Why are small businesses targeted by cyberattacks?
There is a widespread misconception: "We're too small to be the target of a cyberattack." The reality is quite the opposite. According to industry reports, over 40% of cyberattacks target small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). The reason is simple — these companies often hold valuable data but have limited security budgets and insufficient IT staff.
A ransomware attack can paralyze your company’s operations for days or weeks. The average cost of a security breach for an SMB exceeds €100,000 — enough to jeopardize the future of your business. The good news? The most effective protection measures don’t require massive investments.
The Most Common Threats in 2026
Phishing and Social Engineering — remain the number one attack vector. Emails that impersonate suppliers, banks, or team colleagues, designed to extract credentials or install malware. Modern variants use artificial intelligence to generate convincing, personalized messages that bypass traditional filters.
Ransomware — attackers encrypt your company's data and demand a ransom. The current trend includes "double extortion" — in addition to encryption, they threaten to publish the stolen data. SMBs are preferred targets because they have fewer recovery resources and are more likely to pay.
Business Email Compromise (BEC) — the attacker impersonates the director or a supplier and requests bank transfers or changes to payment details. These attacks are extremely effective because they contain no malware — just psychological manipulation.
Supply Chain Attacks — compromises of the software or services you use. A compromised software vendor can give attackers direct access to your network.
7 Essential Security Measures for Any SMB
1. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) — enable MFA on all critical accounts: email, VPN, cloud applications, bank accounts. This single measure blocks over 99% of credential theft attacks. Microsoft Authenticator, Google Authenticator, or FIDO2 physical keys are accessible options.
2. Regularly Tested Backups — the 3-2-1 rule: three copies of your data, on two different types of media, one offsite (or in the cloud). Most importantly: test the restoration monthly. A backup that cannot be restored is equivalent to zero backups.
3. Up-to-Date Updates and Patches — keep all systems updated: operating systems, router and switch firmware, applications, plugins. Most breaches exploit known vulnerabilities for which patches already exist. Automate updates wherever possible.
4. Firewall and Network Segmentation — a next-generation firewall (NGFW) with traffic inspection, IPS, and web filtering capabilities. Segment your network with separate VLANs for management, production, IoT, and guest WiFi. A compromised device in one segment should not have access to the others.
5. Advanced Endpoint Protection (EDR) — traditional antivirus is no longer enough. EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response) solutions monitor behavior in real time, detect advanced threats, and enable rapid response. Solutions like Microsoft Defender for Business or SentinelOne offer enterprise-grade protection at affordable prices for SMBs.
6. Employee Training — the most important layer of security. Organize quarterly training sessions covering: phishing recognition, password management, suspicious incident reporting, and BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policies. Phishing simulations are an excellent assessment tool.
7. Incident Response Plan — it's not a question of "if" but "when" an incident will occur. Prepare a documented plan that includes: who makes decisions, how to isolate affected systems, how to communicate internally and externally, how to restore from backup, and who contacts the authorities (CERT-RO) and the IT partner.
Common Mistakes We See with New Clients
In the experience of the Gobalt Solutions team working with companies from Brașov and across Romania, the most common security issues are:
Shared Passwords Among Employees — a single generic email account "office@" used by the entire team, with no individual accountability. The solution: individual accounts with MFA enabled.
Lack of a Dedicated Firewall — the ISP's router used as a "firewall." These devices offer minimal protection. A properly configured enterprise firewall makes the difference between a vulnerable network and a secured one.
Backups Only on the Same Server — if ransomware encrypts the server, it encrypts the backup too. Backups must be stored separately, with offline or immutable copies.
Outdated Software — servers running unsupported Windows Server 2012, legacy applications with known vulnerabilities. Every unpatched system is an open door for attackers.
How Gobalt Solutions Can Help
We understand that cybersecurity can seem overwhelming, especially when you're focused on growing your business. That's why we offer outsourced IT services that include a security component, without needing a dedicated in-house IT department.
Our team from Brașov can perform a security audit of your current infrastructure, identify critical vulnerabilities, and implement the necessary solutions — from firewall configuration and network segmentation to MFA implementation and enterprise backup solutions.
We respond within a maximum of 4 business hours and offer proactive monitoring to prevent issues before they arise.
Contact us for a free IT security assessment of your company.