January 26, 2026
Right now, somewhere, a cybercriminal is crafting their New Year's resolutions.
Unlike you, they're not focusing on "self-care" or "work-life balance."
They're analyzing their 2025 successes and strategizing on stealing more in 2026.
And guess who they love to target? Small businesses.
Not due to negligence,
but because you're busy.
And busy businesses are prime prey.
Here's their 2026 playbook — and how you can foil it.
Resolution #1: Craft Phishing Emails That Appear Genuine and Convincing
The days of blatantly fake scam emails are gone.
Today, AI creates emails that:
- Sound perfectly natural
- Mimic your company's communication style
- Reference legitimate vendors you actually work with
- Avoid obvious warning signs
It's not about spelling errors anymore; it's about impeccable timing.
January is ideal — everyone's preoccupied and catching up after the holidays.
Here's an example of a modern phishing email:
"Hi [your actual name], I tried sending the updated invoice but it bounced back. Can you confirm if this email for accounting is correct? Here's the new file — let me know if you have any questions. Thanks, [name of your actual vendor]"
No fictional princes. No urgent wire transfers. Just a plausible request from a familiar contact.
How to defend your business:
- Train your staff to verify any request involving money or credentials through a separate communication channel.
- Implement automated email filters that detect impersonation, flagging suspicious sources.
- Foster a company culture that encourages questioning and verification — this behavior should be recognized, not discouraged.
Resolution #2: Impersonate Vendors or Executives Seamlessly
These attacks feel alarmingly authentic.
Imagine an email from a vendor:
"We've updated our bank details. Please use this new account for future payments."
Or a message from "the CEO" to your bookkeeper:
"Urgent. Wire transfer now. I'm in a meeting and can't talk."
Sometimes it's even more advanced —
Deepfake voice scams are increasing, cloning voices from online videos or voicemail greetings to convincingly impersonate executives.
This is not science fiction; it's today's reality.
Your defense strategy:
- Enforce a strict callback policy for all bank account modifications using verified phone numbers.
- No payments should proceed without voice confirmation through established contacts.
- Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for all finance and administrative accounts to prevent unauthorized access.
Resolution #3: Ramp Up Attacks on Small Businesses
Previously, cybercriminals targeted large institutions like banks and hospitals.
But as enterprise security strengthened and insurance tightened, these became tougher targets.
So cybercriminals shifted tactics.
Instead of risky $5 million attacks, they prefer numerous $50,000 strikes with high success rates.
Small businesses are prime targets: you hold valuable funds and sensitive data but often lack dedicated security teams.
Attackers know:
- You're understaffed
- Security teams are absent
- You juggle multiple roles
- You believe "we're too small to be targeted"
That mindset is their greatest weakness.
Your countermeasures:
- Implement essential cybersecurity steps — MFA, timely updates, regular backup testing — to become a tougher target than competitors nearby.
- Discard the myth that small size makes you safe; you're just less visible when attacked.
- Partner with cybersecurity professionals who specialize in protecting small businesses.
Resolution #4: Exploit New Employees and Tax Season Chaos
January welcomes new hires unfamiliar with your security protocols.
Eager to impress and helpful, new employees seldom question authority.
Perfect prey for cybercriminals.
Imagine a fake message:
"I'm the CEO, can you quickly handle this? I'm traveling and can't take calls."
A seasoned employee might pause. A new hire trying to please? They comply immediately.
Tax season scams rise too: fake W-2 requests, payroll phishing, counterfeit IRS notices.
The scheme: impersonate senior staff to urgently request W-2s from payroll, compromising your employees' confidential information and enabling fraudulent tax returns.
Your defense tactics:
- Incorporate security training during onboarding before new hires receive email access.
- Establish clear policies such as "W-2s are never sent via email" and "All payment requests require phone verification." Document and regularly test these.
- Encourage and reward employees who verify unusual requests promptly.
Prevention Always Wins Over Recovery.
Your cybersecurity options are clear:
Option A: React after a breach — paying ransoms, hiring emergency help, notifying clients, rebuilding infrastructure. Costs are high, recovery takes weeks or months, and the impact lingers.
Option B: Proactively prevent attacks — strengthen defenses, train your team, monitor threats, and close vulnerabilities continuously. Costs are manageable, protection is ongoing, and threats are stopped before harm.
Just like you don't buy a fire extinguisher after a blaze, invest in cybersecurity to avoid ever needing it.
How to Stay Off Cybercriminals' Radar
A trusted IT partner will help you by:
- Monitoring your systems constantly to detect threats early
- Securing access so stolen credentials don't give away access
- Educating your team on sophisticated scams that evade traditional warnings
- Enforcing strict verification for wire transfers beyond just email approval
- Maintaining tested backups so ransomware is a minor inconvenience, not a disaster
- Applying timely patches to close vulnerabilities before exploitation
Focus on prevention, not crisis management.
As criminals set ambitious goals for 2026, hoping your business remains vulnerable and understaffed,
let's make sure that doesn't happen.
Remove Your Business from Their Hit List
Schedule a New Year Security Reality Check today.
We'll uncover your risks, prioritize what matters, and guide you on how to stop being an easy target this year.
No fear-mongering. No jargon. Just a clear, actionable security snapshot.
Click here or give us a call at 859-245-0582 to book your Discovery Call.
Your smartest New Year's resolution? Ensuring your business isn't a cybercriminal's goal.
