Rising global tensions are now spilling into cyberspace. In recent months, U.S. officials have warned businesses to prepare for potential cyber retaliation tied to international conflicts, with particular concern about state-linked actors from Iran.
Experts caution that attacks aimed at one entity or region can easily ripple across borders, affecting companies far outside the immediate conflict zone
Constructure Technologies is here to share the story, reported on by the Wall Street Journal.
What’s Happening?
The first half of 2025 has seen a sharp escalation in global cyber incidents:
- 49% increase in ransomware attacks compared to the same period in 2024, with over 4,000 organizations posted to leak sites.
- Iran-linked groups identified in campaigns targeting U.S. organizations, often using phishing, social engineering, and exploits in VPNs or enterprise applications as entry points.
- Supply chain risk: Attackers are increasingly exploiting service providers and third-party vendors to gain access to multiple businesses at once.
- Data exposure as leverage: Nearly 74% of ransomware cases in Q2 2025 involved exfiltrating sensitive data before making ransom demands .
Why Mid-Sized Companies Should Be on High Alert
While critical infrastructure and defense firms remain obvious targets, mid-sized companies are often the ones most at risk. Businesses with 51–200 staff members and revenues between $5M and $25M have become a sweet spot for attackers.
Why?
- They have valuable data and financial resources but typically lack enterprise-level cybersecurity budgets.
- Their teams are smaller, making it harder to patch vulnerabilities quickly.
- Heavy reliance on third-party providers creates more openings for attackers.
- Operational disruptions, even for a few days, can have outsized financial and reputational impacts.
The Verizon 2025 Data Breach Report confirmed that SMBs are nearly four times more likely to be targeted than large enterprises .
What Tactics Are Adversaries Using?
- Phishing & vishing: Social engineering and MFA fatigue campaigns are on the rise.
- Exploited vulnerabilities: Unpatched systems (especially VPNs and firewalls) remain the top entry point .
- Disruptive malware: Beyond ransomware, state-linked actors are deploying wipers—malware that destroys data outright.
- Disinformation campaigns: AI-generated content is being used to erode trust in institutions and amplify geopolitical tensions .
How Your Business Can Prepare
You don’t need to be a defense contractor to be affected by these risks. Here are key steps mid-sized businesses should take now:
- Tighten access controls: Enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA), rotate credentials, and restrict admin privileges.
- Patch critical systems: Apply updates quickly to VPNs, firewalls, and any internet-facing services.
- Harden backups: Store backups offline or in immutable cloud storage; test your recovery process regularly.
- Train your people: Teach staff to spot phishing, vishing, and suspicious requests before damage is done.
- Join intelligence networks: Connect with CISA, industry ISACs, or trusted cybersecurity partners for real-time threat updates.
- Have a playbook ready: Run tabletop exercises that simulate ransomware or state-backed cyberattacks so your team knows how to respond under pressure.
Final Takeaway
Geopolitical conflicts have expanded the threat landscape for everyone. If your business operates in the U.S., you’re part of the target map.
Proactive cybersecurity isn’t optional anymore. The cost of downtime, data loss, and reputational harm far outweighs the investment in prevention.
Want expert support to strengthen your defences against ransomware and nation-state threats? Contact Constructure Technologies at 631-396-7777 to protect your business before it’s too late.