This Week in Cybersecurity (2025-11-24): Startup Cybersecurity Pulse

Startup Lens

• Ransomware is still one of the top threats for attackers targeting any size company with valuable data, including small SaaS and early stage startups.

• Recent Chrome and 7-Zip exploits mean endpoint compromise risk is very high, especially for engineering teams.

• The DoorDash breach shows how social engineering + stolen contact data enables attacker access to startup customers, staff, or vendors.

Threats Most Relevant to Startups

Credential Theft & Social Engineering

• Contact info from consumer breaches helps attackers target startup employees and customers with convincing phishing and social engineering.

• Startups often lack mature identity governance → increasing susceptibility.

Ransomware & Double Extortion

• Even well known brands (Under Armour, LG Energy Solution, IGT) are getting hit by attackers that do not distinguish company size.

• Data theft is the priority, not encryption for start up companies.

Software Supply Chain

• Startups heavily rely on NPM, PyPI, and cloud/SaaS services; vulnerabilities in FortiWeb, Oracle Identity Manager, Chrome, and 7-Zip create attack surfaces.

AI Misconfig & API Leaks

• Many startups begin using LLMs without securing API keys, data flows, or access policies.

Recommended Actions for Startups

Immediate (0–7 days)

1. Require MFA and enforce password managers for all employees.

2. Patch Chrome, 7-Zip, and any Fortinet/Oracle components used by your hosting providers.

3. Lock down GitHub, cloud IAM roles, and API keys for any AI or backend system.

Strategic (30–90 days)

1. Implement a simple vendor risk process (focus on SaaS, cloud, payment providers).

2. Build a starter security program using CIS Controls Implementation Group 1.

3. Map AI data flows so customer data is never accidentally used for model training.