October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. While large enterprises often make headlines for data breaches, it’s small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) that face some of the most serious risks. For many SMB leaders, cybersecurity can feel like something only big corporations or government agencies need to worry about. But the truth is, attackers don’t discriminate by size; they look for opportunity. SMBs are often less protected than their larger counterparts, and that’s appealing for threat actors. In this blog, we’re sharing how you can use Cybersecurity Awareness Month to plan for a more secure future for your business.
What’s the difference between Managed Cybersecurity Services and Unmanaged Cybersecurity?
Cyber threats don’t keep office hours. Nights, weekends, and holidays are when attackers most often strike, taking advantage of the fact that many businesses are less prepared to respond. Time and again, we’ve seen holidays bring an increase in incidents, not a break from them. Even the strongest IT teams can’t be expected to stay vigilant 24/7. So, what can you do when you need to keep your business secure, but your team needs a break? Three words: Managed Cybersecurity Services.
Unlike unmanaged cybersecurity setups, Managed Cybersecurity Services ensure continuous monitoring and rapid response around the clock. No more relying on your internal team and hoping that no threats get through while they’re sleeping. Managed Cybersecurity Services can be the difference between being caught off-guard and having a dedicated team defending your business 24/7.
How ADNET Helps: ADNET partners with SMBs by providing enterprise-grade tools supported by our 24/7 SOC. This means your business is monitored day and night, and threats are acted on immediately, not hours later. During a security incident, moments matter, and managed cybersecurity services help you react quickly when a threat is detected, limiting dwell time and potential damage.
Why SMBs Are Prime Targets for cybersecurity events
- The size of your organization doesn’t matter: Many attacks are automated. Tools simply scan for vulnerabilities wherever they exist.
- “Easy target” perception: Ransomware groups consider SMBs easier to compromise and more likely to pay ransoms quickly.
- The numbers don’t lie: Over 40% of attacks target SMBs. 60% of those that suffer a major cybersecurity event close within six months.
For SMBs, the stakes are high. A single security incident can disrupt operations, erode customer trust, and threaten the future of the business.
How ADNET Helps: We work with SMBs every day, helping them access enterprise-level tools and expertise without the budget or size requirement. By layering advanced detection and response tools with a proactive strategy, ADNET makes it much harder for attackers to treat your business as an easy target.
Are Nation-State Threats Just for Enterprises?
It may sound like the plot of a thriller, but nation-state cyber operations impact SMBs too. Governments treat cyber capabilities like military assets, funding highly skilled teams with advanced tools and patience.
- They run Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs) that can hide in networks for months or years.
- Their tactics often blur with organized cybercrime. Sometimes they tolerate or collaborate with ransomware groups.
- While solo hackers still exist, the most damaging attacks today are often linked to nation-states or groups they sponsor.
For SMBs, this means even if you’re not a Fortune 500 company, you can still get caught in the crosshairs.
How ADNET Helps: Our security approach is built to defend against everyday tactics AND sophisticated threats. With ADNET’s Managed Cybersecurity Services, SMBs get access to advanced monitoring and threat intelligence normally reserved for enterprise or government-level defense.
Cybersecurity Is Never “Set It and Forget It”
The biggest misconception among SMBs is that installing security tools or doing a cybersecurity assessment once is enough. But attackers evolve constantly, and so do the threats businesses face.
- Threat actors adapt quickly: Every new defense inspires new evasion tactics.
- Threats evolve daily: From fresh ransomware variants to emerging software vulnerabilities, the landscape never stands still.
- Business environments change: Introducing new systems, vendors, and employees all introduce risk.
A good cybersecurity strategy is dynamic. Regular reviews, cybersecurity assessments, vulnerability scans, and penetration testing aren’t optional. Advanced security is essential to staying ahead in the current threat landscape.
How ADNET Helps: As your cybersecurity partner, ADNET helps you continuously review your environment, adapt controls to your business as it changes, and test for gaps. Tailoring your cybersecurity services to your business needs and keeping them current helps you defend against emerging threats.
Building a Culture of Continuous Improvement
Cybersecurity frameworks like NIST CSF and CIS Controls emphasize that defense is an ongoing process. ADNET recommends that SMBs focus on:
- Engaging in annual Security Risk Assessments to identify and close gaps.
- Strengthen security by implementing detective controls that continuously monitor and provide visibility into security events. These include services like Managed ITDR (Identity Threat Detection & Response) and Managed SIEM (Security Information and Event Management).
- Using proactive, Managed Cybersecurity Services to extend the reach of your internal IT teams.
- Roll out regular Security Awareness Training to help ensure your entire team knows how to spot and respond to threats.
How ADNET Helps: Our team builds cybersecurity roadmaps tailored to SMBs, guiding you through industry frameworks, testing, and best practices. With ADNET, continuous improvement isn’t just a recommendation. It’s built into how we support your business.
The Bottom Line
During Cybersecurity Awareness Month, the message for SMBs is clear: security isn’t a one-time project, it’s a lifelong journey. Attackers innovate constantly, and businesses that fail to adapt put their survival at risk. This time is a great reminder (and happily coincides with budget season) to evaluate your cybersecurity strategy. See what’s missing, think about how much risk you’re willing to take on, and plan for the next year accordingly. Not sure where to start? That’s ok. Our team can help.
Whether partnering with a managed cybersecurity provider like ADNET, adopting best-practices, adhering to industry frameworks, or committing to regular reviews, SMBs can significantly reduce their risk. Cybersecurity isn’t just about protecting your data. It’s about safeguarding the future of your business.
How ADNET Helps: ADNET’s mission is to make enterprise-level cybersecurity accessible to SMBs. We combine proactive strategy, advanced tools, a team of experts, and always-on monitoring to help you stay one step ahead of evolving threats.
Need help creating a cybersecurity strategy to defend your business? Reach out to us today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the Difference Between Unmanaged and Managed Cybersecurity Services?
Unmanaged cybersecurity typically includes tools, but lacks expert oversight. Unlike unmanaged cybersecurity setups, Managed Cybersecurity Services ensure that true professionals are watching your environment and responding to critcal threats, no matter what time it is. Managed Cybersecurity Services help businesses stay ready to defend agaist threats with a dedicated team monitoring your business 24/7.
Why Are SMBs Targeted by Threat Actors?
In spite of their size, small businesses (SMBs) are more vulnerable to cybersecurity attacks. They are often easier to exploit than large corporations that have tighter security processes. At the end of the day, it’s all about opportunity, and SMBs often lack the internal teams or tools to detect and respond to threats quickly. Threat actors capitalize on this and exploit it.
What Can SMBs Do to Prevent Future Cybersecurity Attacks?
To get ahead of and prevent future cybersecurity attacks, small businesses (SMBs) should implement regular security awareness training for employees, strong password policies, and regular back-ups of data. Consider outsourced Managed Cybersecurity Services from a trusted provider like ADNET Technologies. For a full list of preventatives, download our handy checklist, 14 Ways to Protect Your Business from a Cybersecurity Attack.