“Why Would Anyone Hack Us?”: The Dangerous Myth Putting SMEs at Risk

If you’ve ever thought “We’re too small to be a target”, you’re exactly the kind of business hackers are hoping for.

SMEs are being hit every day—phishing attacks, ransomware, business email takeovers—not because they’re high-value targets, but because they’re easy ones.

Let’s break down why this myth is so dangerous, what’s really going on out there, and how you can protect your business without needing a full-blown security team.

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Why SMEs Are Now Target #1

The truth is, most cyber attackers aren’t “targeting” you in the Netflix-thriller sense. They’re running mass automations—bots scanning the internet for weak links: unpatched software, unsecured logins, or staff who’ll click a dodgy PDF.

And guess what?

• SMEs are more likely to use outdated systems.
• They’re less likely to have MFA turned on.
• And they’re almost never doing regular backups.

That makes them goldmines.

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The 3-Minute Breach Scenario

Here's how it usually goes:

🔓 An accounts assistant clicks a fake invoice from “Xero.”

🐛 Malware installs silently in the background.

📤 It exfiltrates your client list or locks your shared drive.

💰 You get a ransom note—or your clients get scam emails with your name on them.

And suddenly, you’re explaining to a board member, a client, or your insurer how this happened on your watch.

“We Have Antivirus” Isn’t a Strategy

Cybersecurity for SMEs isn’t about buying fancy tools. It’s about getting the basics locked down. That means:

• Turning on multi-factor authentication
• Keeping your software up to date
• Backing up your data off-site (and testing the restore)
• Training your team to spot phishing emails
• Knowing who to call if something goes wrong

None of that is expensive. But ignoring it? That can be.

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How We Help SMEs Get Cyber-Ready (Without the Overwhelm)

We’ve built a Cyber Readiness Scan that gives SME leaders:

• A baseline score across access, backup, MFA, and endpoint security
• A plain-English risk report (no jargon, just actions)
• Quick wins that reduce 80% of the risk in under a week
• Add-on support if you need help rolling out fixes

You don’t need enterprise-grade infrastructure. You need visibility, accountability, and a playbook.

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