Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) — not because they’re high-profile, but because they’re often underprepared.

Recent data from Verizon’s 2024 Data Breach Investigations Report shows that 61% of all cyberattacks now target small businesses. And in 2023 alone, the average breach cost for an SMB rose to over $750,000 — including downtime, data loss, reputation damage, and recovery costs.

Nearly All Cyberattacks Are Enabled by Unknowing Employees

Perhaps even more alarming: 95% of successful breaches are caused by human error — typically an employee clicking a malicious link or unknowingly exposing credentials to a phishing scam. That means even companies with the right tools can fall victim if their people aren’t prepared.

Why Managed Cybersecurity Is Gaining Ground

With evolving threats and limited in-house resources, many companies are turning to fully managed cybersecurity solutions that combine tools, training, and monitoring into a single program — with minimal disruption to their day-to-day operations.

One example of that approach includes:

• Monthly Phishing Simulations
  • Simulated attacks help identify vulnerable employees in a safe, controlled way — and provide instant feedback to improve awareness.
• Continuous Employee Cyber Training
  • Short, focused videos cover evolving threats like MFA scams, business email compromise, and AI-generated fraud — with built-in quizzes and management reporting.
• Performance Tracking & Compliance Support
  • Admin dashboards let you track employee progress, spot gaps, and produce reports for internal use or regulatory requirements.
• Minimal IT Disruption
  • Managed programs are typically plug-and-play — making them ideal for small teams that need coverage without added complexity.

How Does All of this Help a Small Business?

A managed cybersecurity program isn’t just about checking a box — it’s about building real resilience while making smart use of your team’s time and your company’s budget. Here’s what businesses often gain:

• Lower cyber insurance premiums
  • Insurers increasingly want to see proactive security measures in place. A managed program with documented training, phishing simulations, and reporting helps reduce perceived risk — and that can translate to lower premiums or better coverage terms.
• Stronger compliance posture
  • Whether you're subject to HIPAA, PCI, or industry-specific regulations, managed cybersecurity solutions help demonstrate due diligence. Built-in reporting and user tracking make it easier to prove that your team is being trained and your risks are being addressed.
• A culture of security — not just a stack of tools
  • Firewalls and antivirus aren’t enough if employees don’t know how to spot a phishing email. Ongoing awareness training and real-world simulations help create a workforce that thinks and acts with security in mind, which may be the most powerful defense of all.
• Minimal disruption, maximum protection
  • Because it’s fully managed, your internal IT team doesn’t have to babysit dashboards or chase updates. You get enterprise-grade coverage — without the overhead of building a full cybersecurity department.

A Smart Way to Get Ahead of Risk

With cybercrime expected to cost the world $10.5 trillion annually by 2025 (Cybersecurity Ventures), ignoring cybersecurity is no longer viable, even for smaller organizations.

A managed cybersecurity program provides the coverage and training your team needs, without requiring a major internal investment.

If you haven’t yet explored how managed solutions like Apex’s can strengthen your defense, now is a great time to take a closer look.

Click here to contact Apex now to investigate a managed cybersecurity solution for your business.