Did you know that 43% of cyberattacks target small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), yet only 14% are prepared to defend themselves? This stark reality underscores the need for SMBs to stay ahead of the curve. As we dive into 2025, it’s the perfect time to look at the key IT trends that will shape our year.
Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, a business leader, or an IT professional aiming to stay ahead, understanding these trends is key to protecting your business and driving success. Let’s dive into the top 6 IT trends SMBs must watch for in 2025.
1. Enhance Security with Advanced Multi Factor Authentication (MFA)
There's a growing trend among SMBs to take their multi-factor authentication (MFA) to the next level, and it's one you should definitely hop on. While large corporations have been enhancing their security with MFA over the past several years, 2025 marks a pivotal year where SMBs are beginning to recognize the importance of this trend.
One way to do this is by implementing geo-fencing. This means setting up your MFA to only allow access from specific geographic locations. By doing this, you can prevent unauthorized access from unexpected places, adding an extra layer of security.
Another great way to boost your MFA is by requiring Microsoft Entra ID P2 (formerly Azure Active Directory P2). This advanced feature offers enhanced capabilities like conditional access policies, identity protection, and more.
One of the standout features of Microsoft Entra ID P2 is its robust risk detection capabilities, which help identify and mitigate potential threats in real time. This is particularly crucial in the fight against business email compromise (BEC), a significant and growing concern for organizations.
By integrating Microsoft Entra ID P2, you’re not just making your MFA better; you’re making your entire security infrastructure more intelligent and adaptive to potential threats.
2. Implement Effective AI Governance
By now, everyone knows what AI is and the incredible power it holds. You’ve probably heard about it so much that you’re tired of the hype. However, as AI becomes more integrated into everyday business processes, especially for SMBs, effective governance becomes crucial.
Establishing clear guidelines and policies for AI use can prevent misuse and ensure that AI is used ethically and effectively. AI governance helps organizations accelerate responsible, transparent, and explainable AI workflows.
For SMBs, this means creating a framework that addresses data privacy, security, and ethical considerations. Without the support and commitment from top management, it can be challenging to allocate the necessary resources and enforce policies effectively.
Without a solid governance plan, businesses risk potential data breaches and non-compliance with regulatory requirements, which can lead to significant financial losses.
3. Unlock the Potential of AI Automation
As the business landscape evolves, SMBs face the challenge of keeping up with larger companies that are moving beyond AI hypotheticals and into real-world applications. The key struggle is not just knowing about AI, but understanding how to use it strategically to derive real business value.
One of the key areas where AI is making a significant impact is in automation. AI-powered automation can do so much more than just generate reports. It can streamline processes, enhance productivity, and even improve security.
For instance, 18 months ago, we rarely saw anyone with MFA getting hacked. But now, the landscape has changed, and AI can help us stay ahead of these evolving threats. Every major cybersecurity software company has added AI to their marketing messages. 2025 will be the year to vet out the effectiveness of these claims.
As businesses move to Windows 11, there’s a fantastic opportunity to leverage AI for more than just the basics. Windows 11 comes with built-in AI capabilities that, when combined with powerful tools like Power BI and the Power Apps stack, can transform your daily operations. With AI process automation, you can create intelligent workflows that save time and reduce errors. Imagine having a system that not only generates reports but also analyzes data, identifies trends, and makes recommendations – all without manual intervention.
Additionally, the hardware that powers Windows 11 is equally important. Modern laptops and devices are designed to maximize the potential of AI, providing the necessary performance and security features. This combination of advanced software and capable hardware sets the stage for future use of AI, even if you’re not fully leveraging it right now.
4. Master Lifecycle, Supply Chain, and Third-Party Risk Management
When it comes to lifecycle, supply chain, and third-party risk management, many SMBs are finding themselves in uncharted territory. It’s an area that most haven’t tackled yet, but it’s becoming increasingly important to address.
Many companies are starting to recognize the risks their supply chains pose. They're also being driven by external factors like cyber insurance providers and third-party risk assessments to manage these risks more effectively.
For SMBs, it’s crucial to be positioned to manage these risks effectively. Whether you’re handling your own supply chain or relying on third-party vendors, understanding and mitigating risks is key to maintaining smooth operations and protecting your business.
The first step is to map out your entire supply chain and implement strong risk management practices. Identify all key players, understand their roles and risks, and conduct regular assessments to ensure they meet your standards and comply with regulations.
This helps you spot vulnerabilities and take proactive measures. Also, have contingency plans for potential disruptions like natural disasters or geopolitical events.
5. Reevaluate Your Server Virtualization Technology
Still running on-premises virtual servers? While this is quite common, it’s essential to periodically review your system to ensure it meets your needs.
Virtualization technology has undergone significant changes recently, and these shifts are highly relevant for SMBs. There’s been a sea change in enterprise virtualization technology, prompting a reevaluation of current setups.
For SMBs, this means it’s time to take a closer look at your virtualization strategy. Moving to the cloud or selecting a different platform can offer numerous benefits, such as reduced hardware costs, improved disaster recovery, and enhanced scalability. Cloud-based virtualization solutions allow businesses to pay for only what they use, making it a more cost-effective option compared to traditional on-premises setups.
Additionally, modern virtualization platforms often come with advanced features like automated management, better security, and integration with other cloud services. This can help SMBs streamline their operations, improve efficiency, and stay competitive in a rapidly evolving market.
One notable option within private cloud environments is hyperconverged systems like Nutanix, which run on the AHV hypervisor. AHV is a virtualization solution developed by Nutanix that offers a simplified and efficient approach to managing virtual machines.
By being well-versed in options between public cloud, private cloud, and hyperconverged systems, businesses can choose the best fit for their needs and ensure they are leveraging the latest in virtualization technology.
6. Leveraging Cybersecurity as a Service
Lately, there's been a noticeable trend among SMBs towards adopting cybersecurity as a service. As the need to protect data becomes more critical, many businesses are turning to managed programs that offer comprehensive monitoring and management. These services can take a huge load off your team and ensure that your cybersecurity measures are always up to date and effective.
One of the driving factors behind this trend is cost. Hiring an IT professional can be quite expensive, with costs ranging from $75,000 to $200,000 or more per year, depending on their skill set and experience. On top of this, there are additional costs and challenges associated with attracting, hiring, and retaining such talent.
With a cybersecurity service provider, businesses gain access to a team of experts who are well-versed in the latest security threats and technologies. This means full coverage, including proactive monitoring, threat detection, and incident response—capabilities that a single IT professional might struggle to provide.
Additionally, these providers offer strategic planning to help businesses stay ahead of potential threats and ensure their cybersecurity measures align with their goals. This is especially important given the current IT talent shortage, which makes it increasingly difficult to find individuals with the depth of knowledge required to handle all aspects of IT.
Align Your IT with Loffler's Managed IT and Cybersecurity Programs
As we conclude our look at the top IT trends for SMBs in 2025, it's evident that having a well-aligned IT plan is essential.
By partnering with Loffler, SMBs can concentrate on their core operations while enjoying expert IT support and advanced cybersecurity measures. This partnership not only boosts your IT capabilities but also sets your business up for growth and success in 2025 and beyond.
[Learn More about Loffler’s IT Solutions]
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