Why Cybersecurity Is a Shared Responsibility for Small Businesses in Puyallup and Sumner

Small businesses help define Puyallup and Sumner. Downtown retailers, restaurants, salons, professional firms, healthcare providers, manufacturers, and family-owned companies support jobs and strengthen the Puyallup Valley’s economy. Local events, farmers markets, and the Washington State Fair also bring substantial customer activity to the area.

These businesses increasingly rely on connected devices, online accounts, payment platforms, and customer information to operate. A stolen password or compromised device can interrupt service, expose sensitive information, and damage customer trust. The risk can be especially challenging for owners who manage cybersecurity alongside staffing, finances, inventory, and customer service.

Comcast Business's newly released 2026 Cybersecurity Threat Report makes it clear that cybersecurity is a shared responsibility and a risk for small businesses in Puyallup and Sumner. The report analyzed 79.3 billion cybersecurity events over the past year, which is roughly 2,514 per second. In Small Business Month 2026 (May) alone, Comcast Business blocked threats targeting small businesses at an average rate of more than 230 per second.

Cybercriminals are moving away from breaking into accounts, devices and networks, and instead using legitimate logins or taking over everyday devices that are not immediately thought of as a cyber risk. Building devices like security cameras outside a storefront, routers in the back office, TVs providing entertainment for customers and point-of-sale (POS) systems are often unprotected and are becoming low-lift tools for hackers to exploit in attacks.

Phishing emails and drive-by compromise attacks are some of the most common routes for attackers to gain entry, with 25.4 billion and 21.9 billion attempts over the past year, respectively. The report also found 5.8 million attempts to gain control of employee browsers, underscoring that the cyberattack surface has grown to include everyday tools and devices.

Fortunately, there are simple ways that small businesses can protect themselves without the budget or IT team of a large enterprise. Practical steps, including securing every device, implementing stronger password mandates, and training employees to spot attacks like phishing, can keep small businesses from becoming victims. Additionally, choosing a network provider that offers built-in protection against threats and consistent monitoring ensures business owners can stay on top of their security.

It’s more important than ever for small businesses in Puyallup and Sumner to use this Cybersecurity Awareness Month as a reminder that cybersecurity is a shared, year-round responsibility. Through protective measures and a trusted connectivity partner, small business owners can stay focused on running their business.

For more information, visit https://business.comcast.com/resources/enterprise/reports/2026-comcast-business-cybersecurity-threat-report, or reach out to your local Comcast Business manager Eric Bartha at (253) 993-0879 or Eric_Bartha@comcast.com.