As we approach 2025, cybersecurity threats are becoming more advanced. How your business responds will be just as critical as the technology you use to defend against threats. Building a resilient cybersecurity culture — where employees understand their role in protecting the business — is key. Here's how small businesses can prepare starting today.
Strengthen employee awareness and training
Employees are often the most common target for cybercriminals because, unlike advanced security protocols, they’re easy to manipulate. Threats such as phishing scams are deliberately designed to poke and prod at a person’s curiosity or prey on their fear so they click dangerous links or download malware-laden attachments without a second thought.
In 2025, phishing and other social engineering attacks will be more sophisticated than ever, which is why it’s more important for your team to recognize and avoid these threats.
What you can do:
- Continuous training: Quarterly security awareness training programs are one of the most effective ways to keep cybersecurity top of mind. These programs should cover the latest threats, including common signs of a phishing attack and other scams. It should also teach employees to get into good habits such as avoiding unsecured public Wi-Fi networks, setting strong passwords, and being conservative with the information they share online.
- Simulated phishing tests: Phishing simulations give employees hands-on experience in identifying scams. Plus, these tests identify which employees are most susceptible to scams so you can take preemptive measures, such as providing more personalized training.
- Cybersecurity champions program: Appoint team members to take the lead in educating their peers and fostering a cybersecurity-first mindset throughout the company.
- Clear communication channels: When employees notice a strange email or security issue, they should immediately report it to security experts. Creating clear communication channels to the IT department will make it easier for employees to report security concerns, and allows the company to get ahead of a potential breach.
- Rewards and acknowledgements: To promote a strong cybersecurity culture, you must acknowledge the most vigilant employees. Reward employees who consistently pass phishing tests or highlight their achievements in the next company meeting.
Develop incident response plans
While threat prevention goes a long way in cybersecurity, there’s always a possibility of cyberattacks slipping through the cracks. AI-based malware attacks, in particular, are capable of automatically finding vulnerabilities within a company’s network and exploiting them at worrying success rates. It’s therefore important to prepare for the worst by developing a solid incident response plan.
What you can do:
- Early detection: Implement advanced monitoring tools to identify suspicious activity in real time. A strong detection system can alert your team to potential breaches before significant damage occurs.
- Containment and elimination protocols: This involves laying out the steps to contain a threat, such as isolating affected systems and disconnecting them from the network. After minimizing the potential damage, elimination measures such as removing malware, patching vulnerabilities, and neutralizing unauthorized access points should be top priority.
- Data restoration: Use secure backups to recover lost or compromised data. Make sure these backups are stored off site or in isolated systems to protect them from the same attack.
- Test and update regularly: Regularly test your incident response plan with tabletop exercises and make updates as necessary. Adapt the plan to new risks and lessons learned from previous tests.
Implement a zero trust security model
With remote and hybrid workforces on the rise, and more devices connected to your network, a traditional perimeter-based security model is no longer enough. A zero-trust model assumes no one — whether they’re inside or outside the network — is trusted by default and verifies each user and device before granting access.
What you can do:
- Enforce strict authentication protocols: Use multifactor authentication (MFA) for all access points, and implement strict user access controls based on roles and responsibilities.
- Regularly monitor access: Continuously monitor network activity for unusual or unauthorized access.
Prioritize cybersecurity in vendor and partner relationships
By 2025, the third-party risks you face will be higher than ever. Your business depends on various external vendors and partners, many of whom may not be as invested in cybersecurity as you are. A breach in a third-party system can lead to devastating consequences for your business, especially if sensitive data is involved.
What you can do:
- Vet vendor security: Before engaging with any new vendor, ensure they meet your cybersecurity standards. Ask about their security protocols and how they protect your data.
- Conduct third-party audits: Periodically assess the security posture of your key vendors and partners to identify any vulnerabilities that could put your business at risk.
- Include cybersecurity clauses in contracts: When negotiating contracts, include clauses that require vendors to maintain strong cybersecurity practices and provide breach notifications.
Future-proof your cybersecurity strategy
Cybersecurity is an ongoing process that requires constant adaptation. As we approach 2025, small businesses must stay ahead of emerging threats, whether it’s AI-driven attacks, cloud computing risks, or new regulatory requirements.
What you can do:
- Stay informed: Knowing the latest cybersecurity threats and developments is a surefire way to keep your business safe in the long term. This could be as simple as following our cybersecurity blogs or partnering with a security expert who’s in tune with the industry.
- Invest in the latest technology: Equip your business with scalable and adaptable security tools. Behavior-based threat prevention systems, for example, are designed to detect threats that are not yet listed in the latest security intelligence because they monitor for unusual network activity.
- Get cyber insurance: As part of your long-term strategy, get cyber insurance coverage to mitigate the financial impact of a breach.
Related article: Cyber insurance for small business: Why you need it and how to get covered in 2025
Building a resilient cybersecurity culture is an ongoing process, but it’s crucial for protecting your business against evolving threats. If you’re looking to strengthen your cybersecurity posture for the future, consider scheduling a FREE security risk assessment with our team. We’ll help you assess your current security practices and create a plan that prepares your business for the cybersecurity challenges ahead.