Cyber Espionage Isn’t Just for Big Brands: What SMBs Should Learn from the Latest International Hacking Campaign
It’s easy to think headline-making hacks only happen to governments or Fortune 500 giants. But a recent campaign by a China-linked hacker group targeting over 70 organizations—including a cybersecurity firm, a South Asian government entity, and a European media outlet between July 2024 and March 2025—proves otherwise (The Hacker News, 2025). Cybercriminals are casting a wider net, and your small or midsize business (SMB) could be next if you’re not vigilant.
Why This News Is a Wake-Up Call for All SMBs
The reality: Advanced threats once reserved for nation-states and large corporations are increasingly becoming a risk—even for companies with fewer than 100 employees. You don’t need to be a government agency or major tech player to become a target. In fact, attackers often see SMBs as easy entry points to larger supply-chain breaches or as valuable targets in their own right.
Key Takeaways: What Your Business Can Do in the Next 30 Days
- Review and update your incident response plan: Make sure you know exactly who does what if you’re hit with a cyberattack. If you have no plan, create one—an effective response can drastically limit business disruption.
- Update and patch all systems: The majority of breaches—over 60%—exploit known but unpatched vulnerabilities (IBM, 2023). Set a 30-day check to ensure operating systems, software, and firmware are current.
- Train your team on phishing and social engineering: Even the best tech cannot stop an employee from clicking the wrong link. Hold a short security awareness session this month; simulated phishing tests can be surprisingly eye-opening.
- Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA): Small businesses are still a favorite for credential theft. MFA blocks over 99% of automated attacks (CISA, 2022); start with your email and critical business apps.
- Get a professional security assessment: External experts can uncover hidden risks and help prioritize budget-friendly protections. Not sure where to start? Book a free 15-minute security consult with BoltWork and get actionable guidance tailored to small business needs.
Secure, Simplify, and Reduce Costs: BoltWork’s Approach
When attacks this sophisticated target dozens of organizations across sectors, it’s vital to have a proactive cybersecurity program that aligns with your SMB’s realities:
- Secure: Regular vulnerability scans, up-to-date patching, and robust authentication protect your business—even if sophisticated actors are on the prowl.
- Simplify: We automate security checks, employee training, and compliance tasks so you can focus on running your business, not chasing the latest threats.
- Reduce Costs: Predictable monthly pricing keeps cybersecurity affordable, with no surprise bills or expensive incident recovery fees.
Real Numbers: Cyber Espionage Hits Every Sector
According to the 2024 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report, 83% of breaches involve external actors—and over half involve small businesses (Verizon DBIR, 2024). The recent wave isn’t an outlier; it’s the new normal. And as threat groups automate and scale their attacks, every business—regardless of sector—needs basic protections in place.
> Note: No business is too small to be a target if hackers see an opportunity—whether that’s weak passwords, old software, or a lack of security processes.
First Steps SMBs Can Act On Now
- Create or refresh your incident response playbook—who to call, what to do, where backups are kept.
- Run software updates now. Don’t delay—schedule automatic patching for the future.
- Deploy MFA on all sensitive logins and business systems within a month.
- Engage an expert: BoltWork can assess your security posture and help you prioritize low-cost, high-impact defenses.
Peace of mind for your business is possible—with a little proactivity and the right support.
Ready to secure, simplify, and reduce IT risk? Book a 15-min security consult with BoltWork today. Identify your weak spots and build cyber confidence, fast.