In 2022, businesses in Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific, particularly in retail and construction, faced a surge in cyberattacks, outpacing incidents in critical sectors such as healthcare and utilities. This trend indicates that smaller, Main Street businesses are increasingly becoming targets for cybercriminals, who often view them as more vulnerable due to their limited resources for cybersecurity. The rise in attacks could lead to significant financial losses, operational disruptions, and compromise of customer data, which would have lasting impacts on these businesses and their clients. As cyber threats evolve, it’s crucial for these industries to strengthen their defenses and adopt better security practices to protect against future breaches.