Cybercriminals are constantly adapting their strategies to exploit vulnerabilities in businesses, and 2025 was no exception. While larger businesses were once the prime targets for hackers due to their bigger budgets, 2025 saw a shift. Small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) became the primary targets, with cybercriminals turning their attention to these organisations after facing tougher defences from larger firms. The motivation for this shift is simple: SMBs have fewer resources for cybersecurity, making them easier and more reliable targets. Research from the Data Breach Observatory reveals that in 2025, SMBs accounted for 70.5% of all data breaches, showing a significant rise in attacks on smaller businesses.
Notable breaches from 2025 included attacks on Tracelo, an American mobile geolocation company, which saw over 1.4 million customer records stolen; PhoneMondo, a German telecom firm, which had over 10.5 million records stolen; and SkilloVilla, an Indian edtech platform, which faced a breach that exposed over 33 million records. These attacks highlight an alarming trend: personal data such as names, phone numbers, email addresses, and passwords are frequently compromised, often leading to phishing attacks targeting employees.
What we can learn from 2025’s data breaches is that cybercriminals are increasingly targeting SMBs, especially those in retail, technology, and media. The breach of personal information, like names and email addresses, leaves businesses vulnerable to further attacks. It’s clear that hackers will continue focusing on SMBs in 2026. While your business may face a higher risk of a breach, there are steps you can take to protect yourself.
To avoid becoming a target in 2026, SMBs need to prioritise cybersecurity, and there are several strategies that can help. First, two-factor authentication (2FA) should be implemented across all business tools to make it harder for hackers to access your systems. With 2FA, an additional layer of protection , like a one-time code or a biometric scan is required, making it much harder for cybercriminals to gain unauthorised access.
Another important measure is securing access control within your business. Using the principle of least privilege, employees should only have access to the data and tools they need for their specific roles. Restricting access reduces the number of possible entry points for attackers. Strong password hygiene is essential here: ensure employees use strong, unique passwords and change them regularly. Additionally, it’s vital to scan for any potential data leaks on the dark web.
Finally, it’s crucial to store sensitive data securely. Leaked passwords or email addresses can lead to devastating phishing attacks. A secure password manager can help you store and share credentials safely, generate strong passwords, and ensure compliance with your business’s password policy. This tool can also help safeguard critical access points and prevent your data from being compromised.
In conclusion, while SMBs are increasingly under threat, the right cybersecurity practices , like implementing 2FA, securing access, and using a password manager ,can significantly reduce the risk of a breach. By taking proactive measures, businesses can stay one step ahead of cybercriminals in 2026.
Author:Oje.Ese