Cheapskates wouldn't pay for security help, got hit by ransomware, and went bust months later

This article underscores how underinvesting in basic security controls can become an existential business risk: a small construction firm refused outside help, stayed on an unpatched server with a local backup attached, and was ultimately crippled by ransomware and forced out of business. It also shows that modern phishing can bypass user awareness and even 2FA through identity compromise, making email security, conditional access, anomaly detection, and backup resilience strategic priorities rather than optional IT features. For IT organizations, the message is clear: security must be treated as a business continuity function, not a cost center, especially for small and mid-sized firms that assume they are too small to target.