Cybercriminals are harnessing the power of AI like never before – putting small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) directly in the crosshairs.
A recent report from Fortinet reveals an alarming surge in AI-powered attacks, with automated scanning activities hitting a staggering 36,000 scans per second. This signals a shift in the threat landscape: cybercriminals are no longer targeting only large enterprises. Instead, they’re deploying sophisticated, AI-driven tools to identify and exploit vulnerabilities across a much broader spectrum – including SMBs.
How AI Is Changing Cyber Threats
AI now enables cybercriminals to:
- Rapidly identify exposed endpoints like Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP)
- Exploit vulnerabilities in smart devices and office IoT systems
- Target voice systems such as SIP (Session Initiation Protocol), often left misconfigured
Fortinet also reported a 500% increase in logs from compromised systems and over 1.7 billion stolen credentials on the dark web – many tied to SMBs with lower cyber security maturity.
Why SMBs Should Care
Larger organisations often have in-house security teams and layered defences. In contrast, many SMBs rely on lean internal IT support – making them attractive targets for automated, AI-driven attacks that exploit common misconfigurations or outdated systems.
These aren’t theoretical risks. AI now enables attackers to:
- Craft more convincing phishing emails using generative AI
- Bypass legacy security systems with stealthy, adaptive behaviour
- Launch attacks at scale, hitting hundreds of businesses at once
What You Can Do Right Now
At Dr Logic, we recommend five steps to protect your business:
- Adopt a zero-trust approach: Don’t assume anything inside your network is safe
- Audit your network: Identify and close any exposed ports or public-facing services.
- Enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA): Especially for admin accounts and remote access.
- Use modern endpoint protection: Ensure antivirus and detection tools are updated and active.
- Consider AI-powered detection tools: These can spot unusual login behaviour in real time.
We also offer tailored cybersecurity assessments to help you understand your risk profile, identify blind spots, and implement defences that scale with your business.
Final Thoughts: AI Isn’t Just a Business Tool – It’s a Threat Vector Too
The message is clear: AI is giving cybercriminals a new advantage – and businesses that fail to adapt are more exposed than ever.
Now is the time to reassess your cybersecurity strategy. The cost of inaction – from downtime to data loss – is only rising.
Need help securing your business? Contact Dr Logic today for expert guidance.
