If you feel that new cyberthreats are popping up every week, you’re not wrong. The reality is, criminals are always looking for ways to attack your system, and unfortunately, small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are in their line of fire. Things won’t be any different in 2026; sadly, experts agree that attacks will become bolder and the tools hackers use will be smarter.
Fortunately, it’s possible to anticipate what the threat landscape will look like in the coming year and plan accordingly.
What businesses need to know about cybersecurity in 2026
Here are the trends SMBs should keep on their radar as we approach 2026.
AI use will increase, raising the stakes
Security platforms now use AI (artificial intelligence) to spot and respond to hacking attempts because it can detect and respond to threats much faster and more consistently than humans. Experts expect the use of AI in cybersecurity to increase next year.
Unfortunately, attackers are also using AI to their advantage. Phishing emails are more difficult to spot because AI-generated messages now look eerily legitimate. Deepfakes look and sound real enough that employees need to examine them more carefully to spot the difference. Even malware can now adapt on the fly to dodge older or basic security tools.
This doesn’t mean SMBs are doomed. It just mean traditional “install it and forget it” tools won’t be enough to protect them.
Ransomware will become more complicated
Double-extortion schemes are on the rise. In these attacks, criminals will first steal your data and then lock you out. Then, they demand two payments: one for the decryption key, and another for a promise not to publish your data on the dark web. For SMBs, backups can neutralize the first demand, but the second still carries serious consequences if it goes unpaid. Legal and reputational damage can linger long after the attack.
Third-party and supply chain risks will grow
In 2026, there will be an increase in attacks that sneak in through vendors, cloud tools, and other partners. As businesses become more interconnected, breaching one provider can give criminals access to many downstream organizations. Even companies with solid internal security can get hit if a partner drops the ball.
So, do not just rely on your internal security. Make sure that the vendors you work with have a security strategy that aligns with yours. Vetting vendor security — instead of assuming it’s fine — will reduce the likelihood of supply chain attacks disrupting your operations.
SMBs will remain prime targets
Attackers once targeted only big enterprises because the payouts were higher. But not anymore. They’ve realized SMBs likely won’t have the resources to acquire enterprise-grade security. This makes SMBs increasingly attractive targets. Thus, robust security for these businesses is no longer optional — it’s a critical requirement for continuity and resilience .
Managed detection and response (MDR) is now a necessity
Most security tools, such as firewalls and antivirus software, are built to prevent threats. But when an attack breaches these defenses, the speed and effectiveness of your response become critical.
MDR solutions combine round-the-clock monitoring, automated threat analysis, and human expertise, offering both prevention and immediate response. MDR shortens the time between “something weird is happening” and “we’re on it,” often spelling the difference between a minor annoyance and a devastating, hours-long shutdown.
How SMBs can prepare today
Here are some practical tips to significantly reduce risk:
- Always patch and update your systems.
- Train employees to recognize scams.
- Review vendor security practices.
- Create an executable incident response plan.
- Forget one-off security checks and shift to continuous monitoring.
Smarter attacks are on the horizon in 2026, and SMBs need to be prudent and prepared for these trends. If your SMB needs to strengthen its cyber defenses, why not partner with SpectrumWise? Our experienced experts can help you stay defended, resilient, and ahead of the competition. Get your business ready for 2026 and beyond — contact us today.