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Top 5 Cybersecurity Threats to Be Aware Of In 2025

As technology advances, especially artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity threats will become more complex. By 2025, businesses will face new challenges as hackers use advanced tools to target vulnerabilities.  

Small businesses, in particular, are often in the crosshairs because they don’t always have strong security measures in place. 

According to the Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2024, 33% of small businesses identified at least one cybersecurity breach or attack in the last 12 months, with phishing being the most common type of attack.  

In this blog, we’ll look at the top 5 cybersecurity threats expected in 2025 and share simple steps you can take to protect your business.

1) Phishing

Phishing is one of the most common cyber threats, and it’s not going away anytime soon. Hackers send fake emails pretending to be from legitimate sources, tricking employees into clicking links or sharing sensitive information.  

A recent Government survey found that 84% of businesses that reported cyber incidents experienced phishing attacks. By 2025, these scams are expected to get even more advanced, with AI being used to create even more convincing emails. 

How to Protect Your Business: 

  • Email Filters: Use an email or web filtering tool to catch suspicious emails before they reach your staff. 
  • Training: Invest in Cyber Awareness Training which teaches your team how to spot phishing attempts. Regular reminders and simple training can make a big difference. 
  • Double-Check: Encourage employees to double-check emails that ask for sensitive information, like passwords or bank details.

 2) Ransomware Attacks

Ransomware is when hackers lock you out of your computer systems or data and demand money to let you back in. This type of attack can be devastating, especially for small businesses.  

The Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2024 reported that 2% of medium-sized businesses faced a ransomware attack in the past year, and these numbers will rise as attackers become more sophisticated. 

How to Protect Your Business: 

  • Backup Data: Make sure your important files are backed up regularly. This includes emails and messages.  
  • Keep Software Updated: Always keep your software and systems up to date with the latest security patches. Hackers use vulnerabilities in old software versions to plant ransomware.  
  • Employee Awareness: Teach staff to avoid risky links or attachments in emails, which can lead to ransomware infections. 

3) Internet of Things (IoT) Vulnerabilities

IoT devices, like smart printers, cameras, or even coffee machines, connect to the internet and can make business operations more efficient. However, these devices often lack strong security features, making them easy targets for hackers.  

With the growing use of IoT devices in small businesses, this is becoming a bigger risk. 

How to Protect Your Business: 

  • Separate Networks: Keep your IoT devices on a different network from your main business systems, so if a device is hacked, it doesn’t compromise everything. This includes creating a guest network for visitors.  
  • Update Devices: Again, regularly update your IoT devices with the latest software and security patches. 
  • Change Default Passwords: Always change the default passwords on these devices to something unique.

4) Insider Threats

Insider threats happen when someone inside your business, either on purpose or by accident, causes a security issue. This could be an employee clicking a bad link, sharing a password, or a disgruntled worker accessing confidential data.  

A report from IBM estimates 95% of cyber attacks are caused by human error.  

How to Protect Your Business: 

  • Set Clear Policies: Create clear policies around who can access certain information and how to handle data. 
  • Monitor Activity: Use tools that can detect unusual activity, like an employee logging in at strange hours or accessing sensitive files they don’t usually need. 
  • Limit Access: Only give employees access to the data they need to do their jobs. 

5) AI-Powered Attacks

AI is making it easier for hackers to impersonate business leaders, colleagues, or clients using both voice and video spoofing. Voice spoofing involves creating convincing audio that mimics someone’s voice, while video spoofing goes a step further by generating realistic videos of someone’s face and voice.  

These tactics can trick employees into taking harmful actions, such as transferring money or sharing sensitive information. With AI technology becoming more advanced, these attacks will become harder to detect.  

Earlier this year, UK engineering firm, Arup, fell victim to a deepfake scam, costing them £20m.  

How to Protect Your Business: 

  • Use Multi-Factor Authentication: Always require multi-factor authentication (MFA) for any financial transactions or sensitive data transfers to verify the legitimacy of requests. 
  • Employee Awareness: Train your team to be cautious of unusual or unexpected voice or video requests, especially those asking for sensitive information or urgent action. 
  • Verification Protocols: Establish verification processes, such as calling the person on a known number or confirming requests through a different method before acting. 

Conclusion 

Small businesses are often the target of cyberattacks, but with the right measures in place, you can protect your company.  

In 2024, 67% of businesses had a cybersecurity incident that could have been prevented with basic security measures. By training your team, keeping systems up to date, and using tools designed to catch threats early, you can reduce your risk.  

Remember, investing in cybersecurity isn’t just about protecting data—it’s about keeping your business running smoothly and safeguarding your reputation in an increasingly digital world. 

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