Bonita Biira
In today’s workplace, cybersecurity isn’t just an IT issue, it’s a business risk. Every file you send, every email you open, every login you create is an opportunity for cybercriminals to try and slip in. And they’re getting more strategic by the day.
If you're a small to mid-size business, you might think you're flying under the radar, but here's the reality: you're a prime target.
The Modern Cybercriminal: Smarter, Quicker, and Focused on You
Gone are the days of laughably fake phishing emails. Today’s cybercriminals do their research. They might know your company’s org chart, who’s in HR, or when your payroll typically runs. These scams are personalized, convincing, and built to catch busy people off guard.
And the volume is rising. According to the FBI’s 2023 Internet Crime Report, U.S. businesses reported $12.5 billion in losses from Business Email Compromise (BEC) scams alone, up from $2.4 billion in 2021.
Why Small and Mid-Size Businesses Are Especially Vulnerable
Big companies may make headlines, but small and mid-size businesses suffer disproportionately. In fact, in 2023 alone, 43% of cyberattacks targeted small businesses.
Why? Because small to mid-size businesses often lack the in-house IT resources and layered security systems that larger corporations have, making them easier targets for phishing, ransomware, and payroll fraud.
And the aftermath is expensive. A 2023 IBM report found that the average cost of a data breach for small businesses (under 500 employees) was $3.31 million.
Payroll & HR: A Goldmine for Cybercriminals
Your payroll and HR systems are especially attractive targets. They house sensitive employee data, bank 
account information, Social Security numbers, and W-2s, basically everything a cybercriminal needs to launch identity theft or financial fraud.
We’ve seen scams where someone impersonates an employee and emails HR to “update their direct deposit info," and if no one catches it? Payroll gets rerouted to a scammer’s account.
These attacks don’t just cost money. They erode trust, damage reputations, and lead to serious compliance issues.
It’s Not Just Tech, It’s Awareness
While firewalls, two-factor authentication, and encrypted platforms are essential, cybersecurity awareness is your first line of defense.
It only takes one well-meaning employee to click a bad link for your entire network to be compromised.
In fact, a staggering 74% of all breaches involve a human element, including social engineering, misuse, or error.
Training your team to recognize red flags, question unusual requests, and verify changes, especially around payroll or vendor payments, is one of the most effective things you can do to reduce your risk.
What You Can Do Right Now
Here are a few low-lift but high-impact actions to take today:
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Use strong, unique passwords wherever possible.
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Stay alert for phishing: Watch for urgency, misspellings, unfamiliar senders, or strange links.
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Talk to your payroll provider about their fraud prevention tools.
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Use high security multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all logins, especially payroll, HR, and financial systems, as email and text isn't always fully secure.
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Educate employees regularly on the latest scams and tactics.
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Verify changes to employee banking info or wire transfers through a second channel (e.g. by phone or in-person) before acting
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Limit access to sensitive data only to those who truly need it.
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Partner with providers that prioritize cybersecurity with built-in safeguards and proactive threat detection.
We’re in This Together
At Dominion Payroll, we believe cybersecurity isn’t a once-a-year checklist, it’s a mindset. That’s why we’re committed to keeping our clients informed, prepared, and protected.
To help you stay ahead of cyber threats, we’re hosting a free, high-impact webinar you won’t want to miss. In this session, we'll be joined by Steven Lenderman, Head of Fraud Prevention at isolved, to learn:
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How common cyber fraud schemes are affecting businesses
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What proactive steps you can take to protect your data
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How isolved is staying ahead of evolving threats with cutting-edge tools and fraud prevention features
