Brian Gutreuter

Every company uses third party support organizations to operate their business, from office cleaning to sophisticated financial and operations management platforms. In our global and connected world these risks have increased in both frequency and severity. According to the Verizon 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR), “the percentages of breaches where a third party was involved doubled, going from 15% to 30%.”

With the advent of AI SMBs have seen a dramatic increase in cyber-attacks. According to the 2025 Verizon DBIR (Data Breach Investigations Report) SMBs are being targeted nearly four times more than larger organizations.

In today’s fast-moving digital world, threats like ransomware, data breaches, and supply-chain attacks are striking with shocking regularity. Yet many leaders are still in reaction mode, instead of preventing them. The fix? A risk register, a simple but powerful tool that turns vague worries into clear, actionable plans. For IT and cybersecurity pros, it’s not just paperwork; it’s a strategic weapon that can cut costs, strengthen defenses, and prove your team’s value to the board.