Automation of companies’ processes, the shift to remote work, and a growing number of hacker attacks make cyber security the main priority for every enterprise. The problem was that a switch from offline mode to online mode happened in haste, exposing hundreds of SMEs to new threats. Cybercriminals saw a huge potential in that situation. Not so long ago, hackers mainly targeted big companies. They didn’t only steal valuable data but also mastered their skills. Cybercriminals found it enlightening and thrilling to break through sophisticated defense systems to steal valuable information.
However, times have changed. Hackers’ attention is glued to SMEs nowadays. Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, 50% of such attacks targeted small and medium businesses. It is not even a secret that practically every SME had to digitize to stay afloat. Though a strong online presence is a must for every business, digitalization means the inevitable expansion of exposure to malware.
What do cybercriminals steal?
- money
- data
How do they do it?
Quite predictably, hackers learned to take advantage of our emotions. That is why 75% of cyberattacks are done via email. Unsuspecting users open seemingly trustworthy letters and it leads to rather unpleasant outcomes such as malware and ransomware. To eliminate risk, users should pay attention to signs. These could be suspiciously looking links, requests for information, and strange subject lines. The majority of workers who were forced to work from home fell victim to spam and phishing. Only in 2021, the number of such attacks hit more than 10 million.
More often than not hackers automate attacks to target a large number of companies at once. As a result, SMEs can lose trust and clients. Studies say that almost 60% of businesses don’t survive a data breach. Bankruptcy is surely an unpleasant experience, but there is more to it than one could expect. Data breach settlement will cost even more if customers decide to take legal action. Companies that don’t want to run the risk of going out of business look for a reliable cybersecurity plan. The results of recent questionnaires also show that users are seriously worried about the safety of personal data. That is why almost 85% of online business customers refuse to buy from SMEs that can’t prove that their sites are safe and trustworthy.
As we have already mentioned, hackers demonstrate the wonders of creativity when creating phishing links. It is not enough to be attentive when clicking on any unknown link. Training and awareness raising is crucial if you want to reduce the risk of a cyber attack.
Some business owners also implement new user policies that don’t allow or significantly limit the chances of installing apps and software that are unrelated to work. Though this method proves to be effective, it doesn’t guarantee absolute protection. Today, all SMEs have to work on a solid cybersecurity strategy. Though the implementation of additional security measures will increase spending, it will pay off in the long run. Luckily for SME owners, many firms offer reliable plans. For instance, we, Abira’s team, help our customers to implement the latest security solutions and offer a data breach plan. Please, remember that the more you do to ensure safe cyberspace, the lower are risks of getting into trouble. If you want to learn more about the latest news of the cyber security world, stay tuned for more updates! We also urge you to subscribe to our blog to stay informed.