Cork Cyber Releases 2026 SMB Cybersecurity Report: Why AI-Powered Threats and Uninsurable Risks Demand a Security-First Future
“Cyber visibility that protects your financial future.”
BOULDER, CO — October 9, 2025 — Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are now at the epicenter of a seismic shift in cybersecurity. According to Cork Cyber’s newly released 2026 SMB Cybersecurity Insights Report, the traditional IT support model is obsolete, replaced by a threat landscape defined by AI-powered adversaries and business-ending financial risk.
Drawing insights from industry leaders including Vimeo CISO Ryan Weeks, Canalys Chief Analyst Jay McBain, Pax8 CVP Rob Rae, Datto founder Austin McChord, ScalePad CEO Chris Day, and DVx Ventures CEO Jon McNeill, the report outlines the inflection point where technology, economics, and human vulnerability collide.
The New Threat Nexus: AI Meets Human Weakness
Generative AI is now weaponized by cybercriminals to generate flawless phishing, automate malware, and scale attacks previously limited to nation-states. “The cybersecurity challenge is no longer just about defending against human adversaries; it’s about defending against AI-powered adversaries operating at machine speed,” said Jon McNeill, CEO of DVx Ventures.
Yet, as Ryan Weeks, CISO of Vimeo, warned: “My top concern is that SMBs are not overly concerned about ransomware. They think they’re too small to be targeted or assume it won’t happen to them. That complacency is the real vulnerability.”
The Uninsurable Risk: Why Cybersecurity Is Now Business Survival
For SMBs, the cost of a breach extends far beyond ransom demands—encompassing downtime, reputational damage, and regulatory fines. These business-ending consequences have made proactive security not optional but existential.
Chris Day, CEO of ScalePad, noted: “Too many providers are looking in the rearview mirror, reporting on past activity. What SMBs need are forward-looking strategies that build resilience before the next attack.”
The Great Pivot: From MSPs to MSSPs
The IT channel is bifurcating. Providers who pivot into security-first advisors—true MSSPs—are capturing the high-margin growth of a market expected to reach $282 billion by 2026. Those who remain reactive risk commoditization.
“Cybersecurity is no longer an add-on service; it is the foundation of the MSP model,” said Jay McBain, Chief Analyst at Canalys. “The partners who recognize this are the ones capturing growth.”
Cork Cyber’s Role: Actionable Visibility + Financial Protection
As MSPs grapple with these pressures, Cork Cyber is stepping into the gap. By combining risk visibility with financial protection, Cork provides both proactive defense and peace of mind.
“Clients don’t just need tools—they need certainty,” said Dan Candee, CEO of Cork Cyber. “We give MSPs the ability to see risks clearly, protect their clients, and guarantee outcomes with real financial coverage.”
Chris Hutton, CFO of Cork Cyber, reinforced this point: “We’ve already seen real payouts that saved businesses from going under. That’s why Cork exists: to turn cyber risk into financial security.”
Looking Forward
The report concludes that MSPs who embrace a security-first identity—supported by education, compliance expertise, and resilient BCDR strategies—will define the future of the channel.
Cork Cyber’s positioning reflects this urgency: “Cyber visibility that protects your financial future.”
For the full report and expert commentary, visit https://corkinc.com/threat-report
About Cork Cyber
Cork Cyber is the MSP-first cyber warranty and visibility platform, turning cyber risk into financial security. By combining active risk insights with financial protection, Cork helps partners protect their clients, drive growth, and build resilience in an evolving threat landscape.Backed by industry-leading investors including Top Down Ventures, DVx Ventures, Vestigo Ventures, and the Outsiders Fund, Cork is redefining cybersecurity for a new era.