Cyberattacks put small businesses in hackers' crosshairs

If even robust and highly structured institutions suffer cyber attacks, small businesses are even more exposed. A recent example was confirmed by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, which classified the action against the federal court system as "sophisticated and persistent" earlier this month. This incident reinforces an important warning: cybercrimes are not limited to large corporations and often preferentially target smaller businesses with fewer protection resources.

According to José Miguel, pre-sales manager at Unentel, the false sense of security is one of the biggest risks for small businesses today. "Many believe that digital criminals are only interested in large companies, but the truth is that smaller businesses are targeted precisely because they are more vulnerable," he states.

In Brazil, the numbers show that the risk is real. According to the Check Point Research report, in the first quarter of 2025 alone, there were an average of over 2.6 thousand attacks per company each week, a 21% increase compared to the same period the previous year. In Latin America, the growth was even more pronounced: 108%.

Today, having data and operations protection measures is basic for any business operating in the digital environment. An attack can bring down systems, compromise customer relationships, and generate losses capable of threatening the company's continuity. Investing in cybersecurity, therefore, is to act responsibly and with a long-term vision.

"It is time to treat cybersecurity as an essential pillar for the survival and sustainable growth of small businesses. Ignoring this is like leaving the door open and hoping no one notices," concludes José Miguel.