7 Alarming Signs Your Business Is a Target for Cybercrime

Cybercrime is not a matter of “if” but “when” for many businesses. While large corporations dominate headlines, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are also attractive targets, with valuable data but fewer resources to defend themselves.

Here are seven alarming indicators that your business might be in the crosshairs of cybercriminals:  

1. Increased Phishing Attempts Targeting Employees: A spike in sophisticated phishing attacks is a major red flag. Cybercriminals use personal data to steal credentials, install malware, or trick employees into transferring funds. Pretexting attacks—where attackers invent convincing scenarios to steal sensitive information—have doubled in recent years.

When attacks spike, it’s time to raise your defenses. Tighten up your email filters, remind employees to think twice before clicking, and run targeted awareness training.

2. Unusual Network Activity and Performance Issues: Keep a close eye on your network’s behavior. Unexplained spikes in internet traffic, slow system performance, frequent crashes, or unauthorized access attempts to files or databases can indicate a breach or ongoing malicious activity. Cybercriminals often explore systems before launching attacks, leaving clues like these.

Regularly monitor network logs and consider investing in intrusion detection tools. Containing a breach in under 30 days can save over $1 million in damages.

3. Compromised Employee Accounts or Unauthorized Logins: If employees report suspicious activity on their accounts, such as sent emails they didn’t write or changes to their settings, it’s a serious warning sign. Similarly, repeated failed login attempts from unknown locations or successful logins from unfamiliar devices should trigger an immediate investigation. 

Stolen credentials give cybercriminals a direct route into your systems. Enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever possible, and stay vigilant for signs of unauthorized access.

4. Data Breaches or Leaks in Related Industries or Competitors: Cybercriminals often target specific industries or businesses with similar profiles. If your competitors or businesses in your sector have recently experienced data breaches, it significantly increases your risk. Attackers reuse tactics and exploit familiar vulnerabilities.

Stay informed about industry-specific threats and update your defenses accordingly. What happens to your peers today could happen to you tomorrow.

5. Weak or Outdated Security Infrastructure: Neglecting security updates, using outdated software, or lacking essential security tools like firewalls, antivirus software, and intrusion prevention systems makes your business an easy target. Hackers actively scan for known vulnerabilities, especially in unpatched systems.

In 2019, 60% of data breaches stemmed from vulnerabilities that had patches available but were never implemented. Stay on top of updates, run regular security audits, and ensure you have firewalls, antivirus software, and intrusion prevention tools in place.

6. Social Engineering Attempts Beyond Phishing: Cybercriminals are becoming increasingly creative with their social engineering tactics. Be wary of fake IT support calls, suspicious probing, or physical attempts to breach your office.

Ongoing employee training and clear protocols for handling suspicious situations are key to staying one step ahead.

7. Publicly Available Sensitive Information: If sensitive business information, such as customer lists, financial details, or internal documents, is inadvertently exposed online through misconfigured cloud storage, unsecured websites, or employee negligence, it paints a target on your back. Cybercriminals are always on the lookout for these easy opportunities.

Regularly audit your online footprint and enforce strict data-handling policies to avoid unintentionally putting your business at risk.

Conclusion: Stay Ahead of the Threat

Ignoring these warning signs can lead to severe consequences: financial losses, reputational harm, legal trouble, and major business disruption. However, being proactive makes a big difference.

With regular monitoring, employee training, strong security measures, and a clear incident response plan, you can build a robust defense against the growing threat of cybercrime. Recognizing the red flags is the first step toward keeping your business secure.

If even one of these signs sounds familiar… your business might already be in a cybercriminal’s sights.
Most attacks don’t start with a bang — they start with a click, a weak password, or a system no one’s looked at in months.

At LeadingIT, we help Chicagoland businesses lock down their systems before the threats become headlines. Schedule a free cyber security assessment and find out where you’re vulnerable — before someone else does.