VikingCloud Survey Finds Cyberattacks Top SMB Risk Concerns for 2026

Article Details

Publisher

VikingCloud

Report Period

2025-12 survey; report covers 2026

Scope

Survey of North American SMB business owners and cyber leaders on cybersecurity risks, exposure, investment, and planned defenses.

Sample Size

200 SMBs: 70 business owners and 130 cyber leaders.

Key Statistics

• 75% of respondents identified cyberattacks, data breaches, and ransomware as among the threats most likely to negatively affect SMB operations in 2026; inflation and rising costs ranked next at 54%.
• 40% said a cyberattack causing financial impact of $100,000 or less could force their business to close.
• In the prior 12 months, 46% reported facing AI-generated phishing or advanced phishing-as-a-service schemes.
• In the prior 12 months, 27% reported a customer data breach, 26% a ransomware attack, and 26% a denial-of-service attack.

Recommendations

• Use shared accountability and external expertise, including 24/7 managed security services provider coverage, rather than treating cybersecurity as a solo responsibility.
• Use continuous, asset-level risk scoring to prioritize exposures with the greatest potential operational impact.
• Use AI to help identify meaningful threat patterns and attack paths early, with human-led responses.
• Improve third-party risk controls, including joint incident response plans, vendor due diligence, least-privilege access, and ongoing security monitoring.