Startup Cybersecurity Brief 2025 Week 51

Startup Cyber Risks This Week

• Credential theft at scale (AI phishing kits) is still the #1 practical pathway to ransomware/BEC. (The Hacker News)

• Perimeter device patch lag (Fortinet class) can be fatal for small IT teams—attackers move faster than sprint cycles. (BleepingComputer)

• Shadow spreadsheets create untracked “mini-databases” of sensitive info that bypass your controls and audit trails. (BleepingComputer)

Zero-budget fixes that matter now

• Turn on phishing-resistant MFA where possible; block legacy auth

• Lock admin consoles behind VPN / allowlists

• Centralize sensitive data away from ad-hoc spreadsheets; enforce sharing controls and retention

FAIR QuickQuant (startup scenario)

Scenario: “Account takeover → ransomware/downtime + data exposure”

• Loss Event Frequency (LEF) (annualized): 0.5 – 1.8 (Most likely ~1.0)

• Loss Magnitude (LM) (per event): $60k – $900k (Most likely ~$220k) (downtime + response + lost revenue + potential extortion)

• Biggest LEF reducer this week: identity controls + email security + patching exposed appliances