Cyberattacks on SMEs increase by 400% due to AI

Cybercriminals are using Artificial Intelligence to automate and refine their attacks, with an alarming 400% increase targeting SMBs by 2025. We explain, without beating around the bush, why your business is a target and what urgent measures you should take.

An alarming trend is jeopardizing the security of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) around the world. Cybersecurity reports for 2025 reveal that attacks targeting this sector have increased by 400%, a rise directly driven by the malicious use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) by cybercriminals.

SMEs, which often have more limited security resources than large corporations, have become the perfect target for large-scale, automated attacks.

AI as a weapon: More sophisticated and difficult to detect attacks

Criminals are leveraging AI capabilities to develop more complex and effective attacks. The main threats identified are:

* Advanced Phishing and Fraud: AI enables the creation of highly personalized and convincing phishing emails and scam messages, eliminating the grammatical errors and red flags that previously gave away these scams.

* Complex Malware: Malicious programs are being developed that use AI to adapt and evade traditional security systems.

* Ransomware on the Rise: Ransomware attacks, which hold a company's data hostage in exchange for a ransom, have seen a 126% increase globally. AI helps attackers identify and exploit vulnerabilities more quickly and efficiently.

* Destructive Technologies (Wiper): An even more dangerous threat is the use of "wiper" malware, designed not to demand a ransom, but to permanently destroy company data, making recovery difficult or impossible.

Why are SMEs the main target?

Unlike large corporations, small and medium-sized businesses often lack dedicated cybersecurity departments or access to advanced defense technologies. This vulnerability makes them a "low-cost, high-return" target for cybercriminals, who can use AI-powered automated tools to launch thousands of attacks simultaneously with minimal effort.

"The rise in AI-driven attacks is creating greater vulnerability in small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs)," warns a recent report from the consulting firm Gartner, emphasizing that these organizations are now the weakest link in the digital supply chain.

Survival Guide: 6 Steps to Protect Your Business in 2025

Given this new reality, cybersecurity is no longer an option, but a strategic necessity for the survival of any business. Experts and organizations such as the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) recommend adopting a proactive stance. Here are six concrete steps that every SME should implement immediately:

* Adopt a Zero Trust Approach: Take nothing for granted. This security architecture assumes that no connection, whether internal or external, is automatically secure. Solutions should be implemented that constantly verify every access to information and systems.

* Train and Test Staff: The weakest link is often the human one. Many successful attacks begin with an employee clicking on a malicious link. Frequent training and phishing drills are crucial to help employees recognize threats.

* Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): A simple password is no longer enough. MFA (which requires a second verification step, such as a code on your phone or a fingerprint) adds a critical layer of security that dramatically reduces the risk of unauthorized access.

* Keep Systems and Software Updated: Software updates not only add new features but also fix known security vulnerabilities. Ignoring them leaves the door open to attackers.

* Conduct Audits and Mock Attacks: Hiring experts to conduct regular security audits and cyberattack drills helps identify and correct system weaknesses before a real criminal finds them.

* Follow Recognized Cybersecurity Frameworks: Adopting standardized guidelines and controls, such as the NIST Cybersecurity Framework or ISO/IEC 27001, provides a clear roadmap for building a robust and organized defense.

Prevention is the only viable strategy. In an environment where threats evolve at the speed of AI, protecting against cyberattacks is no longer an expense, but an essential investment for business continuity and stability.