With the year drawing to a close, now is a good time to look back on the last 12 months to see what lessons can be learned moving into 2026. In 2025, cybercrime became an even bigger threat affecting businesses of all sizes, so it is important to make key improvements to cybersecurity in the new year. There were a few common mistakes made by businesses in regard to cybersecurity in 2025, so it is helpful to look at these mistakes and ways they can be avoided in the new year. By the end of this post, you will know how to strengthen your security and protect your business in 2026.
Relying On Basic Security Tools
Cybercrime is evolving at an alarming rate, with criminals using increasingly sophisticated technologies and tactics. This means that basic security tools will no longer suffice and can leave you vulnerable. Firewalls, antivirus software, and other basic tools can still play a role, but in 2026, you should be using advanced AI-driven tools that will enable you to protect your business from the very latest threats and scams.
Delaying Software Upgrades
Another common mistake that is easy to make is delaying software updates. It is too easy to click “remind me tomorrow” when these pop up, but you are putting your data and business at risk each time you do this. These operating system and software updates often contain security patches that address vulnerabilities and protect against the latest threats. Therefore, you should always prioritize completing these updates when they become available.
Lack Of 24/7 Monitoring
In 2025, cybercrime is a constant threat. Therefore, you need to be monitoring your business around the clock in order to identify and eradicate threats before they cause damage. This is where managed detection and response (MDR) services from specialists like Red Canary come in. They can monitor your environment 24/7 and use advanced detection tools so that swift action can be taken. MDR will provide robust protection and give you peace of mind in the knowledge that your security is being handled by a team of experts without the cost of hiring your own team.
Lack Of Ongoing Education
It is vital that you understand that cybercrime is a serious and evolving threat. Therefore, you need to commit to ongoing education so that you can stay abreast of the latest scams, threats, and best practices. This should also involve providing ongoing cybersecurity training for your employees. You could have the best tools and MDR in place, but if your staff do not know how to work safely, they will put your data and business at risk. Ongoing education will allow them to work with confidence, spot common scams, and protect your business. This can also help to create a culture of cyber awareness that every organization should be building in 2026.
These are the most common cyber mistakes that businesses made in 2025. By avoiding these mistakes in the new year, you can strengthen your defense and go into 2026 with confidence.
