Cyberattacks rarely come out of nowhere. Most hackers do their homework, looking for clues that a company’s guard is down. While we’re all told to fix weak passwords and update old software, there are quieter, more overlooked signs that signal, “Hey, we’re an easy target!”
Let’s break down six under-the-radar red flags, and what to do about them.
1. Your digital footprint has quietly grown but your security budget hasn’t
New tools, cloud platforms, apps, and third-party services are great for getting work done faster. But with every new sign-up, your company’s digital footprint grows, and so does your exposure. If your security team isn’t keeping up, attackers might find old logins, forgotten test sites, or wide-open cloud storage.
Tip: Keep an eye on what’s exposed. Use tools that scan the internet for anything tied to your company, such as old websites, test apps, open storage, and more. Make sure your security spending keeps up with the new tools you’re adding, not just the old infrastructure.
2. Employees report more phishing emails but IT treats it as noise
If phishing emails are popping up more often, that’s not just annoying; it’s a clue. Hackers could be testing who falls for what, spoofing internal addresses, or figuring out who has privileged access. It’s the digital form of reconnaissance. What looks like spam might actually be phase one of a bigger, more targeted attack.
Tip: Take every phishing report seriously. Look for patterns. Are certain roles being targeted? Are fake emails getting sneakier? Keep your team in the loop and build a strong feedback system to spot attacks.
3. You’ve recently had public exposure
Just got funding? Announced a big partnership? Hackers are watching, too. They read the same press releases and LinkedIn posts that customers and investors do. Public wins make you look like a juicy target. Attackers know you’re probably onboarding fast, hiring like crazy, and maybe a little distracted. In short, the perfect time to strike.
Tip: Treat media buzz like a risk multiplier. Tighten access, double-check your alerts, and prep your teams for fake emails using your new exec’s name.
4. Critical staff use their personal devices for work and no one talks about it
Many C-level executives, founders, or engineers use personal devices for work-related tasks, especially when traveling or working after hours. If these devices aren’t covered by MDM or endpoint detection tools, they become invisible risks.
A single compromised device can give attackers access to your organization’s source code, customer data, or finance tools.
Tip: Build an executive cybersecurity program. Include secure communication apps, enforced MFA, and training on mobile-specific threats. Verify compliance regularly, not just through policy, but through tools like MDM platforms, endpoint security solutions, and mobile threat defense systems.
5. You’ve had multiple third-party vendors experience incidents
Supply chain attacks are a favorite among sophisticated threat actors. Even if your organization is secure, compromised vendors (especially those with API or data access) can be used to leapfrog into your systems.
Attackers often view a breached vendor as the first domino. If multiple partners have been hit, it’s statistically likely someone is already probing you, especially if you share similar tech stacks or cloud platforms.
Tip: Don’t just vet vendors once. Keep tabs on them after the contract is signed. Build a system for regular check-ins, breach notifications, and security updates for any third party that connects to your network.
6. Your incident response plan exists on paper but not in practice
A long PDF with flowcharts might tick the compliance box, but if no one’s ever tested it, it’s just theory. When a real attack happens, teams often freeze because no one’s sure who does what, contact info is outdated, or decisions get stuck waiting on approvals. And these problems usually don’t show up until everything’s already on fire.
Attackers count on this kind of confusion. The slower the response, the more time they have to move laterally, encrypt systems, or exfiltrate sensitive data undetected.
Tip: Conduct regular tabletop exercises involving not just IT and security but also legal, HR, PR, and executive leadership. Simulate real-world scenarios like ransomware or insider threats, and assess how your team performs under pressure. Focus on response speed, communication flow, and clarity of action. Use the outcomes to refine and evolve your response plan. Remember, in cybersecurity, practice isn’t optional. It’s survival.
Final thoughts: Awareness is your armor
Cyberattackers follow the breadcrumbs. And those breadcrumbs are often left by organizations that are growing fast, moving faster, and missing the warning signs—the subtle signals that attackers count on. Spotting them early means you’re staying ahead of cyberthreats. In this fight, awareness is your early warning system and your best defense.
