One of the worst things that a business can possibly face as a startup is being apprehended by ransomware. It could not just disrupt its months or years of progress but also have a domino effect on its reputation.
What makes it scary is that SMBs are more likely to be targeted by threats like ransomware now than ever before.
Cybersecurity has become a necessity for SMBs, but many still struggle to meet their cybersecurity needs due to multiple challenges, including the rising cost and complexity of solutions, as well as the widening skills shortage.
Let us dive deep into some of the effective ways through which SMBs can step up their cyber resilience without burning their budget.
Why cybersecurity is a must have for SMBs?
Unlike most large organizations that are mature in cybersecurity, SMBs are relatively less prepared. They have limited budgets to spend on cybersecurity and small teams to manage security tasks.
In most cases, they lack dedicated security personnel, and their IT team manages security tasks, often struggling to properly assess infrastructure for weaknesses.
It leaves exploitable security weaknesses that can be leveraged by cybercriminals to gain unauthorized access to their sensitive information assets.
It is why cybercriminals prefer SMBs over large organizations. There has been a rise in ransomware attacks on SMBs over the past year. 88% of all ransomware-related data breaches were targeted on SMBs in 2025
For SMBs, cybersecurity has become a necessity, requiring them to proactively identify their risks and step up their cybersecurity posture. It also plays a critical role in securing the trust of customers by ensuring that their sensitive data is secure.
What are some effective ways through which SMBs can boost cybersecurity?
The following are some of the effective ways that SMBs can boost cybersecurity resilience:
1️⃣Using affordable tools
SMBs can use the following affordable tools that can ensure the hygiene level of their cybersecurity posture:
Password manager
By using a password manager SMBs can eliminate the usage of weak passwords considerably ensuring that everyone uses unique and strong passwords across all work accounts.
Affordable Password Managers – 1Password , Norton
Antimalware/antivirus solutions
SMBs can use affordable antimalware/antivirus solutions to thwart malware and viruses.
Affordable Antimalware/antivirus solution – Panda Security , Symantec
MFA
Adding a layer of authentication can help SMBs reduce the possibility of automated attacks on accounts.
Affordable authentication solution – (Microsoft Authenticator) Microsoft Security Duo Security
Firewall
A firewall acts as a first line of defense constantly monitoring the network for internal and external threats.
Affordable Authentication Solution – Sophos , Fortinet
Backup Solution
A backup solution ensures timely backup of all the sensitive information and progress that could be threatened by a cyber threat.
Affordable Backup Solution – Veeam Software , HYCU, Inc.
VPN
A VPN ensures the security of the identities of all the users connecting to/connected to internet.
Affordable VPN Solution – Pulse Secure NordVPN
2️⃣Keeping software and devices updated
Keeping software and devices updated is the single most effective measure SMBs can take to secure themselves from cyber threats.
3️⃣Keeping Wi-Fi secure
Configuring Wi-Fi’s security settings can significantly reduce the possibility of unauthorized network access or threats (like Man-In-the-Middle attacks). SMBs can collaborate with cybersecurity experts to configure and manage Wi-Fi’s security.
4️⃣Control who can access what
SMBs must ensure that only authorized users have access to data and resources. They can use IAM Identity and Access Management solutions that come with features like 2FA and SSO to ensure the security of users.
5️⃣Training teams and making them more aware
Cybercriminals exploit gaps in human awareness through social engineering to gain initial access, progress their attack, and steal data. Therefore, SMBs must train users to identify and report threats like phishing and individually implement cybersecurity best practices at the individual level.
6️⃣Taking assistance of cybersecurity vendors
SMBs mustn’t hesitate to seek assistance from security vendors who can provide the people, processes, and technology to keep their operations data and people secure from cyber threats.
How SharkStriker helps SMBs secure their business in a budget-friendly way?
SMBs struggle to meet their cybersecurity needs for multiple reasons. It could be a limited budget, having a small team for cybersecurity, and the absence of the required tools for cybersecurity.
SharkStriker helps solve challenges by providing enterprise-grade security via a robust, purpose-built platform, STRIEGO, all at an affordable pricing model.
With a dedicated team of cyber experts, SharkStriker helps SMBs achieve their cybersecurity and compliance goals through multiple activities – from assessing the infrastructure for hidden security and compliance risks to enhancing their posture with compliance-recommended best practices.
