For years, many small business owners believed cybercriminals only targeted large corporations with deep pockets. Unfortunately, that assumption has become one of the biggest security risks facing small businesses today.
The reality is simple: small businesses are now the preferred target.
Cybercriminals are opportunistic. They look for the easiest way in — not the biggest name on the door. Small businesses often fit that profile for several reasons:
Limited security resources
Many small companies don’t have dedicated IT or cybersecurity staff, making vulnerabilities easier to exploit.
Outdated systems and software
Missed updates and unsupported software create open doors for attackers.
False sense of security
“We’re too small to be a target” is exactly what attackers hope business owners believe.
According to industry reports, a majority of cyberattacks now involve small and mid-sized businesses, and many never fully recover after a serious breach.
A cyber incident isn’t just an IT problem — it’s a business problem.
Small businesses often face:
Operational downtime that halts revenue
Loss of customer trust and reputation
Regulatory fines or legal costs
Expensive recovery and remediation efforts
For some businesses, a single attack can be enough to permanently close their doors.
Understanding how attacks happen is the first step toward prevention. The most common threats include:
Phishing emails that trick employees into revealing credentials
Ransomware attacks that lock systems until a payment is demanded
Weak passwords or reused credentials across systems
Unsecured remote access and cloud services
These attacks don’t require advanced hacking — just one mistake.
Cybersecurity doesn’t have to be overwhelming or expensive to be effective. A strong foundation includes:
Regular software updates and patching
Employee security awareness training
Strong password policies and multi-factor authentication
Ongoing monitoring and risk assessments
Working with a trusted cybersecurity partner
Proactive security is always less costly than recovery after an incident.
In today’s digital world, cybersecurity is as essential as insurance or physical locks on your doors. Small businesses that take security seriously don’t just protect their data — they protect their customers, reputation, and future.
Cybercriminals are counting on small businesses to do nothing.
The smartest move is proving them wrong.
Not sure where your business stands?
Forge helps small businesses identify risks, strengthen defenses, and stay ahead of modern cyber threats. Contact us to start protecting what you’ve built.