Suhain Zaheer, SVP of Managed Hosting at Digital Ocean and GM at Cloudways reports that the recent string of cyber-attacks on major UK retailers has sent a clear message: No business is off limits to hackers.

Strengthening internal resources

High-profile breaches are a stark reminder that cyber-criminals are becoming more sophisticated.

For small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), the stakes are even higher – a single cyber-incident can result in data loss, financial ruin and irreparable damage to reputation. 

58% of small businesses in the UK identified cybersecurity breaches or attacks in 2024.

However, advances in AI are creating new ways for SMBs to detect, respond to and stop attacks, without relying on large, in-house security teams.

The right hosting infrastructure, equipped with built-in security measures like bot protection, automated updates and real-time monitoring, can further strengthen defences while minimising the need for internal resources.

Hackers rapidly adapting to target SMBs 

Ransomware attacks, which hold sensitive data hostage until a ransom is paid, remain one of the largest threats facing SMBs today.

In the past year, 73% of those who were victims of ransomware attacks chose to pay the ransom.

Many businesses lack robust, regularly maintained backup systems, meaning they can’t recover their data independently and may feel forced to pay the ransom. 

Phishing attacks are on the rise and becoming increasingly difficult to spot.

These attacks from hackers often come in the form of convincing emails, impersonating trusted contacts or official sources, tricking employees and customers into clicking malicious links or sharing personal information.

In a smaller business environment, where individuals wear several hats and security protocols are often less formal, the risk of falling for such tactics is significantly higher. 

Another growing issue is the circulation of stolen credentials on the dark web, where hackers use these credentials to gain unauthorised access to systems.

Without proper monitoring, many SMBs don’t even realise hackers have compromised their personal information until it’s too late. 

AI cybersecurity solutions to hackers

AI is quickly becoming a key component in successful modern cybersecurity.

For SMBs that lack dedicated IT security teams, AI offers a way to bridge the gap between limited resources and the need for sophisticated protection.

AI helps detect unusual activity in real time, automate incident responses and monitor threats like compromised credentials on the dark web.

These capabilities enable faster threat mitigation and reduce overall risk. 

At the same time, SMBs can greatly benefit from secure, managed hosting environments that provide user-friendly control panels, automated backups and easy restoration options.

These platforms also include built-in protections such as firewalls, automated patching, real-time monitoring and bot prevention and integrated Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificates.

These features work continuously behind the scenes to safeguard websites and applications, reducing the burden of manually managing cyber-risks and enabling SMBs to focus on alternative business priorities. 

By combining AI capabilities with reliable, scalable hosting infrastructure and proactive security measures, SMBs can access advanced, always-on protection tailored to their existing resources.

This approach makes cybersecurity manageable and effective without the need for extensive expertise or investment. 

Employee training and transparency strengthening security

Technology alone isn’t enough. Even the best systems can be undone by human error or weak internal processes.

That’s why cybersecurity must be an embedded part of a company’s culture, not just its infrastructure. 

Simple steps like multi-factor authentication and keeping software up to date go a long way and is just as important is employee awareness.

Everyone should know how to spot phishing attempts and what to do when something seems off.

Training doesn’t have to be costly; regular team briefings or simple quarterly reminders can make a big difference. 

Transparency is also key, particularly as customers are becoming more aware of digital risks.

Ultimately, customers want to know their data is safe and being open about security practices builds not only trust but also long-term loyalty.

To maintain trust in a case where a breach does occur, SMBs should implement a clear plan for response and disclosure to demonstrate accountability and limit the damage caused.

Protecting the future of SMBs from hackers

Looking ahead, the cyber-threats facing SMBs in 2025 are growing and more complex than ever.

However, the tools to combat them are also becoming more powerful and accessible by the day.

By adopting AI-powered technologies, building strong security habits and fostering a culture of shared responsibility, SMBs can not only protect themselves from hackers, but they can also turn cybersecurity into a pillar of resilience and trust.