October isn’t just about pumpkin spice and fall planning—it’s peak season for cyberattacks. In fact, nearly 60% of SMB breaches occur between September and December, when teams are stretched thin and systems are most vulnerable. For businesses in Chicago and Indiana, Cybersecurity Awareness Month is the moment to double down on protection.
Threat Snapshot: What to Watch This Fall
These are the top 5 cyber threats targeting Midwest SMBs this season:
- Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS)
- Business Email Compromise (BEC)
- Remote Work Weaknesses
- Insider Mistakes and Malice
- Risky App Integrations
Let’s break them down—and how to stay ahead.
Ransomware-as-a-Service
Cybercrime is now franchised. Criminals purchase ransomware kits online, making it easy to unleash data-crippling attacks on unsuspecting SMBs. Once in, they lock your data and demand payment—fast. Proactive cybersecurity services are essential to detect and stop ransomware before it spreads.
Business Email Compromise (BEC)
Hackers now impersonate CEOs, vendors, or clients to trick staff into wiring money or sharing confidential data. These messages are often convincing—and they work. Partnering with an experienced IT consulting team helps companies strengthen email defenses and build better verification processes.
Remote Work Weaknesses
Outdated VPNs, unpatched software, and unsecured home networks offer easy entry points. And the more hybrid your team, the bigger the surface area for attackers.
Insider Threats (Intentional or Not)
Employees remain the biggest risk—whether they mean to be or not. A single click on a phishing email or accidental data share can trigger a chain reaction of exposure.
Third-Party App Blind Spots
From cloud CRMs to file-sharing platforms, SMBs depend on outside software. But if even one of those integrations is misconfigured or insecure, your entire network could be at risk.
Did You Know?
SMBs in the Midwest are 350% more likely to be targeted by cyberattacks during Q4. Why? Hackers bet on busy teams, unpatched systems, and lower awareness.
FAQs: Cybersecurity for Midwest SMBs
Are SMBs really a target?
Yes. Over 43% of cyberattacks target small businesses—and most don’t recover fully.
What’s the #1 thing to do during cybersecurity awareness month?
Start with a cybersecurity assessment to spot vulnerabilities before attackers do.
Does cybersecurity require a huge budget?
Not necessarily. Strategic updates—like endpoint protection, MFA, and staff training—offer major protection with minimal cost.
Don’t Let Your Business Be the Next Headline
The best time to protect your business is before an incident—not after. Braden Business Systems helps organizations across Chicago and Indiana identify weak points, upgrade their security posture, and build teamwide awareness.
Stop threats before they start—and turn Cybersecurity Awareness Month into your advantage. Call Braden Business Systems at 866-752-5961 or contact us to schedule your free consultation.
For a deeper dive, download our free Managed Services Provider Comparison Guide to evaluate your IT setup against industry best practices.