Sentinel

ARTICLE

Phishing remains the number one way cyber criminals infiltrate businesses - and BEC attacks are becoming increasingly personal.

In 2026, expect to see highly convincing emails that appear to come from trusted contacts, complete with correct branding, tone, and even AI-generated writing styles.

Attackers are using stolen data from previous breaches to craft believable messages that trick staff into transferring money or credentials.

Tip: Regular staff training, multi-factor authentication (MFA), and real-time threat monitoring are key to defending against BEC scams.

Ransomware is no longer the domain of elite hackers. Ransomware-as-a-Service gives anyone with bad intentions access to ready-made malware kits and payment portals. The result? A surge in low-skill but high-volume attacks targeting SMEs - the most profitable "sweet spot" for criminals who know smaller firms often lack enterprise-grade protection.

Tip: Keep offline backups, patch systems regularly, and use endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to detect suspicious activity early.

As more businesses move data and applications to the cloud, misconfigurations are fast becoming one of the biggest sources of data leaks.

From poorly configured access controls to unencrypted storage buckets, even small error can expose sensitive data publicly or to cyber criminals scanning for vulnerabilities.

Tip: Regularly audit your cloud security settings and use automated configuration tools to ensure compliance and visibility.

AI has created a new class of threats. Deepfake voice scams are on the rise, with attackers cloning voices of executives or suppliers to authorise payments or extract confidential information.

Meanwhile, "AI engineering" - the malicious manipulation of AI systems or data sets - is emerging as a powerful attack vector. Compromised AI models can produce misleading results, corrupt data, or open back doors for attackers.

Tip: Establish strict verification processes for voice or video instructions and monitor AI systems for abnormal activity or data drift.

In 2026, attackers are increasingly bypassing direct defences by targeting suppliers, software vendors, and managed service providers.

A single compromised partner can create a cascade of risk across the entire business ecosystem - something SMEs often overlook. Cyber criminals know this and are exploiting trusted relationships to deliver malware or steal credentials through legitimate channels.

Tip: Evaluate the security posture of your suppliers, insist on transparency in cyber security practices, and segment your network to reduce the blast radius of a breach.

Leaders don't need to be cyber experts - they need to make cyber a business priority. Ask: "How secure are we compared to where we want to be?".

Include a "Cyber Moment" in every board meeting. Two minutes on one security update. Keep it visible.

When someone reports a phishing email or flags a risk, celebrate it like a sales win. Reward curiosity.

Empower teams to question unusual emails, challenge requests, and learn. Make security approachable, not fearful.

Collaborate with partners (like Apex) for regular audits, tabletop exercises, and roadmap sessions. Cyber maturity is a journey, not a checkbox.