For years, headlines have focused on major breaches at corporations and governments, but cybercriminals are increasingly turning their attention to small businesses. Limited budgets, lack of dedicated IT teams, and outdated software make these companies easy targets. Attackers often exploit human error, using phishing emails, social engineering, and even phone scams to gain access to systems. Once inside, they can steal sensitive customer information, financial records, or even intellectual property. According to a 2024 cybersecurity report, nearly 43% of all cyberattacks target small businesses, and nearly 60% of attacked businesses shut down within six months due to financial or reputational damage. One common misconception is that cybercriminals only go after companies with high revenue. In reality, small businesses are seen as low-hanging fruit: fewer defenses and less monitoring mean a higher chance of success with minimal effort. Even industries like local retail, restaurants, or service providers are vulnerable if they store any digital records or run online services. To defend against these threats, small businesses should consider the following steps: 1. **Multi-factor authentication (MFA):** Always enable MFA for email, cloud services, and payment systems. 2. **Regular software updates:** Ensure operating systems, applications, and plugins are kept up-to-date to patch known vulnerabilities. 3. **Employee training:** Conduct periodic cybersecurity awareness sessions to teach employees how to identify phishing attempts and suspicious links. 4. **Backups:** Implement both on-site and off-site backups and test recovery procedures regularly to ensure data can be restored quickly. 5. **Strong passwords:** Enforce the use of strong, unique passwords and consider a company-wide password manager. Small businesses must recognize that cybersecurity isn’t just a technical concern — it’s a survival strategy. By proactively investing in protection and awareness, even companies with limited resources can reduce risk and build trust with their customers.