Written by Kelsey Beauchamp
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While you're setting goals to grow your business in 2026, cybercriminals are doing the same — and guess what? You're on their list.
They’re not meditating on mindfulness or hitting the gym. They’re sharpening their scams, improving their impersonation tactics, and actively targeting small businesses across North Dakota and Minnesota — especially those in Fargo, Moorhead, West Fargo, Grand Forks, and surrounding areas.
They count on one thing: you’re too busy to notice them coming.
Let’s take a look at their playbook — and how you can flip the script.
Resolution #1: “Send Better Phishing Emails That Actually Work”
Gone are the days of bad grammar and shady links. Thanks to AI, scam emails now:
- Sound like your real vendors
- Reference actual invoices
- Arrive when your team is most distracted (like right after the holidays)
Example:
“Hi Mike, I tried resending the invoice but it bounced. Can you double-check the email address for accounting? Here’s the updated file — let me know if anything looks off. Thanks!”
That email doesn’t sound suspicious — and that’s exactly the point.
How to protect your team:
✅ Train employees to verify, not just trust.
✅ Flag any request involving money or credentials.
✅ Use smart email filters that detect impersonation, not just spam.
Resolution #2: “Impersonate Vendors, CEOs, and Staff”
Cybercriminals are now spoofing emails and even voices. One of our Fargo-area clients received a voice call that sounded exactly like their CEO — asking for a wire transfer during a “meeting.” It wasn’t him.
Common impersonation scams:
- “New bank details” from a trusted vendor
- “Urgent payment” texts from leadership
- Deepfake voice calls asking for “quick favors”
What to do:
✅ Set a callback policy for financial changes
✅ Never trust account changes via email or text
✅ Enable MFA (multi-factor authentication) on all financial accounts
Resolution #3: “Target Small Businesses Like Yours — Harder Than Ever”
Hackers used to focus on big corporations. Not anymore.
Now they’re targeting:
- Fargo-area small businesses with 5–50 employees
- Companies without dedicated IT security staff
- Busy teams juggling everything from payroll to tech headaches
Why? Because smaller businesses are often easier to breach — but still lucrative.
Your move:
✅ Implement basic protections like MFA, patching, and tested backups
✅ Stop thinking “we’re too small to be a target”
✅ Partner with a local IT team that knows how to keep you off the radar
Resolution #4: “Exploit New Hires and Tax Season Chaos”
January brings two things hackers love:
- New employees who don’t know internal policies
- Tax season — a goldmine of sensitive information
A common scam:
An email from “HR” asking for W-2s gets sent to the wrong person. Suddenly, every employee’s SSN, address, and salary is in the wrong hands.
How to defend your team:
✅ Train new hires before granting full system access
✅ Create clear “we never do this” policies around payroll and tax docs
✅ Celebrate cautious behavior — not speed
Resolution #5: “Count on Businesses to Be Reactive, Not Proactive”
Hackers are betting you’ll deal with a breach after it happens.
But smart businesses in Fargo, Grand Forks, Wahpeton, and throughout the Red River Valley are shifting to prevention-first.
Here’s what that looks like with IMS (Information Management Systems):
- 24/7 threat monitoring
- Clear verification policies for money and access
- Staff training on modern scams
- Fast, friendly support — even after hours
- Backups that are tested (not just assumed)
- Updates and patching before problems arise
Book a 15-Minute New Year Cybersecurity Check
If you’re a small business within 200 miles of Fargo, ND, let’s make sure your business doesn’t end up as someone else’s success story in 2026.
✅ No jargon
✅ No scare tactics
✅ Just a clear picture of where you’re vulnerable — and how to fix it
👉 Book Your Security Reality Check with IMS
📍 Serving Fargo, Moorhead, Grand Forks, Wahpeton, Detroit Lakes, and beyond
📞 (701) 364-2718
FAQs: New Year Cybersecurity for Small Businesses
- Are small businesses really targeted more than large ones?
Yes. Cybercriminals are focusing on small to mid-sized businesses because they’re often easier to breach but still profitable. - What is MFA, and do I really need it?
Multi-Factor Authentication adds a second layer of protection. Even if someone steals your password, they can’t access your system without a second code or device. It’s one of the best low-cost protections you can implement. - How often should we train our employees on security?
At least annually, with extra training during onboarding and before high-risk periods like tax season. - What makes IMS different from other IT providers in the Fargo area?
We’re local, fast, and proactive. We don’t just fix what’s broken — we help prevent issues in the first place. Our team is known for responsiveness and long-term relationships. - Is this something my business insurance already covers?
Not fully. While cyber liability insurance may help after an incident, it doesn’t protect your data, staff, or reputation ahead of time. Prevention is still your best bet.
