By Andy Montgomery, CEO of FMS Bank
Running a small business has never been simple. Local business owners make decisions every day about serving customers, supporting employees, managing finances, and planning for what’s next.
Today, those responsibilities also include protecting the business from cybersecurity threats that have become part of everyday operations.
For many small and midsize businesses, cybersecurity can feel like something only large corporations need to worry about. The reality is often the opposite. Cybercriminals frequently target smaller organizations because they expect fewer resources dedicated to cybersecurity, while knowing that small businesses move quickly, process valuable transactions, and rely on digital communication every day.
What Does Small Business Cybercrime Look Like?
The reality is that most cyberattacks don’t begin with sophisticated technology. They begin with ordinary business activity.
A familiar-looking email from a vendor. A text message asking someone to verify an account. A request to update payment instructions before an invoice is processed. These messages are designed to look routine because they rely on one thing: catching someone during a busy day when there isn’t time to stop and ask a few extra questions.
That’s why cybersecurity is no longer just an IT conversation. It’s a business conversation.
Understanding Phishing and Smishing
Phishing refers to fraudulent attempts to obtain sensitive information through email-based scams, while smishing involves similar deceptive tactics delivered via text-message-based scams. They are considered the most common and dangerous cyber threats because they bypass technical defenses by targeting human behavior and trust.
The following are examples of phishing and smishing scams, characterized by uncommon requests for information, unfamiliar email addresses, and suspicious links.
PHISHING EXAMPLES
SMISHING EXAMPLES
Cybersecurity Best Practices for Your Business
The strongest cybersecurity strategies combine technology with awareness, communication, and good business practices. Small businesses that encourage employees to verify unusual requests, establish clear financial controls, and talk openly about cybersecurity are often better prepared to recognize threats before they become costly problems.
Preparation has always been one of the best ways to manage risk. The same is true for cybersecurity. Taking time to review internal processes, educate employees, and strengthen financial safeguards can help small businesses reduce opportunities for fraud while building confidence in their day-to-day operations.
That approach reflects what community banking has always been about. It’s not simply responding when challenges arise. It’s helping businesses prepare before they do.
Community Banking Beyond the Transaction
At FMS Bank, helping businesses prepare for the future has always been part of community banking in Northern Colorado. Today, that includes conversations about fraud prevention, financial safeguards, and the practical steps small businesses can take to reduce risk. As cyber threats continue to evolve, so does our commitment to helping local businesses protect what they’ve worked hard to build.
Cybersecurity will continue to evolve, just as businesses continue to evolve. With the right preparation, trusted relationships, and a proactive approach to protecting their operations, small businesses can focus on what they do best: serving customers, growing their businesses, and strengthening the Northern Colorado communities they call home.
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