Cybersecurity in 2025: What Every Small Business Owner Needs to Know

Running a small business is no small feat — and thanks to the latest cybersecurity trends, the digital side of things just got a little more complicated. But don't worry, we’ve broken down the big picture from Verizon’s 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report into bite-sized, need-to-know tips for you.

1. Third-Party Problems Are Growing
It’s not always your systems getting hacked — sometimes it's the software and services you trust the most! A full 30% of breaches involved third parties like vendors, software providers, or partners this year. Translation: choosing trustworthy, secure vendors is more important than ever.

2. Ransomware Loves Small Businesses
Ransomware — where hackers lock your files and demand payment — hit small businesses the hardest. A whopping 88% of ransomware-related breaches affected small organizations. The good news? Fewer companies are paying up, and the average ransom has dropped. Still, regular backups and strong defenses are a must.

3. Patch It or Risk It
Cybercriminals are finding cracks in internet-facing devices and exploiting them faster than ever. Even though businesses are patching vulnerabilities quicker, only 54% fully fixed critical issues. If your equipment (like routers, firewalls, or websites) touches the internet, make patching a top priority.

4. Human Errors Still Matter
About 60% of breaches involved a human mistake — clicking a bad link, using a weak password, or sending sensitive info to the wrong person. Investing in simple, regular cybersecurity training for you and your team is one of the highest-ROI moves you can make.

5. A New Sneaky Threat: AI
Hackers are now using AI to craft smarter phishing emails. Meanwhile, employees are increasingly (and sometimes accidentally) leaking company info into public AI tools. It’s a good time to set some clear rules around AI use in your workplace.