SMBs: Avoid the Small Target Illusion

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Cybersecurity analysts caution leaders of small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) to avoid a mentality dubbed the “small target illusion.”

Jul 15, 2025

Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity analysts caution leaders of small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) to avoid a mentality dubbed the “small target illusion.” In short, this mistaken theory says malefactors prefer targeting large corporations because the SMB market isn’t large enough for profitable cybercrime.

Three facts argue against this thinking:

The Small Business Administration (SBA) estimates nine of 10 U.S. companies qualify as “small.”
Recent research indicates that nearly half of all cyber assaults target SMBs.
The latest studies of social engineering techniques suggest at least half of all cyberattacks will involve automation technology like artificial intelligence (AI) by the end of 2025.

Given these facts, smaller organizations arguably represent better victims than larger ones because there are so many SMBs, staging attacks on a company of any size requires little human intervention and surveys show that most SMBs are under-funded and unprepared for cyber defense.

Clarity clears the small target illusion. That’s why we advocate two powerful initiatives:

Assess Risk – Identify and quantify potential material damage from cybersecurity breaches, such as lost revenue, data remediation rigors and restoration costs. Review intangible risks, too, like damage to brand reputation.
Elevate Awareness – Educate team members at every level about cyber threats and the critical role each executive, worker and partner play in sustaining cyber resilience.

Looking for insight and support? Call us for a consultation.