Jennifer Stoddard

If 2025 showed us anything, it was that small and mid-sized businesses moved from the sidelines to the center of the cybersecurity story. This year, I worked with clients in many industries. I noticed the same trends: tighter budgets, more threats, and stretched teams. On the other hand, I saw resilience and smart changes in how organizations handled security. Here are the most important lessons from this year every small and mid-market security team should take into 2026, and why these shifts

To better explain and relate to the complex ideas surrounding cybersecurity, we sometimes compare protecting an organization’s network and data to securing a family home. It paints a clear picture of how different layers of security work together to protect what matters most. Yes, the building itself is important, but ultimately, it’s the “memories,” the pictures, the precious data inside that need safeguarding from outside threats.

Cyber threats evolve daily, and SMEs must stay ahead. This article explains the difference between traditional, human-led penetration testing and automated, AI-driven testing. While manual tests provide deep insights, automated tools offer continuous coverage. The smartest defense? A layered approach combining both — human expertise and automation — to identify and fix vulnerabilities before attackers strike.