Cutbacks across the board mean cutbacks in security, obviously. And that's just what the crooks are counting on.New projections from Gartner show global security spending increasing at a dramatically reduced rate in 2009.

While Gartner's admittedly "optimistic" forecast calls for a 13 percent hike in security expenditures next year, that's down from current 23 growth percent rates.

Those budget trims, accompanied by an increase in the number of tech-savvy personnel out of work, not to mention the increasingly well-organized global cybercrime infrastructure, will undoubtedly be reflected in a surge in exploits.

It's a vicious cycle, and one that small and midsized businesses need to be especially cognizant of. As you look at next year's tech budget, look for every possible way to keep your security investment at least at this year's levels.

Unlike the economy, the threat environment is not retreating, and you don't want to make things any easier for the criminals and hackers.