Iran’s State TV Hack: What SMBs Need to Learn Right Now

Imagine this — you’re running your business, and suddenly, your digital channels are hijacked to broadcast a message you didn’t authorize. Or, even scarier, you wake up to discover your company’s crypto wallet has vanished overnight. While you may not run a national TV station or hold millions in cryptocurrencies, the recent hijack of Iran’s state TV broadcast and a simultaneous $90M crypto theft show just how real—and disruptive—cyberattacks can be for organizations of any size. If hackers can penetrate state-run infrastructure and pull off major heists under the spotlight of geopolitical conflict, what could they do to a fast-moving small or mid-sized business (SMB)?

The Business Risks: Why This News Isn’t Just for Governments

This incident is a powerful reminder: cybercriminals are skilled, persistent, and opportunistic. SMBs often fall into the “not worth it” category for attackers, but today, automated hacking tools and geopolitical motives mean every organization is a potential target.

Today’s attacks are visible and disruptive: Hackers can hijack your communications channels, erode trust, or even freeze operations.
Financial assets—digital or traditional—are in play: If they can steal $90M in crypto, your business bank account isn’t off the table.
Cyberattacks don’t follow borders–or business size: The Iran TV hack echoes attacks on US local governments, schools, and businesses in recent years.

Did you know? In 2023, 61% of SMBs experienced a cyberattack; of those, nearly half suffered downtime costing them thousands per hour (Verizon DBIR, 2023).

Key Takeaways: Protect Your SMB in the Next 30 Days

Here are five moves you can make within the next month to protect your digital operations and assets:

Review and restrict admin-level access
Limit who can control crucial systems—from your website to emails and financial platforms. Fewer people = fewer doors for attackers.
Deploy threat protection on all business devices
Modern cyberattacks often start with a single infected laptop or phone. Advanced endpoint protection catches threats before they become outages.
See BoltWork’s Device Threat Protection
Harden identity and authentication processes
Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on all business apps—especially finance, cloud storage, and communications. Patch weak passwords immediately.
Learn about Identity Threat Detection & Response (ITDR)
Audit third-party vendor access
Make sure supply chain partners only have the access they need—nothing more.
Plan your next backup-and-restore test
Pretend you’ve been hit by ransomware or a destructive attack like this TV hijack. Can you recover quickly—and safely?

If these steps sound overwhelming, you’re not alone. Most SMBs don’t have a dedicated security team, but with managed IT and cybersecurity services, you get access to enterprise-grade skills for a predictable monthly cost.

Risks, Costs, and Peace of Mind—Secured

Cyber hygiene isn’t just about “not getting hacked”—it’s about keeping customer trust, meeting regulatory demands, and making smart, predictable investments in your company’s growth. Events like the Iran State TV hack—and high-profile digital thefts—show that no one is “too small” to target, and that immediate, concrete steps can make all the difference.

Ready to simplify your security and reduce IT risk?
Book a complimentary 15-min security consult with a BoltWork expert—no obligation.

Next Steps: BoltWork.ai Makes Security Simple—and Cost Predictable

Imagine not worrying about whether the next headline includes your business. With BoltWork’s Device Threat Protection, Identity Threat Protection, and full-service IT Support, you get proven, affordable defenses so you can focus on growth—not firefighting.

Don’t wait until your business becomes breaking news. Book a 15-min security consult today and take the first step toward simplicity, predictability, and peace of mind.

References

Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report, 2023
Iran state TV hack & $90M crypto heist, The Hacker News, June 2025