Bridging the Cybersecurity Skills Gap: Essential Insights for SMBs

Cybersecurity threats are evolving faster than most small and mid-sized businesses can react—largely due to a growing shortage of skilled professionals. In this eye-opening whitepaper, Sophos reveals that 52% of SMBs cite a lack of in-house expertise as their top challenge, leaving many vulnerable to threats like ransomware, especially during off-hours. With nearly all respondents struggling to investigate suspicious activity effectively, this report explores how constrained teams can still build resilience through smarter tools, managed services, and strategic prioritization. Get the insights that can help your organization navigate today's threat landscape and close the skills gap—before the next attack.

Key Takeaways

• 52% of SMBs rank cybersecurity skills shortage among their top risks, second only to zero-day threats.
• 91% of ransomware attacks occur outside regular business hours—when SMBs are least equipped to respond.
• 96% of SMBs struggle to investigate suspicious alerts effectively due to limited expertise.
• The report offers practical guidance on mitigating threats with lean teams and modern security frameworks.