Recently, the U.S. Department of Defense announced a shift in its cyber operations strategy, including a pause in offensive cyber activities specifically targeting Russia. This change is part of a larger initiative to re-evaluate national cybersecurity priorities and enhance global engagement strategies.
While some experts have expressed concern about the potential implications of this shift, noting the increased rate and threat of cyberespionage, while others view it as a recalibration aimed at long-term strategic goals. It’s important to note that this decision does not impact ongoing defensive efforts by agencies like the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the National Security Agency (NSA), both of which continue to monitor and respond to cyber threats from a variety of sources.
For IT leaders and cybersecurity professionals, this move is a reminder of how quickly the threat landscape can shift and the importance of having agile, adaptable defenses in place. Increased attention is now being directed toward other emerging threats, such as advanced persistent threats (APTs) from a broader range of state-sponsored and independent actors.
What This Means for SMBs: A Wake-Up Call to Strengthen Defenses
While cybersecurity headlines often focus on national infrastructure or large enterprises, small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) are increasingly in the crosshairs of sophisticated cyberattacks. In fact, attackers often view SMBs as lower-hanging fruit and see them as targets with valuable data and systems but potentially fewer resources to defend them.
This shift in U.S. cyber posture should serve as a timely reminder for SMBs: no organization is too small to be a target, and proactive cybersecurity measures are now more critical than ever. Check your SMB’s current cybersecurity defenses against this list and ask yourself if you could be more prepared to handle an attack and get back to regular operations as soon as possible in the aftermath.
SMB Cybersecurity Quick Checklist
- Ensure antivirus, firewall, and endpoint protection tools are up to date
- Investigate adding SOC and SIEM monitoring technology to your network
- Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) across all key systems
- Provide regular employee cybersecurity awareness training
- Back up data regularly, both onsite and offsite/cloud-based
- Develop and test an incident response and disaster recovery plan
- Review your vendor and third-party risk exposure
- Consider partnering with a managed IT or cybersecurity provider
Now is the perfect time to revisit your cybersecurity roadmap for your business. If you’re unsure where to start or want a second set of eyes on your current protections, our team is here to help. Let’s work together to build a more resilient, secure, and proactive IT environment no matter the size of your business.