Why cybersecurity is essential for SMBs

In today’s hyper-connected world, cybersecurity is no longer just an option; it has now become a necessary component of a business.

For small to mid-sized businesses (SMBs) in Canada, cyber-risks are growing faster than ever, fuelled by advances in technology that are being used for both good and harm. What was once seen as a cost centre, security has now become a strategic asset, not only protecting businesses, but also building trust and driving revenue through enhanced credibility and employee and customer confidence.

While many of us now take advantage of AI for its efficiencies by helping us automate processes and scale operations, these same tools are now aggressively used by cyber attackers. Where once an attack required human effort, today, a single individual can launch complex, multi-pronged attacks using AI agents that replicate strategies at scale. Cybersecurity risks have become so prominent that there are now two types of SMBs: those that have been hacked, and those that are unaware of it yet.

From clicks to zero-clicks

Gone are the days when cybersecurity meant telling your employees not to click on suspicious links. Today, attackers don’t even need you to click anything. We’re now living in the era of zero-click worms: malware that can infect your systems without any user interaction at all. Cyber attackers are now commonly using deepfakes, misinformation campaigns and data-driven AI attacks, which often evade traditional firewalls undetected.

Firewalls, as most companies know them, were designed for an era when threats originated from clear, external sources and required user action to be successful. However, today’s threats are often invisible, internal and autonomous, and organizations might already be compromised without even realizing it.

Why Canadian SMBs are at risk

Small and mid-sized businesses are attractive targets. They often lack the robust security infrastructure of large enterprises yet still hold sensitive data, such as personal, financial or operational information, which makes them prime targets, as even fragmented data can be pieced together and sold not only on the dark web, but increasingly in the open. It’s no longer just about ransomware attacks; hackers are after data that helps them pursue large-scale felonies, including identity theft, business espionage or fraud networks.

With the rise of cloud-based services, distributed teams and accessible AI tools, the opportunities to attack have expanded significantly. Attackers no longer need to be highly skilled hackers; they just need the intent, and AI can now handle the rest.

What can SMBs do?

Canadian SMBs can incorporate three fundamental actions to boost their cybersecurity significantly:

1. Elevate cyber-awareness beyond annual training: Many companies offer annual cybersecurity training, but that’s no longer enough. Like fire drills, it’s essential to have regular cybersecurity drills. These can include simulated attacks, “escape room” style exercises, as well as scenario-based learning to help employees stay alert. By running such drills, testing reactions and incorporating security into a company’s business culture, employees can become more alert to potential threats and learn how to respond to them effectively.
2. Cybersecurity is not Just an IT problem: The IT department may manage infrastructure, but security is a separate and evolving discipline. Many SMBs make the mistake of lumping the two together. If companies cannot handle their security resources internally, they should consider outsourcing to a managed security service provider (MSSP) that specializes in their industry — this is especially important for SMBs. Whether it be health care, finance, education or retail, there are sector-specific threats and compliance requirements that demand deep expertise, and MSSP services can range widely in cost, from premium offerings to more budget-friendly options.
3. Partner with your cyber-insurance provider: Cyber-insurance is a proactive tool that most providers use to help you conduct risk assessments, identify blind spots and pinpoint areas where your policies may fall short. It is much more than just coverage after an incident; they’re partners in prevention, not just protection, and companies need to take better advantage of their services.

Building Canada’s next generation of cybersecurity talent

At Computek College, we recognize this gap and are taking proactive steps to address it. We’re preparing to launch a major cybersecurity operations centre where students are not only trained in real-world scenarios but also offer shared cybersecurity services for Canadian SMBs with support from the Canadian Centre for Cybersecurity and the Province of Ontario Centre of Excellence.

Providing a live cybersecurity team run by trained students and guided by expert faculty who can monitor, identify, and respond to cyber threats in real time — this will be an affordable, scalable solution for businesses that don’t have in-house teams but can’t afford to be vulnerable.

Cyber threats aren’t just evolving, they’re also multiplying. As they do, SMBs in Canada must adapt with smarter, faster and more integrated strategies. Awareness, structure and access to new forms of protection, such as shared operations centres, are how we are levelling the playing field, as cybersecurity expertise is becoming more in demand for all types of companies.

Muraly Srinarayanathas is the CEO of Computek College (www. computek.edu).