A recent report on the growing threat of cyberattacks to small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) has been published by VikingCloud, revealing alarming statistics. The report highlights that losses as low as $10,000 could force 32% of SMBs to close down, demonstrating the devastating impact even a small-scale cyberattack can have on these enterprises.
According to the findings, cybersecurity has now become a major concern for SMBs, reflecting an increased awareness of the vulnerabilities businesses face in today’s digital landscape. The 2025 SMB Threat Landscape report from VikingCloud gathered data from a quantitative survey of SMB owners across North America, emphasizing how many businesses are ill-prepared for the sophisticated cyber threats they are facing.
The report exposes a significant gap between the perceived risk and the actions taken by businesses to mitigate it. While 60% of SMB owners believe they are likely targets for cybercriminals, a shocking 74% either handle cybersecurity themselves or rely on family members or friends to manage it. Additionally, many businesses neglect basic security practices such as using weak passwords, failing to update software regularly, and lacking multi-factor authentication.
Financial constraints also contribute to these cybersecurity shortcomings, with 32% of SMB owners citing the inability to afford dedicated cybersecurity personnel as a major obstacle to enhancing their defenses.
Interestingly, the report shows that many SMBs are turning to artificial intelligence (AI) as a potential solution. 65% of surveyed business owners believe that AI could assist them in managing cybersecurity more effectively by detecting potential threats before they impact business operations. The ability of AI to detect phishing attempts, provide real-time threat responses, and monitor cybersecurity risks is viewed as a game-changer, particularly for SMBs with limited resources.
VikingCloud’s report suggests that cybersecurity is no longer just a technical concern but a crucial business strategy. As cyberattacks continue to evolve, SMBs must take proactive steps to protect themselves, as the cost of inaction may be too high to recover from in the long run. Businesses must prioritize cybersecurity and invest in appropriate measures to safeguard their operations and data from malicious cyber threats.