PC Onsite November Tech Update: The Cyber Threat Landscape Has Changed — Fast

Welcome to PC Onsites Monthly Tech Update! In this November edition, we explore how the cyber threat landscape has changed dramatically — and what it means for New Zealand’s small and medium-sized businesses.

The Cyber Threat Landscape Is Exploding

Recent research from N-able reveals how quickly the danger has escalated. In just 12 months, the number of detected cyber threats jumped from 48,749 (June 2024) to over 13.3 million (June 2025) — a jaw-dropping 273× increase.

Cyber-criminals are now smarter, faster, and more organised than ever, using AI-driven automation and social engineering to target businesses that once thought they were “too small to be noticed.”

Ransomware & Malware on the Rise

In the first half of 2025 alone:

• 1.9 million ransomware detections

• 3.3 million malware infections

These attacks can spread in minutes, locking your critical systems and holding your data hostage. Recovery costs and downtime often far exceed the ransom itself.

Phishing Remains the #1 Threat

Phishing continues to be the leading cause of breaches. Attackers craft convincing messages that look like real invoices, supplier quotes, or login prompts.

Quick Tip: Always confirm sender details and never click suspicious links, even if they appear to come from a familiar name.

AI-Powered Scams Are the New Normal

Cyber-criminals now use artificial intelligence to create lifelike fake voices, cloned websites, and personalised phishing emails. A scammer can even mimic a company director’s voice or style to authorise a fake payment.

Training your staff to pause and verify before responding to urgent requests can prevent serious losses.

Compliance Alone Isn’t Enough

Following compliance standards (ISO, GDPR, NIST) doesn’t guarantee full protection. True cybersecurity requires continuous effort:

• 24/7 threat monitoring

• Regular patching and updates

• Secure off-site backups

• Tested incident response plans

Security is only as strong as your last update.

Identity Is the New Front Line

Most breaches begin with stolen or weak passwords. Protect your digital identity with:

• Strong unique passwords

• Multi-Factor Authentication (2FA)

• Routine access reviews

A single weak credential can compromise your whole network.

Simple Defences That Work

Even small changes can dramatically lower your risk:

✅ Cyber-awareness training for staff

✅ Secure cloud backups of all critical data

✅ Automated software updates

✅ Password managers and 2FA

✅ Regular IT health checks

These are practical, low-cost measures any business can start today.

Stay Protected with PC Onsite

At PC Onsite, we help New Zealand businesses strengthen their cybersecurity posture through:

• Proactive monitoring & maintenance

• Employee cyber training

• Cloud backup solutions

• Endpoint security management

• IT support tailored for SMBs