Every October, the world observes Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a timely annual reminder that digital protection isn’t just for tech giants. This year, we’re cutting through the noise to focus squarely on the challenges faced by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Cybercriminals know that the gap between what small businesses believe about security and the harsh reality of today’s threats makes them prime, low effort targets.
According to Hiscox’s 2024 Cyber Readiness Report, 74% of organisations globally report an increase in cyber attacks. This trend is particularly evident in Ireland, where businesses have experienced an average of 58 cyber attacks over the past year.
To help cut through the noise and misinformation, here are six of the most common cybersecurity myths for small business owners that continue to put them at risk, and the truths behind them.
Myth 1: Why would hackers target my small business? Aren’t we too small?
Hackers absolutely target small businesses, often because they see them as easier targets. Your size is not a shield; it can actually make you more appealing.
Here’s why:
- Automated Attacks: Cybercriminals use automated tools to scan thousands of companies at once for common vulnerabilities, regardless of their size.
- Weaker Defenses: They assume (often correctly) that SMEs lack dedicated security resources, making them softer targets than large corporations.
- A Stepping Stone: Your business is connected to suppliers, partners, and clients. Hackers will attack a small, less-secure vendor to gain a “back door” into a larger, higher-value target. These supply chain attacks are rising, accounting for 15% of breaches in 2025. .
Myth 2: If we’re compliant with regulations like GDPR or PCI DSS, does that mean we’re secure?
No. Compliance is the minimum standard, not a guarantee of security. Relying on it alone creates a dangerous false sense of security.
Think of it this way:
- Compliance is a Snapshot: It proves you met a specific set of rules on the day of an audit. However, cyber threats evolve constantly, while regulations are updated much more slowly.
- Security is a Continuous Process: True security is about actively defending against real-world attackers, not just checking boxes. The Verizon 2024 Data Breach Investigations Report shows that many breached organizations were technically “compliant.” Your goal should be to defeat the attacker, not just pass the audit.
Myth 3: Our Managed Service Provider (MSP) handles our IT. Isn’t cybersecurity their job?
While your MSP is vital for keeping your IT systems running, their primary focus is operational support, not specialised security assessment.
Most MSPs manage infrastructure and provide helpdesk services. They don’t typically simulate real-world cyberattacks or conduct the independent security tests needed to find strategic gaps. You need a third-party expert to provide an unbiased second opinion and verify that your defenses and your MSP’s services are truly effective.
Myth 4: Isn’t penetration testing just for big corporations?
Not at all. Penetration testing (or “pentesting”) is a critical security measure for a business of any size.
Attackers use the same techniques on a 10-person company as they do on a 10,000-person one. The good news is that pentesting is scalable to your organisation’s size, complexity, and budget. A single, targeted test can uncover critical vulnerabilities and provide actionable insights that prevent a business-crippling breach.
Myth 5: My budget is tight. Is cybersecurity affordable for a small business?
Yes. While security requires investment, the cost of a data breach is far higher. Proactive security is always cheaper than recovery.
According to IBM's 2025 Cost of a Data Breach Report , the average breach costs over €3.80 million, with six-figure costs common even for small businesses.
Cybersecurity is an investment in business continuity. You can start with cost-effective, high-impact measures like:
- Comprehensive employee training.
- A foundational vulnerability scan.
Myth 6: What’s the biggest security risk to my business our technology or our people?
Your people. While firewalls and software are important, the human element is the biggest attack vector.
Studies consistently show that 74% to 95% of all breaches involve human error, such as:
- Clicking a malicious link in a phishing email.
- Using weak or reused passwords.
- Misconfiguring a cloud service.
Criminals target your people because it’s often the easiest way to bypass expensive technical controls. This means investing in security awareness training provides one of the highest returns of any security measure.
Actionable Security Today
Challenging these common myths is the first step toward building real security. Here are three immediate, cost-effective actions you can take to protect your business today:
- Enforce Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Mandate MFA on all critical accounts (email, cloud services, financial portals). This single step blocks the vast majority of account takeover attacks.
- Follow the 3-2-1 Backup Rule: Keep at least three copies of your data on two different media types, with one copy stored securely off-site. This is your ultimate defense against ransomware.
- Conduct Basic Staff Training: A simple phishing simulation or training session can turn your employees from your weakest link into your first line of defense.
Ready to separate cybersecurity myths for your small business from reality?
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