New Year, New Threats: 2026 Cybersecurity Trends Small Businesses Shouldn’t Ignore

As we settle into 2026, the cybersecurity landscape for small businesses is shifting faster than ever. Attackers are no longer just looking for big payouts from large corporations; they are using automation to target small-to-midsize businesses (SMBs) at scale.

In fact, small and mid-sized businesses accounted for 70.5% of data breaches in 2025. While large corporations typically have entire security teams hunting for threats, smaller businesses tend to be stretched thin, often without dedicated IT staff or even a basic incident response plan in place.

The attackers know this. They're banking on it. And in 2026, they're bringing new weapons to the fight.

Threat #1: AI Can Make Criminals Faster (and Smarter)

You've heard the hype about artificial intelligence. Well, the bad guys are using it too - and they're getting results. In 2026, expect to see a sharp rise in AI-driven attacks: automated phishing campaigns that look eerily authentic, deepfake videos of leadership authorizing wire transfers, and malware that adapts in real time as your defenses detect it.

The really unsettling part? Autonomous AI agents are starting to do the heavy lifting. The DARPA AI Cyber Challenge recently showed that AI systems can find and patch zero-day vulnerabilities in minutes without human help. Now imagine if that same automation was pointed at your network by an attacker. Faster reconnaissance. Faster exploitation. Faster compromise.

What should you do:

• Train your team to spot deepfakes and impersonation attempts - especially high-urgency payment requests.
• Invest in AI-powered threat detection tools (or work with a managed security provider who has them).
• Use multi-factor authentication everywhere, because AI is very good at cracking passwords, but can struggle with the second factor.

Threat #2: Ransomware-as-a-Service Is Now Easily Accessible

Ransomware has been a nightmare for years, but here's what's changed: it's become a product. Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) platforms let even low-skilled criminals rent out professional-grade attack kits on the dark web. They get 24/7 support, regular updates, and negotiation help; kind of like a subscription model for bad actors.
And the tactics have evolved.

Attackers no longer just encrypt your files and demand a ransom. Instead, they first steal your data, encrypt everything, and then threaten to expose your files publicly unless you pay; this is known as double extortion.

The kicker is that 88% of ransomware attacks hit small businesses in 2025. The attackers have done the math; lower ransom expectations, but higher success rates because SMB defenses are viewed as thinner.

What should you do:

• Maintain offline backups (not just cloud copies). Follow the 3-2-1 rule; 3 copies of your data (original + 2 backups), stored on 2 different media types (e.g., internal drive & external drive/cloud), with 1 copy kept offsite (e.g., in the cloud) for disaster recovery. Finally, test your recovery plan regularly.
• Monitor your IT environment for signs of lateral movement; unusual login activity, unexpected network traffic, disabled antivirus tools.
• Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions that flag suspicious behavior in real time.

Threat #3: Your Identity Is the New Front Door

Instead of hunting for technical vulnerabilities, cybercriminals are going straight for employees' login credentials. Compromised credentials were involved in 42% of breaches. Remote work appears to have made this worse. Home Wi-Fi typically isn't as hardened as corporate networks. Personal devices may not be properly patched. And phishing emails are more convincing now as attackers impersonate HR with urgent messages about benefits, stipends, or policy changes.

What should you do:

• Use zero-trust architecture principles - verify everyone, every time, no exceptions.
• Roll out multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all cloud services, email, and remote access tools.
• Implement conditional access policies that flag unusual login locations or times.
• Train employees monthly on phishing and social engineering - not just once a year.

Threat #4: Supply Chain Weakness Can Be Your Weakness

Your vendors, contractors, and cloud platforms are part of your security perimeter. Attackers know this. A compromised software update from a trusted vendor can introduce malware into your systems without raising alarm bells.

Attackers increasingly target weaker links in the supply chain to gain access to larger networks. And SMBs often lack visibility into vendor security practices, leaving them blind to risk.

What should you do:

• Audit your third-party vendors. Ask them about their security practices, incident response plans, and certifications.
• Require security attestations (like SOC 2 reports) from critical vendors.
• Segment your network so that compromised vendors don't automatically grant access to your crown jewels.
• Monitor for unusual activity on vendor-provided accounts and integrations.

What Steps Should You Take to Help Protect Your Company

The good news? You don't need to become a security expert. However, you may want to consider exploring three areas: clarity on where your biggest risks are, a response plan for if something happens, and ongoing employee training to help catch threats before they become breaches.

We recommend starting with a no-pressure cyber-risk exposure assessment - a guided conversation with an Acrisure Cyber Services analyst who understands SMB realities. We focus on straightforward answers - no jargon or scare tactics - so you can understand your security posture and address what matters most to your business.

Many of our clients are surprised to find that a few smart moves -like MFA, regular backups, and employee training, can help to mitigate their risk.  Note that these insights are provided for general informational purposes only; your organization’s risks and needs may differ so consider consulting a qualified professional before making decisions.

Ready to talk? Reach out or email [email protected] for a complimentary cyber-risk exposure assessment. We're here to help you start 2026 stronger than you ended 2025.