Cyber

For a long time, cybersecurity sat in the back corner of most companies, important enough to fund, but never seen as something that helped the business grow. It was the corporate equivalent of insurance: necessary, but never exciting. That perception is fading fast. PwC’s 2025 Digital Trust Insights survey, which gathered views from over 4,000…

AI is reshaping cybersecurity by speeding up both attacks and defences, creating constant pressure on security teams. Many companies now see AI-driven risks as a major issue, which has pushed security spending higher in 2024. Attackers are using AI to generate fake content, modify malware, and automate scanning, while defenders rely on behaviour analysis, early anomaly detection, and automated responses. Platforms like CrowdStrike, Darktrace, and IBM Watson help strengthen detection, but challenges such as unapproved AI use, model flaws, and privacy risks remain. Effective security still requires a balance between AI tools, human expertise, strong access controls, and the ability to adapt as threats evolve.

Small businesses get hit hard in cyberattacks; about 43% of all attacks target them, and many shut down within months of a major breach. But even with tight budgets, founders can build strong security by focusing on a few basics: turn on MFA, use a password manager, patch quickly, protect devices, secure your cloud accounts, and automate your backups. Add simple employee training, check your vendors properly, and create a lightweight incident plan, and you’ll protect your company without enterprise-level spending. Most startups can get solid security in place for around $5k-$25k, and that investment is far cheaper than a breach, and it helps you earn customer trust and meet compliance needs.