that every small business can face – but with the right precautions, they don’t have to become disasters.

Proactive training, regular updates, and robust security solutions are essential steps to keeping your business safe. If you’re unsure where to start, Forth Tech can help assess your current systems and put the right protections in place to keep your data secure.

To find out more, call our team on 0333 9000 100 or email info@forthtech.co.uk.