What Smart Business Leaders Are Doing About Cybersecurity in 2026?
- Zita Lam
- Oct 14
- 3 min read
As 2025 heads toward 2026, one thing is clear — cybersecurity is no longer just an IT concern; it’s a core business strategy. With the rise of AI-driven attacks, data breaches, and ransomware, business leaders are realizing that staying secure means staying competitive.
Learn key strategies at Stepfar's Networking Lunch & Learn on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025.
Date: Thursday, October 23, 2025
Time: 11:45 AM – 1:30 PM PST
Location: Ruth’s Chris Steak House
Cost: Free — includes premium lunch & networking opportunity
So what are smart business leaders doing now to prepare for the cyber risks of 2026?
1. Treating Cybersecurity as a Business Priority | Today’s forward-thinking organizations don’t wait for problems to happen. They’re conducting cybersecurity assessments to identify weak points, secure data, and ensure business continuity. Security is now a boardroom topic, not just an IT checklist item. |
2. Using AI to Strengthen Defense | AI is transforming both sides of cybersecurity. While attackers are using AI to automate phishing and create deepfake scams, defenders are using machine learning and predictive analytics to detect threats earlier than ever before. Businesses adopting AI-powered cybersecurity tools are cutting response times and reducing risk dramatically. |
3. Building a Cyber-Aware Workforce | Over 80% of cyber incidents stem from human error. That’s why leading companies are prioritizing cyber awareness training and phishing simulations to empower employees to spot and stop threats. |
4. Staying Ahead of Privacy Regulations | With new data protection and privacy laws emerging across the U.S. and globally, smart leaders know compliance is critical. Regular audits and risk assessments help prevent costly fines and build trust with customers. |
5. Networking and Learning from Experts | Cybersecurity isn’t a solo effort; it’s about community and shared knowledge. Join local business owners, executives, and IT leaders at our Oct 23 Networking Lunch & Learn to gain actionable insights from cybersecurity experts, share real-world challenges, and discover what’s next in AI and data protection. |
What Smart Business Leaders Ask Most About Cybersecurity
Q: What is ransomware, and how real is the threat?
Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts your data and demands payment to unlock it. It can also include threats to leak data if the ransom isn’t paid.
Why it matters:
Costs can be huge — both recovery costs and downtime.
It can damage customer trust and your reputation.
More businesses are being targeted, not just big corporations.
Q: How do attackers get in, and what are common weak points?
Some typical ways attackers breach networks or systems:
Phishing emails or links that trick someone into giving access.
Outdated or unpatched software that has known vulnerabilities.
Weak or reused passwords, lack of multi-factor authentication.
Why it matters: These gaps are often low-hanging fruit for attackers. Fixing them early can prevent big damage.
Q: What does a cybersecurity assessment show me?
A cybersecurity assessment (or penetration test, vulnerability scan) typically reveals:
What parts of your network are exposed (e.g. open ports, old software, weak credentials)
How likely is an attacker to exploit them
Priorities: what needs fixing first and what can wait
What you can do now to reduce risk
Why it matters: You get visibility into your real risk, not just assumptions. You can allocate resources more intelligently.
Q: What can companies do immediately to reduce risk?
Here are practical, low-cost/high-value steps:
Run a cybersecurity assessment to see weak spots now
Update critical software and apply security patches
Require strong, unique passwords and enable multi-factor authentication
Train employees to recognize phishing attacks and unsafe links
Segment your network (separate sensitive systems where possible)
How You’ll Learn These Answers (and More) on Oct 23
You don’t have to wait to get these insights. At our Networking Lunch & Learn on Oct 23 , you’ll:
Hear from experts what tools and strategies smart leaders are using
See case examples of real threats and how companies responded
Learn how to run or get a cybersecurity assessment for your business
Connect with Seattle’s business leaders facing similar challenges
👉 Reserve your free seat now to gain these insights and act before risks escalate.
At Stepfar Technology Group, we offer a range of cybersecurity solutions designed to protect your business from digital threats. To help you get started, we offer a free cybersecurity assessment and a free demo of our services. Reach out to us today to see how we can help secure your digital world.
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