A recent report from cybersecurity firm Check Point highlights concerning trends in the cyberthreat landscape so far in 2023. Ransomware attacks are on the rise, with 48 groups breaching over 2,200 victims globally in the first half of the year. As small businesses become increasingly digitized, they need to be aware of these threats and take steps to secure their systems.

One major trend is the evolution of ransomware tactics. Groups are moving from simply encrypting data to stealing it first to increase leverage. New ransomware operators are also emerging to fill the void left by disrupted older groups.

Small businesses in Australia need to ensure they are not vulnerable to ransomware, by maintaining backups, updating software, and using endpoint protection. See our feature on the Essential Eight compliance framework for more details.

In addition to ransomware, hacktivist groups driven by political motivations are actively targeting organizations. Small businesses engaged in sensitive activities or aligned with larger targets need to be vigilant. Strong perimeter security, compromised credential monitoring, and employee education help mitigate hacktivist attacks.

The report also warns that threat actors are now combining legacy techniques like infected USB drives with new AI tools for more potent attacks. For small businesses, this means that tried and true cyber hygiene like avoiding unknown USB devices remains mandatory, even as new advanced threats emerge.

Small businesses often lack formal cybersecurity policies and protections, leaving them vulnerable to threats. As attacks grow more advanced, neglecting security fundamentals puts businesses at risk of ransomware and denial of service attacks, data theft, and other threats that could disrupt operations.

IT managed service providers can help small businesses improve their security postures. Experienced MSPs stay current on threat intelligence, and provide ongoing monitoring and response capabilities that small firms struggle to implement alone.

The message for Australian small businesses is clear – cyberthreats are growing in scale and sophistication. Partnering with a trusted MSP for security services, gives small firms the protection they need to operate safely. Taking proactive security steps today avoids painful incidents tomorrow.