The Latest Cybersecurity Risks Facing Small Businesses — and How to Fix Them
Introduction:
If you’re running a business and you don’t have a full-time IT team, you’re exactly the kind of target cybercriminals love.
And they’re not using dark magic or zero-day exploits to break in. Most of the time, it’s the digital equivalent of jiggling doorknobs.
So instead of giving you generic, and potentially outdated advice, I took a look at the 2025 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR), one of the most respected sources of cybersecurity data, and pulled out what actually matters for Apple-based SMBs.
Spoiler: the three biggest risks are preventable. Here's what they are — and what you can do about them.
1. Stolen Credentials (Still #1 Year After Year)
According to Verizon, stolen or reused credentials are still the most common way attackers get in — accounting for over 22% of all breaches.
Why? Because your email, file storage, calendar, and client data are all one password away. If that password was exposed in a breach two years ago (and reused), you're wide open — even if you’ve never clicked on a shady link.
What to do:
Use a password manager and stop reusing logins
Turn on 2FA — preferably not via SMS
Audit accounts for old users, third-party access, or weak recovery setups
Check if your emails have shown up in data breaches (services like haveibeenpwned.com)
2. Human Mistakes and Phishing Emails
The “human element” — phishing, clicking malicious links, sending data to the wrong place — accounts for nearly 60% of breaches.
And it’s not just falling for Nigerian princes. Today’s phishing emails look like:
Invoices from a vendor you actually use
A Google Doc from someone on your team
A “Dropbox” file that links to a fake login page
These are simple, scalable attacks — and they work because they’re believable.
What to do:
Learn to spot consent phishing (where you grant app access instead of typing a password)
Use email rules to flag impersonation or spoofing attempts
Do a phishing simulation to test your (or your team’s) risk level
Never rely on Gmail or Microsoft to “just filter this stuff out” — configuration matters
3. Misconfigured Devices
If you’re on a Mac, you already have solid built-in security — but it’s not automatic.
In my audits, I’ve seen devices where:
FileVault encryption isn’t enabled
iCloud backups are assumed to be full backups (they’re not)
There’s no ability to remotely wipe lost laptops or phones
Basic updates and patching are months out of date
Attackers don’t need to “hack” you if your device is stolen or lost and unprotected.
What to do:
Turn on FileVault and automatic updates
Use Find My + secure Apple IDs
Set a real passcode, not “1234”
Don’t rely on iCloud alone — have a backup system you control
Where do you go from here?
This stuff doesn’t require a full-time IT department — but it does require attention.
That’s why I created a Security Jumpstart Package for small businesses and remote professionals:
Device + account audit
Basic hardening (Mac, email, cloud)
Recommendations and documentation
A short training session so you’re not guessing
No ongoing contract. Just a clean, secure baseline — and peace of mind.
