The increase in the activity of cybercriminals is associated with the growth of digitalization of companies, insufficient data protection and the emergence of new schemes of Internet fraud. Small and medium-sized businesses are especially vulnerable, as they often underestimate the scale of threats and are not ready to invest in cybersecurity. This is evidenced by the specialists of the fintech company Paygine. In 2025, the situation will only worsen. To minimize risks, experts advise focusing on systemic and comprehensive data protection.
Every year cybercriminals find more sophisticated ways to attack businesses. Vulnerabilities in cloud services, the growth of phishing and the use of AI in fraudulent schemes are becoming new challenges for entrepreneurs. Threats that in the past seemed to be the problem of only large corporations are now increasingly aimed at small businesses. The reason is simple: small companies tend to have limited data protection resources and are poorly prepared for modern challenges.
According to a Paygine spokesman, a systematic approach to cybersecurity includes several key elements that minimize the risks of data leaks and attacks.
Regular audit of information systems. It allows you to identify vulnerabilities in the IT infrastructure timely and eliminate them before attackers can take advantage of them. It is recommended to conduct both internal inspections and involve external experts to assess independently the level of safety.
Leverage advanced security tools. Companies must use end-to-end solutions such as intrusion prevention systems (IDS/IPS), anti-phishing software, data encryption, and security information and event management (SIEM) tools to counter cyber threats effectively. These technologies help not only repel attacks, but also respond quickly to suspicious activity.
Employee training and awareness raising. The human factor remains one of the main vectors of threats. Attackers often use social engineering methods aimed at gaining access to corporate data through the imprudent actions of employees. Regular training of personnel, conducting test phishing attacks and informing about modern cyber threats help reduce the likelihood of errors that can lead to incidents.
Development and implementation of information security policies. Clear regulations and instructions regarding data access, use of corporate devices and processing of confidential information help structure internal processes. This reduces the likelihood of security breaches and simplifies IT risk management.
Data backup and recovery. Create and regularly update backups of critical data to minimize the impact of cyberattacks such as file encryption or total information destruction. At the same time, it is important that backups are stored in a secure environment isolated from the main IT infrastructure.
Real-time monitoring and responsiveness. Today’s threats are evolving rapidly, and constant monitoring of infrastructure conditions is key to preventing them. Automated monitoring systems in combination with a team of specialists allow to identify suspicious activity quickly, localize incidents and prevent their spread.
Penetration testing. Conducting regular penetration tests allows to simulate the actions of attackers and assess how effectively security measures work. This helps identify weaknesses and update your security strategy to meet current threats.
“Cybersecurity today is no longer just a technological process, but a necessity for survival. Small businesses are especially vulnerable, but they can adapt faster and build effective protection. We create solutions that allow even small companies to minimize risks and focus on development, ” Roman Tikhonov, director of product management at Paygine, says.
Cybersecurity Ventures predicts that cybercrimes will cost the global economy $10.5 trillion annually, indicating a significant increase in the scale of threats, including the Russian market.
To remain competitive in 2025, businesses will have to adapt to new challenges by investing not only in security technologies, but also in improving the overall digital literacy of employees. This will significantly minimize financial and reputational losses.