SMEs Face Rising Cyber Risks Amid AI Adoption Surge

As AI tools become more integrated into business operations, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are increasingly vulnerable to cyber threats. Rubrik's Lloyd Timcke highlighted that while South Africa leads Africa in AI adoption, cyber security readiness lags significantly behind, with only 44% readiness compared to 55% AI adoption. SMEs are under pressure to digitize but lack the necessary skills and controls to manage emerging risks effectively. The shift in cyber threats towards identity-based attacks further complicates the landscape, as criminals exploit stolen credentials. The growing complexity introduced by AI systems, which often operate with their own digital identities, increases risk exposure. Practical steps for SMEs include focusing on access control and implementing multifactor authentication to safeguard against credential-based attacks. The ITWeb Security Summit 2026 is set to address these challenges and promote awareness among SMEs.

Key Points: • SMEs are particularly vulnerable as AI adoption outpaces cyber security readiness. • Only 44% of organizations in sub-Saharan Africa are prepared for cyber threats. • Identity-based attacks are becoming the primary method of cyber intrusion.