Top 3 “Easy-to-Fix” Cybersecurity Risks

Every year, companies and government agencies are subject to cyber-attacks which seem to grow in greater frequency, ferocity, and celerity. Yet amazingly, as the old saying goes, “the more things change, the more they stay the same.”

This is the case with cyber attacks and cybersecurity. Here are some sobering statistics on cyber-crime in 2025:

• 22.5% of cyber crimes were due to phishing, resulting in $70+million in losses
• 44% of data breaches were ransomware attacks over an average ransom of $115,000.
• 20% of SMBs have no cybersecurity technology at all and nearly a third of SMBs work with outdated cybersecurity technology, have weak passwords, and don’t regularly update software patches.

Alarmingly, over 50% of SMBs claim it would take less than $55,000 in damages from a cyberattack to go under. What is astounding from these surveyed responses from SMBs on cybersecurity is that many of the risks, breaches, and subsequent costs to business are “easy fixes.”

What is meant by “easy fixes”? By taking regular steps and training, companies can avoid large equipment, infrastructure, and even organizational investments. Here are the top 3 “easy-to-fix” cybersecurity issues for SMBs.

Security Issue #1: Unpatched or Outdated Software

A survey of SMBs revealed that 18% do not require regular software updates. Software that is unpatched or outdated run the risk of being exploited by cyber attackers. Attackers scan the internet with automated tools, even AI, to find and exploit unpatched, public-facing software like VPNs, firewalls, and mail servers. If a vendor released a fix for a known vulnerability a week ago, and you haven’t installed it, the attacker has a clear path inside.

Easy Fix Solution: Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) continuously scan and automatically deploy security patches to all workstations and servers. RMMs can prioritize high-risk, internet-facing systems to close the critical window of vulnerability. This solution doesn’t require massive equipment or systems upgrades and is not disruptive to your business operations.

Security Issue #2: Weak Passwords

A survey of SMBs revealed that 23% use weak passwords like family pet names, and 14% don’t require their staff or organization to utilize multi-factor authentication (MFA). Cyber attackers easily exploit this vulnerability by looking for easy-to-guess passwords, phishing to steal credentials, or key-loggers to steal passwords.

Easy Fix Solution: Build a solid, secure, and most importantly mandatory, company-wide Password Management policy and password manager tool to generate and store long, unique passwords for every application. Enforce Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) on all critical accounts and perform audits to ensure no default passwords are left on network devices. Finally, make sure endpoints are secure.

Security Issue #3: Anti-Phishing Training

Phishing, vishing, BEC attacks can trick employees into clicking a malicious link or revealing sensitive information. These attacks exploit your employees’ natural human tendency to be helpful, busy, or trusting. Many high-profile breaches of both corporations and government offices, often start by tricking a help desk agent into resetting a password or Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) token for a compromised account.

Easy Fix Solution: Frequent training and drills. Frequent, realistic Phishing Simulations to test and train employees provide engaging, micro-learning sessions on recognizing social engineering tactics. Crucially, they help establish and enforce MFA policies that prevent a help desk worker from being tricked into providing access over the phone. Make sure that if an employee fails a drill, that the staffer must retake that training and within a specified time frame to ensure that the training remains fresh.

These “easy fix” solutions can be implemented with a little effort and minimal investment in equipment, systems, and personnel.

Welltec Defense has complete RMM, MFA, endpoint security, and penetration testing, training and drilling solutions for your company. Whether you need cyber attack monitoring, securing devices, or vCIO services, Welltec Defense is ready to help you protect your company.

Sources:

• https://www.brightdefense.com/resources/phishing-statistics/#:~:text=Of%20the%20confirmed%20phishing%20emails,Red%20Canary%20Threat%20Detection%20Report
• https://nordlayer.com/blog/cybersecurity-statistics-of-2025
• https://www.vikingcloud.com/blog/cybersecurity-statistics#:~:text=20%25%20of%20SMBS%20report%20having,businesses%20of%20all%20sizes%20worldwide