Why SMBs Put Security First When Powering Up Their Technology Stacks

[ad_1] SMBs are embracing developments in expertise to realize extra with a leaner employees, allow distant work, automate guide processes, and cut back errors. When carried out thoughtfully, expertise might help smaller companies higher compete with their enterprise counterparts, save on growing labor prices, and generate a strong ROI.

IDC’s knowledge clearly illustrates this development. In accordance with IDC’s Worldwide Small and Medium Enterprise Survey (February 2025), 81.8% of all SMBs will enhance their tech budgets over the following yr. Moreover, a smaller share of SMBs plan to chop expertise spending this yr (1.7%, in comparison with 4% in 2024 and eight% in 2023), reflecting SMBs’ rising confidence in applied sciences like AI/automation as extra use instances emerge. It additionally highlights the efforts of distributors providing extra SMB-specific applied sciences and bundles which can be reasonably priced and simple to deploy and handle. Simple set up, upkeep, and use are paramount for small and medium companies, as 36% of SMBs wouldn't have any full-time, in-house IT staff. A big 85.5% of small companies (these with 1-99 staff) with a full-time IT worker solely have one, in comparison with 40.9% final yr.

A prime expertise space experiencing important funding development amongst SMBs is AI. Certainly, 47.5% of all SMBs say that conventional AI is a prime funding precedence for them within the subsequent 12 months – a greater than 12 share level enhance from 35.1% a yr earlier. Moreover, 45% checklist GenAI as a prime precedence, in comparison with 32.8% a yr earlier. SMBs are additionally investing steadily in cellular employee assist, a development that has continued for the reason that pandemic-era transformation of workplace tradition. In 2025, 52.8% of small companies report prioritizing investments in communications via video collaboration or video conferencing, versus 43.7% final yr. Small companies are looking for to improve to the newest video and collaboration instruments that enhance safety and incorporate new applied sciences, similar to AI, to boost effectivity. Many SMBs need to permit their staff to work remotely, as they typically can not afford to pay as a lot as bigger organizations. Consequently, they're creating inventive methods to retain prime staff by providing versatile working hours and the flexibility to work remotely or in a hybrid method.

Nevertheless, IDC’s knowledge strongly illustrates that SMBs are taking a security-first strategy to expertise investments. Earlier than investing in a brand new system or resolution, they guarantee it's safe. As SMBs have few, if any, IT staff to handle cybersecurity threats, they depend upon expertise suppliers to implement strong safety measures. Growing safety is each a prime funding precedence and a prime problem for SMBs; 51.3% of SMBs mentioned that growing safety is a prime funding precedence for them within the coming yr. Concurrently, 46.4% checklist implementing new expertise securely as a prime problem to attaining their enterprise priorities – the primary response from an inventory of ten totally different choices.

There are a number of contributors to this intense concentrate on safety. One is the shift to the cloud from on-premises options. Whereas the cloud presents nice advantages, similar to accessibility from wherever, pay-as-you-go pricing, and limitless storage capability, it additionally signifies that SMBs’ distant or hybrid employees are accessing business-critical networks from private units utilizing public Wi-Fi – assume eating places, espresso outlets, airports, and extra. One other shift is the rise in AI investments. AI depends on a steady stream of information to perform. SMBs are demanding readability on the supply of the info used to coach massive language fashions. Is it the seller’s knowledge, the SMB’s knowledge, or artificial knowledge? How is that knowledge getting used, and what protocols are in place to make sure safety? Many SMBs are simply starting to construct model consciousness, client belief, and income. A knowledge breach that tarnishes their picture may very well be catastrophic.

With nice technological developments come nice tasks. Whereas expertise is quickly evolving to assist SMBs sustain with their swift tempo of development, automate processes, allow distant work, and extra, its main function is to be safe.

Message from the Sponsor

SMBs want better safety within the AI period. By embedding safety into our complete portfolio, Cisco helps SMB prospects concentrate on operating and rising their enterprise as a substitute of accelerating the dimensions of their IT staff. Accomplice with Cisco to grab the chance within the SMB phase and shield prospects with safety and networking merchandise.