NJ Small Businesses Need to be Digitally Resilient

October is National Cybersecurity Month, and in 2025, the line between digital risk and business risk no longer exists. For New Jersey’s small businesses—the backbone of our state’s economy—cybersecurity is not a niche IT issue, but a fundamental component of business resilience and growth.

Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs). In fact, SMBs experienced ransomware-related breaches at a rate of 88% overall, according to a recent report. This isn’t because these businesses hold less value, but because they often have fewer defenses in place. A single phishing email, data breach, or ransomware attack can derail operations, strain customer relationships and set back years of progress. In today’s interconnected economy, even a modest business in New Jersey can be part of a global supply chain, and a single weak link can ripple across multiple industries.

That’s why cybersecurity must be understood as a leadership priority, not a back-office function. Owners and executives who incorporate cybersecurity into their strategic vision send a powerful message: protecting data, employees and customers is central to their brand promise.

At the New Jersey Business Action Center (NJBAC), we encourage small business leaders to consider cybersecurity in the same way they approach financial management or customer service: as a core component of competitiveness. Leaders who embed cyber resilience into strategy gain four distinct advantages:

1. Cybersecurity keeps your business running. Proactive cybersecurity measures prevent disruptions from attacks, ensuring operations continue smoothly even in the face of threats.
2. Cybersecurity builds trust. Demonstrating strong cybersecurity practices reassures clients and partners that their data is confidential, maintains integrity and is available – thereby strengthening relationships and fostering loyalty.
3. Cybersecurity supports sustainable growth. A secure digital environment enables your business to scale confidently, allowing you to adopt new technologies without exposing critical systems to unnecessary risk.
4. Cybersecurity supports compliance and reduces risk. Putting clear cybersecurity practices into place helps meet regulatory requirements and minimizes the financial and reputational risks associated with potential breaches.

While the strategic conversation starts at the leadership level, small steps can have an immediate impact:

• Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) and password managers: MFA is a simple, powerful way to prevent unauthorized access. Password managers generate strong, unique passwords and store them securely.
• Keep software updated: Automatic updates close the gaps hackers exploit.
• Back up data regularly: Encrypt backups, test them routinely, and store multiple copies – onsite, offline, and in the cloud.
• Train employees: Teach staff to recognize phishing and handle sensitive data using free or low-cost cybersecurity awareness tools.
• Have a response plan: Know who does what if an attack occurs – and make sure employees know how to report issue, since they’re often the first to encounter suspicious activity.

The State of New Jersey has recognized the critical importance of digital resilience. Through partnerships, education and resources, we are working to ensure our business community has the tools to adapt and defend against evolving threats.

The message is clear: cybersecurity is not optional and it is not someone else’s problem. It is a shared responsibility and a competitive advantage. By leading the way in cybersecurity today, New Jersey’s small businesses are not only protecting themselves; they are also strengthening the entire fabric of our state’s economy.

To learn more, join the NJBAC on Tuesday, Oct. 21, from 12 – 1:30 p.m. for a no-cost, live webinar: Six Steps to Prevent Cyberattacks and Build a Winning Strategy. This webinar will bring together experts to help small business owners understand today’s cyber threats and, more importantly, how to build a winning defense.

Read the full article at New Jersey Business Magazine.