Inside the Hack: Why Every Business Size Is a Target in 2025
When it comes to cyberattacks, size doesn’t matter. In 2025, we’ve seen headlines featuring global enterprises, midmarket firms, and small businesses alike falling victim to sophisticated cybercrime.
The myth that only “big companies” get hacked is dangerous. Attackers know that enterprises hold vast amounts of data and cash, midmarket firms often lack layered defenses, and SMBs are easier entry points into larger supply chains. Every tier of the economy is in the crosshairs.
In this article, we’ll explore three real-world breaches—one from a global enterprise, one from a midmarket company, and one from a small business. Together, these stories highlight the sobering truth: everyone is a target, and attackers adapt their tactics to fit the victim.
1. Enterprise Breach: AI Deepfake Impersonation
In Q1 2025, a multinational architecture and engineering firm fell victim to an AI-driven CEO impersonation scam. Attackers used a sophisticated video deepfake of an executive on a conference call to convince finance staff to authorize a $25 million wire transfer. (Wall Street Journal)
Why it happened:
- Large enterprises make frequent high-value transfers, making unusual requests less suspicious.
- Deepfake technology made detection nearly impossible.
- Lesson learned: Even the largest companies need callback verification policies and multi-factor authentication for financial approvals.
2. Midmarket Breach: Ransomware with Data Exfiltration
In mid-2025, a regional manufacturing company was crippled by a ransomware attack that didn’t just encrypt systems—it stole proprietary designs and client data first. Attackers demanded over $1 million, threatening to leak trade secrets unless paid. Industry reports show that in Q2 2025, 74% of ransomware incidents involved data theft, with the average payment at $1.13M. (ITPro)
Why it happened:
- Midmarket firms often have IT teams, but limited 24/7 monitoring.
- Sensitive intellectual property makes them lucrative targets.
- Lesson learned: Immutable backups are no longer enough. Companies must combine EDR/XDR/MDR detection tools, network segmentation, and incident response drills to reduce risk.
3. SMB Breach: Third-Party Exploit
A small healthcare clinic using Microsoft SharePoint as a patient portal was breached after attackers exploited a known vulnerability before patches were applied. (Cybersecurity Dive) Patient records were exposed, leading to HIPAA violation fines and loss of client trust.
Why it happened:
- SMBs depend on vendor platforms but rarely monitor CISA advisories.
- Limited IT staff means patches are often delayed.
- Lesson learned: Small businesses must demand patch SLAs from providers, enforce least privilege access, and perform vendor risk assessments. Being small doesn’t make you invisible—it often makes you easier prey.
30-Day Action Plan for All Businesses
- Regardless of size, your next month should include:
- Verify-before-pay callback procedures.
- Phishing-resistant MFA on critical accounts.
- Immutable backups tested weekly.
- Patch high-risk vulnerabilities from CISA’s Known Exploited list.
- Vendor risk assessments using CISA’s SCRM template.
- Run a tabletop exercise simulating ransomware or impersonation attacks.
No matter how large or small your organization is, attackers are innovating faster than ever. Don’t assume you’re safe.
👉 Book your free 30-minute Cybersecurity Assessment today. We’ll baseline your defenses, model third-party risks, and provide a custom 30-day action plan for your business.
