© Copyright Acquisition International 2025 - All Rights Reserved.

Article Image - These Are the Four Tech Hurdles All Businesses Must Overcome to Grow & Succeed in the Second Half of 2025
Posted 9th July 2025

These Are the Four Tech Hurdles All Businesses Must Overcome to Grow & Succeed in the Second Half of 2025

A LEADING tech and business expert has outlined the four biggest hurdles SMEs are likely to face in the second half of 2025.

Mouse Scroll AnimationScroll to keep reading

Let us help promote your business to a wider following.

These Are the Four Tech Hurdles All Businesses Must Overcome to Grow & Succeed in the Second Half of 2025
Close up of hands typing on a laptop in coffee shop.

A LEADING tech and business expert has outlined the four biggest hurdles SMEs are likely to face in the second half of 2025. 

Roy Shelton, the CEO of the Connectus Group, believes businesses cybersecurity and AI will present the biggest challenges. 

And creating a digital legacy and addressing an industry-wide skills gap are hurdles too.

Roy said: “The midway point of the year is an important moment for all businesses. It’s a chance to reflect on progress across the board and the challenges that lie. All too often roadmaps neglect to take into account the technical challenges a business faces. 

“The best companies, and the ones who grow the quickest, are those who put tech development at the heart of their wider business strategy

“As ever, the businesses that adapt first will be the ones that thrive.

Here Roy shares the four areas he’d advise business owners to focus on in creating a tech-roadmap for the second half of 2025.

Cybersecurity and Data Protection

With cyber threats growing in scale and sophistication, UK SMEs remain prime targets for attacks. According to recent reports, over 43% of cyber attacks are aimed at small businesses, yet many lack the resources for robust protection.

Threats like phishing, ransomware, and supply chain vulnerabilities are all on the rise. Compounding this is the continued evolution of data protection regulations such as GDPR and the UK’s Data Protection and Digital Information Bill. Many SMEs are still underprepared in areas like:

  • Endpoint security for hybrid/remote workers
  • Real-time threat detection
  • Staff awareness training
  • Compliance documentation and auditing

The cost of a data breach both financial and reputational can be devastating, making cybersecurity a top technical priority. Whilst we often read about the high profile victims – like Harrods, the Co-Op, North Face, Cartier and M&S – it would be entirely wrong to assume that smaller businesses are not also being targeted.

Integrating and Scaling AI

Artificial Intelligence has moved from buzzword to business essential, offering SMEs opportunities to automate, predict, and personalise like never before. However, many UK SMEs struggle to implement AI effectively due to:

  • Limited access to quality data
  • Lack of in-house AI expertise
  • Unclear return on investment
  • Security concerns 

Off-the-shelf AI tools, such as customer service chatbots or predictive analytics platforms, are becoming more accessible, but without a clear AI strategy, SMEs risk falling behind. The challenge is not just adoption it is now more about intelligent and value-driven integration.

Legacy Systems and Technical Debt

Many SMEs have grown organically over the years, often resulting in patchwork IT infrastructures. Outdated software, siloed systems, and custom-built platforms can slow down innovation and increase maintenance costs.

In 2025, the pressure to modernise IT environments is greater than ever due to:

  • Rising customer expectations for digital experiences
  • The shift to cloud-native solutions
  • Increasing interoperability demands from partners and suppliers
  • The need for real-time data across departments

Transitioning from legacy systems requires investment, planning, and sometimes a willingness to disrupt entrenched thinking – “the way we’ve always done things”.

Digital Skills Shortage

The UK’s digital skills gap continues to widen, and SMEs are particularly vulnerable. While large firms can attract top tech talent with high salaries and benefits, the rest often struggle to recruit or retain qualified professionals in areas such as:

  • Cybersecurity
  • Data analytics
  • Software development
  • Cloud infrastructure
  • AI/Machine Learning

This shortage makes it difficult for SMEs to deliver digital projects on time or innovate at scale. Upskilling existing staff and leveraging external partners are short-term solutions, but the long-term challenge remains structural.

Roy added: “UK SMEs are the backbone of the economy, but their technical challenges in 2025 are both real and rising.

“Tackling these issues of cybersecurity, AI adoption, legacy systems improvements and integration  and digital talent requires not just technology investment, but leadership vision, strategic planning, and trusted partnerships.

Categories: News, Strategy, Technology


You Might Also Like
Read Full PostRead - Eye Icon
Air Liquide’s Acquisition of Airgas on Track
Strategy
26/01/2016Air Liquide’s Acquisition of Airgas on Track

Air Liquide, world leader in gases, technologies and services for Industry and Health, and Airgas the leading supplier of packaged gases and associated products and services in the United States, announce the date of the special meeting of Airgas’ shareholde

Read Full PostRead - Eye Icon
The World’s Risk Capital
Finance
23/03/2017The World’s Risk Capital

Established in 1971, the Bermuda Stock Exchange (BSX) is now the leading fully electronic offshore securities market. The firm recently won the Most Outstanding Offshore Stock Exchange 2016 as part of the 2016 Global Excellence Awards.

Read Full PostRead - Eye Icon
How to Conduct Market Research For The Banking Industry
News
03/06/2024How to Conduct Market Research For The Banking Industry

Introduction In today’s rapidly evolving financial landscape, conducting market research is crucial for banks and credit unions to maintain a competitive edge and meet the ever-changing needs of their customers. Market research provides invaluable insigh

Read Full PostRead - Eye Icon
Law Firm SEO Ranking Factors and Tips For Improving Your Rankings
Legal
04/05/2023Law Firm SEO Ranking Factors and Tips For Improving Your Rankings

In today's digital age, search engine optimization (SEO) is crucial for law firms that want to establish a strong online presence and attract new clients.

Read Full PostRead - Eye Icon
Do it yourself: How self-service checkouts are saving companies cash
Innovation
01/02/2019Do it yourself: How self-service checkouts are saving companies cash

Advancements in technology have had an effect on the way we do our shopping on the high street, as we constantly look to find ways of making the experience as smooth as possible. With no sign of developments slowing down in the world of retail — we investiga

Read Full PostRead - Eye Icon
UK Automotive Strengthens Korean Business Links
Strategy
29/04/2015UK Automotive Strengthens Korean Business Links

Wednesday 29 April 2015 The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) will this month lead a delegation of specialist UK automotive companies in a trade visit to Seoul, as the industry seeks to strengthen business links and partnerships with Korean com

Read IssueRead - Eye Icon
Issue 9 2024
Issues
05/09/2024Issue 9 2024

As we approach the end of 2024’s third quarter, we take another moment to appreciate what has gone in the months before. Recently, we have crowned a range of tenacious and committed individuals and businesses and, here, we wish to showcase and celebrate thei

Read Full PostRead - Eye Icon
Law Firms and Cyber Security: The 4 Most Common Cyber Threats
Legal
28/09/2020Law Firms and Cyber Security: The 4 Most Common Cyber Threats

Data breaches are becoming more prevalent and the legal sector is a favoured target and is falling victim to cyber-attacks at an alarming rate. Guy Lloyd at CySure explains the 4 most common cyber threats and why the legal sector should step up its focus on cy

Read Full PostRead - Eye Icon
Not Losing Interest
Finance
13/02/2017Not Losing Interest

Cavmont Bank Ltd’s vision is to be a world class bank rated amongst the best in Zambia with a focus on partnering with all their stakeholders. Following their success in winning the 2016 Banker of the Year Zambia



Our Trusted Brands

Acquisition International is a flagship brand of AI Global Media. AI Global Media is a B2B enterprise and are committed to creating engaging content allowing businesses to market their services to a larger global audience. We have a number of unique brands, each of which serves a specific industry or region. Each brand covers the latest news in its sector and publishes a digital magazine and newsletter which is read by a global audience.

Arrow