Why Cybersecurity is a Critical Tool for Small Businesses across the Country — Now more than ever!

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Written By Cate Urban

For many small business owners, cybersecurity can feel inconsequential. After all, why would cybercriminals want to attack a small business when bigger corporations, with a bigger payoff, is there for the taking?

Cybersecurity Statistic

But today’s digital landscape tells a different story. From ransomware attacks to phishing scams, cyberthieves increasingly target small businesses precisely because they often have fewer defenses in place. According to a cybersecurity report for small businesses published by Guardz, in 2025 approximately 50% of US-based small businesses experienced a cyberattack. This is a 47% year-over-year increase. In an era where every business has gone digital, cybersecurity is no longer optional. Cybercriminals are now attacking vulnerable small businesses at an alarming rate. Let’s take a deep dive into the cybersecurity landscape for small businesses.

Before we dive into the numbers, let’s take a brief look at some of the more famous cyberattacks on small businesses.

Green Ford Sales – In 2010, Kansas based auto company Green Ford Sales was hit with a Zeus Trojan malware attack. The company lost a total of $63,000. The attack was activated when the company accountant submitted payroll through their bank’s online website.

Patco Construction – Back in 2009, cybercriminals, posing as Patco account holders, withdrew close to $600,000 dollars. The bank was able to block some of the transactions, but Patco eventually lost $388,000. Attackers used the infamous Zeus Trojan malware for their attack. This attack was unusual because the cybercriminals were able to successfully answer Patco’s security questions.

cybersecurity statistic

Attacks on small businesses can be uniquely devastating as they do not always have the funds to fully recover from a cyberattack. While Green Ford Sales and Patco were able to survive the attacks, countless other family-owned businesses do not make it. According to Verizon, 60% of small businesses that experience a cyberattack do not stay in business. According to a Mastercard-sponsored study, average loss per breach is $120,000. The study also states that one in five small businesses that suffered a breach had to close or file bankruptcy. Only 34% of small businesses have a formal incident response plan.

Now that we’ve seen what can happen, let’s take a look at how these attacks happen and what you can do to prevent them.

‍The most common primary threat vectors are ransomware, AI-enabled attacks, and malware. While smaller businesses are 40% less likely to have data encrypted, they are at least 10% more likely to face extortion than a larger business. As is the theme of modern life, AI-enabled attacks are on the rise. AI attacks increased 47% in 2025. These attacks are also harder to detect. Ransomware and phishing dominate the small business cyber threat landscape, often exploiting known vulnerabilities and poor security configurations. A lesser known but equally deadly attack known as man-in-middle attacks, can make it easier for cybercriminals to find vulnerabilities in your network. This can be done through rogue access points. A rouge access point is any wireless device plugged into your network without proper configuration or approval. 

‍So how can you protect your small business from cyber-attacks?

Most cybersecurity firms offer pen testing and/or compromise assessment. You can also look at products that help keep your business safe. The DopeScope 2.0, developed by WarCollar Industries LLC, helps identify rogue access points in your network. The DopeScope 2.0 is a directional Wi-Fi Sniffing device that fits in the palm of your hand.

Cybersecurity and intelligence firms like WarCollar can help create a robust offense and defense against this rising threat. WarCollar Industries LLC offers cybersecurity and intelligence services from an innovative team of cybersecurity experts. We offer services for large, middle, and/or small businesses.

‍Pen Testing: Pen Testing uses real-world tactics, techniques, and procedures to create cyber-attack simulation to test the effectiveness of your IT security defenses, policies, and staff. WarCollar will assess your Information Security defenses by combining multiple testing strategies into a comprehensive offensive engagement, with the sole objective of gaining access to critical assets.

‍Compromise Assessments: WarCollar takes a proactive approach to cybersecurity that aims to identify, understand, and mitigate threats to organizations, individuals, and governments. Our skilled team provides high-level investigations using advanced tools to identify ongoing or past attacker activity in addition to identifying existing weaknesses in controls and practices. Our assessment will help reduce the security risk of attackers stealing financial assets, customer data or intellectual property.

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If you are a small business concerned you’re not doing enough to protect your company from cybercriminals, we’d like to know a little more about you.

Cate Urban

I founded Urban Web Renovations after 11 years of leading global marketing strategies for nonprofit organizations in Washington, DC. In each position I held, one thing remained the same – my passion for managing web sites and social media accounts for both organizations and major thought leaders.

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