Cybersecurity in Business Finance: Safeguarding Your Company in 2025

By Trevor Mahoney for Gateway Commercial Finance

As companies increasingly utilize digital solutions, cybersecurity has transitioned from a mere IT concern to a critical business priority. In 2025, the landscape of business finance is shaped not just by data and transactions but by a host of cybersecurity challenges, influenced by remote work, cloud storage, and digital currencies. For business owners, finance executives, and the general public alike, safeguarding against cyber threats should be paramount.

The Critical Importance of Cybersecurity in Financial Transactions

Financial transaction integrity—covering payments, payroll, and billing—is essential for maintaining trust and ensuring legal compliance in any organization. Gateway Commercial Finance has analyzed data from reputable sources, like the World Economic Forum and IBM, to highlight the most pressing cybersecurity risks businesses face today, as well as the regulatory frameworks that guide compliance. Understanding these elements is vital for securing financial operations.

The 2025 Cyber Threat Landscape

The Global Cybersecurity Outlook report from the World Economic Forum revealed that 72% of organizations reported heightened cyber risks in early 2025. As technologies evolve, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), businesses encounter new and sophisticated threats. Here are five prevalent cyber threats as of 2025:

1. Ransomware and Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS)

Ransomware remains a dominant threat, involving malware that encrypts business data, demanding ransom for its recovery. Given that the average cost of a data breach reached $4.4 million in 2025, many companies face pressure to pay ransoms, perpetuating this criminal activity.

2. Supply Chain Attacks and Third-Party Risks

Modern businesses rely on numerous vendors, making them vulnerable to supply chain attacks. A breach in a single vendor can compromise an entire system. The World Economic Forum classifies these vulnerabilities as one of the leading systematic risks businesses face, often due to a lack of visibility into vendor security.

3. AI-Powered and Deepfake Cyber Attacks

Artificial intelligence, while beneficial for defense, also enables more convincing and scalable cyberattacks. Incidents involving deepfake technology, like the January 2024 attack on the engineering firm Arup, showcase the potential for significant losses due to manipulated video calls or AI-generated phishing attempts.

4. Internal Threats from Employees and Partners

Risks to financial systems can also arise from within. Employees or partners, whether intentionally or accidentally, may expose systems through careless actions like misconfiguring access or introducing malware. A 2024 report from Proofpoint indicated that 75% of Chief Information Security Officers consider human error to be their top risk.

5. Business Email Compromise (BEC) and Social Engineering

Cyber criminals often target employees through compromised email accounts, posing as trusted vendors or executives. This can lead to unauthorized funds transfers or data manipulation, making employee vigilance critical. According to the CrowdStrike 2025 Global Threat Report, compromised identities are a leading cause of data loss.

Real-World Impact: Case Studies

Small-to-Medium Enterprises (SMEs)

SMEs are especially vulnerable to cyberattacks because limited resources can exacerbate the impact of even minor breaches. For many, a cyber incident could lead to operational paralysis or permanent closure. A VikingCloud study revealed that one in five SMEs believe they would fold after a cyberattack.

The Rise of AI in Cyberattacks

CrowdStrike’s report indicates that attackers are increasingly harnessing generative AI to enhance phishing tactics, impersonating senior staff to bypass defenses and exploit vulnerabilities.

Hospitality Sector Vulnerabilities

A separate VikingCloud study found that 82% of North American hotels suffered cyberattacks in a single summer. The rapid staff turnover and reliance on guest-facing technology create a perfect storm for potential breaches.

Navigating Regulatory Waters

In 2025, the regulatory landscape is evolving to combat rising cybersecurity risks. Businesses must adhere to various data protection laws, including:

• General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the EU
• California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)
• Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) in Canada

Moreover, industry-specific regulations like HIPAA for healthcare and financial compliance laws such as Anti-Money Laundering, and Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) are crucial for maintaining operational integrity.

Steps to Enhance Financial Transaction Security

To mitigate cyber risks, businesses must implement comprehensive security measures. Here are seven essential actions:

1. Implement Strong Encryption

Data communication linked to financial transactions must employ robust, up-to-date encryption standards. Backups should also be encrypted to secure sensitive business information.

2. Adopt Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Employing MFA adds an additional security layer by requiring verification through multiple channels. This significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access.

3. Conduct Regular Updates and Vulnerability Management

Regularly updating all assets, including software and third-party tools, is vital. Conducting vulnerability assessments and penetration testing helps identify weaknesses before attackers exploit them.

4. Foster a Security-Aware Culture

Training employees to recognize threats like phishing and social engineering can transform potential liabilities into assets. Role-specific training can enhance this approach, particularly for teams handling sensitive financial transactions.

5. Assess Vendor and Third-Party Risks

Perform thorough due diligence on all vendors, including inquiries about their cybersecurity practices and compliance with relevant regulations. Consider contractual protections for long-term agreements.

6. Develop Incident Response and Recovery Plans

Having a clear incident response plan ensures that businesses can swiftly address cyber threats when they occur, detailing responsibilities, communication strategies, and recovery procedures.

7. Maintain Backups

Regularly backing up critical data and storing it securely offline can mitigate the effects of cyberattacks. Testing backups is equally important to ensure their integrity when needed.

Building a Resilient Financial Future

As cyber threats grow in sophistication, particularly with the advancement of AI, the stakes for business financial data and transactions are higher than ever. Company leaders should cultivate a robust cybersecurity strategy centered on identity security, comprehensive encryption, employee training, and well-structured incident response plans. Preparing adequately today will safeguard your business against tomorrow’s threats.

This article was produced by Gateway Commercial Finance, with a commitment to helping businesses navigate the complex cybersecurity landscape.