Small and medium businesses (SMBs) are a pillar of the global economy – driving innovation, creating jobs, and enriching communities.
They’re also an increasingly viable target for cyber threats.
To fend off increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks, SMBs today must embrace innovations such as AI-powered unified detection and response, user-centric cybersecurity, cyber insurance products, and enlisting the help of Managed Service Providers (MSPs). These future-forward solutions that safeguard operations and enable SMBs to focus on growth will bolster their resilience and success in an increasingly complex digital landscape.
Here is what SMBs should keep in mind as they approach their cybersecurity in 2025.
Evolving Threat Landscape
SMBs were once deemed low-value targets for hackers. Cybercriminals would employ low-effort, high-return “spray-and-pray” tactics to target these vulnerable businesses at high volume. SMBs have since learned that their small size does not eliminate their appeal as a target for hackers, and they’ve begun to adopt more secure cybersecurity solutions.
Unfortunately, so too have cyberattacks on SMBs grown rapidly in scale and sophistication.
Even as SMBs recognize the true threat posed by hackers, a gap still remains between the perceived and actual security of many organizations. A worrying 44% of SMBs believe their current antivirus solution fully protects their business, employees, and data — a false sense of security that leaves them even more exposed to modern threats.
SMBs also face constraints that larger enterprises can more easily overcome – limited budgets, small-to-nonexistent IT teams, and less robust infrastructure. This resource gap, paired with misconceptions about their security, makes SMBs easy targets for attackers and underscores the need for security solutions tailored to SMBs’ unique needs.
Recognizing that current tools may fall short is the first step toward building a more resilient security posture.
AI Redefining Detection & Response for SMBs
AI is poised to be the biggest driver of change for SMB cybersecurity in 2025, particularly through its ability to empower unified detection and response platforms. These AI-integrated platforms streamline and centralize cybersecurity operations, making cybersecurity management significantly easier for SMBs and the MSPs that serve them.
Decentralized solutions are a hurdle for SMBs, who struggle to address the deluge of alerts and remediation needs coming from so many different directions – indeed, 77% of SMBs use between 4 – 10 different cybersecurity point solutions.
By automating and unifying threat response processes across security tools and providing user-centric insights, unified detection and response enables better, faster, predictive incident response defense strategies. This cohesive approach helps SMBs to address sophisticated cyber threats without being hampered by resource constraints.
It is AI’s unique ability to analyze vast amounts of data quickly and accurately that enables these platforms to identify anomalies, predict potential threats, and automate responses. For example, an AI algorithm can catch a threat-portending alert faster than a human analyst and neutralize the attack before it causes any damage.
Unified detection and response offers SMBs enterprise-level protection that is still tailored to smaller size and operational complexity.
User-Centric Insights
User-centric detection & response will be crucial for SMBs.
Even for MSPs tasked to handle security for myriad SMBs, fragmented solutions and alert fatigue hinder their ability to protect clients effectively – 47% of MSPs are overwhelmed by the large volumes of security data.
A user-centric approach shifts the focus from systems-based protection to safeguarding individual user behaviors and interactions. By examining the big picture of user patterns and habits, automating threat detection, and unifying security tools into a seamless system, SMBs can achieve enterprise-level defense without overwhelming their limited resources. Integrating this simplified approach to threat management enables SMBs to address digital risks while positioning themselves for sustainable growth.
Cyber Insurance
A key trend to watch in 2025 is the growing adoption of cyber insurance in SMB’s cybersecurity strategies.
Traditionally seen as a safety net for post-attack recovery, modern policies now offer proactive risk management services, supporting SMBs with incident response planning, vulnerability assessments, and employee training. These services help elevate SMBs security posture even amid limited resources and manpower.
It is important to note that SMBs shouldn’t rely solely on insurance or allow it to make them complacent. Rather, cyber insurance should be part of a balanced cybersecurity approach that combines an array of preventive measures to ensure resilience and preparedness.
MSPs
In 2025, the role of MSPs will expand even further as they continue adopting the cutting-edge technologies needed to provide cybersecurity tailored to SMBs.
MSPs can offer SMBs access to advanced tools such as unified detection and response platforms, threat intelligence feeds, and 24/7 monitoring, as well as bringing expertise in compliance with GDPR, CCPA, or industry-specific standards. Beyond mere technical support, MSPs can also end up serving as SMBs trusted advisors, offering strategic guidance on long-term security planning.
As third-party service providers whose sole focus is cybersecurity, MSPs can offer the focus and dedicated threat management that SMBs can’t always handle on their own, including threat monitoring, risk management, and insurance coverage. By combining these elements, MSPs reduce the burden on SMBs, allowing them to focus on what matters most – running and growing their business.
…And a Cyber-Safe New Year!
It is undeniable that SMBs will face a rising tide of cybersecurity challenges in 2025 – but these hurdles are not insurmountable. With cutting-edge solutions proliferating on the market and strategic partnerships with MSPs more viable than ever, SMBs can turn cybersecurity from a daunting task into a strategic advantage.
Cybersecurity is an ongoing journey, and SMBs must remain proactive, adaptive, and informed. By staying ahead of the trends and leveraging the innovations of 2025, SMBs can build a resilient foundation for their future success.
About the Author
Dor Eisner is the CEO and Co-Founder of Guardz, working to create a safer digital world for SMBs. Dor has over 20 years of experience in the field of cybersecurity. Prior to founding Guardz, Dor worked at IntSights, a Rapid7 company, as their VP of Business Development, as well as at Alarum Technologies as Director of Sales. Dor began his career in cybersecurity in the IDF’s 8200 Unit as Cyber Security Team Lead. Dor can be reached online at https://www.linkedin.com/in/dor-eisner-17067744/ and at our company website https://guardz.com/ .
