If you’re a small business owner, operations director, or IT lead, navigating the ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape can feel like playing whack-a-mole with a blindfold. Luckily, the Microsoft Digital Defence Report offers some great insights into the latest cyber threats and how businesses like yours can stay secure.
After reading the report (so you don’t have to), here are some key takeaways and considerations that we think every small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) should have on their radar.
The Cyber Threat Landscape is Expanding
According to Microsoft, cyberattacks are becoming more sophisticated, with everything from ransomware to phishing attempts on the rise. The report mentions a 2.75x increase in human-operated ransomware-linked attacks in the last year alone. This should be a wake-up call for SMEs—ransomware doesn’t just target the big boys anymore.
As a business, you need to be proactive, not reactive, when it comes to protecting your data and systems. If you’re not sure where to start, our Managed IT Security and Network Security services can help you build a robust defence.
Ransomware: Not Just a Big Business Problem
Yes, you’ve heard about big corporations falling victim to ransomware, but SMEs are also increasingly at risk. The Microsoft Digital Defence Report found that 70% of successful ransomware attacks originated from unmanaged devices. So, while you might think your trusty laptops and mobiles are safe, they could be your weakest link.
Consider integrating Conditional Access, Microsoft Intune Managed Service or Windows 365 Cloud PCs to ensure all devices are secure and managed, whether your team is in the office or working remotely.
As the report wisely states, “We all can, and must, do better, hardening our digital domains to protect our networks, data, and people at all levels.”
Identity is the New Perimeter
The report highlights how 600 million identity attacks happen every day. Yes, every day! Password-based attacks, MFA bypass, and token theft are all becoming part of the new normal. And, as more businesses move to cloud services, securing identities becomes even more critical.
The solution? Adopt strong identity management solutions, like FIDO2, Microsoft 365 with Azure Active Directory (Entra-ID), combined with multi-factor authentication (MFA) and conditional access. We offer Azure services that can help secure your business.
FIDO2 Authentication for SMEs
The report calls for the adoption of phishing-resistant technologies such as FIDO2. By moving away from traditional passwords and adopting passkeys or biometric-based authentication, businesses can significantly reduce their risk of credential theft.
We can integrate FIDO2 authentication solutions for SMEs, providing passwordless security that is simple for employees and robust against phishing attacks.
Phishing: Still A Top Threat
Phishing, including the sneaky rise of QR code phishing, continues to evolve. The report notes that QR code phishing attacks account for 25% of phishing attempts. These attacks often redirect users to malicious websites that can steal credentials.
Make sure your team is trained to spot phishing attempts. Regular Security Awareness Training can go a long way in protecting your business from these types of attacks.
Technical Debt
In the Microsoft Digital Defence Report, technical debt is highlighted as a major challenge for businesses, including SMEs. Technical debt refers to the growing backlog of outdated systems, software, and configurations that haven’t been updated or replaced. This debt accumulates over time, making your infrastructure more vulnerable to cyberattacks as legacy systems are harder to secure and maintain. For SMEs, technical debt often translates to unsupported operating systems, unpatched software, and outdated security protocols—creating easy entry points for attackers.
Investing in upgrading and modernising infrastructure and staying ahead of technical debt is an essential part of future-proofing your business.
What is Technical Debt?
Technical debt refers to the accumulated costs and risks that arise from using outdated systems, software, or shortcuts in IT infrastructure. Over time, this “debt” builds up as businesses delay necessary updates, patches, or upgrades, leading to increased vulnerabilities and inefficiencies that can make systems more susceptible to cyberattacks.
Remote Working Security
With hybrid work now the norm, many SMEs have adopted a mix of in-office and remote setups. The report stresses the need to secure these remote devices, which can often be weak links in your security chain. Unsecured home networks or unmanaged devices open up new avenues for attackers.
Our Remote Working Solutions help ensure that whether your team is in the office or working from home, their devices are secure and managed. Through tools like Microsoft Intune Managed Service, we help businesses protect remote devices, enforce security policies, and ensure compliance—wherever your team is.
AI: Friend or Foe?
AI is transforming how both attackers and defenders operate. While threat actors are starting to leverage AI for more sophisticated attacks, Microsoft is using AI to drive security improvements. For SMEs, this is a double-edged sword. You can benefit from AI-driven threat detection, but you also need to be aware of AI-powered attacks targeting your business.
We think it’s time to consider how you can harness the power of AI, both for Automation, Data & AI but also for enhanced security through our Managed Detection & Response (MDR) services.
A Final Thought
As cyber threats continue to evolve, so must your defences. The Microsoft Digital Defense Report is a reminder that no business is too small to be a target, and the stakes are getting higher. Whether it’s cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure, or AI-driven solutions, we can help your business stay one step ahead of the bad guys.
