From text scams to data breaches: How businesses can strengthen their digital defences

Most professionals are aware of phishing emails, yet far fewer recognise the growing threat of text-based fraud. Short messages are direct, personal and often appear trustworthy. Attackers use them to impersonate banks, delivery companies or even managers, tricking recipients into clicking malicious links or revealing credentials. The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre warns that these scams are increasing every year, targeting both individuals and companies. While the content may seem harmless — a missed delivery, an urgent payment, or an account update — the goal is always the same: to collect sensitive information or install malware that grants access to business data.

Unlike traditional email phishing, text message scams exploit speed and emotion. People check messages instinctively, and the brevity of SMS communication leaves little room for doubt. Attackers rely on this quick response to capture valuable details before the target has time to think. These scams can lead to data breaches, identity theft and financial loss, especially when company devices or shared accounts are involved. Modern tools make it easy to automate the sending of thousands of messages, each adapted with realistic language and branding. What seems like a small-scale threat can therefore spread widely and compromise entire business networks.

Strong cybersecurity practices can neutralise most of these risks. A business password manager is one of the most practical tools for improving data protection. It stores every login securely, creates unique passwords for each service, and prevents employees from reusing weak credentials across platforms. This alone can block many attacks that depend on stolen passwords. When combined with two-factor authentication, restricted admin rights and regular updates, it becomes part of a complete defence strategy. Clear protocols for verifying links and handling sensitive information further reduce human error, which remains the main entry point for cyberattacks.

Technology will keep evolving, and so will the methods used to exploit it. The most resilient companies are those that make cybersecurity part of their everyday culture. Organising short awareness sessions, encouraging employees to report suspicious messages and updating protection policies regularly all contribute to stronger defences. Prevention is rarely expensive, but recovering from a breach can be devastating. Businesses that invest in security tools and informed practices not only protect their data but also earn the trust of their clients. Staying alert, questioning the unexpected and using digital safeguards consistently are the new essentials of modern professionalism.