In an increasingly digital environment, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are not spared from cyber attacks. In fact, they are often prime targets for cybercriminals who consider them to be less well protected than larger organisations. However, cybersecurity is crucial to ensuring business continuity and protecting sensitive data. This article explores the main cybersecurity risks faced by SMEs and sugests specific solutions to strengthen their protection.
The main cybersecurity risks for SMEs
Ransomware attacks
Ransomware is one of the most worrying cyberthreats to SMEs. This type of attack works by encrypting critical company data, making it inaccessible until a ransom is paid. While some SMEs may be tempted to pay to get their data back, there is no guarantee that cybercriminals will keep their promise. Worse still, paying a ransom may encourage future attacks.
A prime example is that of French company Sopra Steria: attacked by ransomware in 2020, it paralysed part of the business for several weeks. While large companies can sometimes absorb the financial impact of such an attack, SMEs who have limited financial flexibility, face the risk of irreversible losses.
Ransomware targets SMEs precisely because their security systems are often less sophisticated than those of large corporations. It is therefore crucial to adopt robust solutions in order to prevent these attacks and respond to them.
Phishing
Phishing is a common method used by cybercriminals to trick users into believing they are interacting with a legitimate source. The aim is to persuade users to divulge confidential information, such as login credentials or banking details. In 2020, a study revealed that 22% of data breaches came from phishing.
Phishing usually takes the form of emails or messages that appear to come from trusted sources, such as banks, service providers or business partners. For example, a cybercriminal might send an email – which appears to come from a company’s internal IT department – asking employees to reset their passwords. If employees are not trained to recognise such attacks, they could unknowingly provide valuable information to the attackers.
Another type of phishing, called “spear phishing”, is even more dangerous since it is a custom phishing attack intended to target a specific person or department within the company. SMEs need to be particularly vigilant, as a simple mistake can lead to serious consequences, such as data theft or intrusion into internal systems.
Security vulnerabilities on mobile devices
The rise of remote working and use of mobile devices has opened up new avenues for cybercriminals. Smartphones, tablets and laptops used by employees to access internal company systems are prime targets since these devices are often less well protected than traditional workstations.
Cyberattackers will take advantage of various vulnerabilities: use of weak passwords; lack of data encryption; connection to unsecured public Wi-Fi networks; and more. Another threat comes from malicious applications downloaded onto mobile devices, which can be used as a gateway to access corporate systems.
Security vulnerabilities on mobile devices can also be exploited through public Wi-Fi networks. For example, if an employee connects to an unsecured network in a café or at the airport, an attacker might be able to intercept their communications or access their sensitive data. SMEs therefore need to consider putting in place specific protection measures for mobile devices used by their employees.
5 solutions to lower cybersecurity risks in your SME
Cyberthreats are everywhere, which is why it is crucial to put in place specific solutions to protect your business. Here are five key measures to strengthen your cybersecurity.
Employee training and awareness
The majority of cyberattacks succeed because they exploit human errors. Indeed, cybercriminals often use techniques such as social engineering to manipulate employees into divulging sensitive information or performing unauthorised actions, such as opening a malicious file or clicking on a dubious link.
It is therefore essential to train your employees in good cybersecurity practices. This includes regular information and training sessions to make employees aware of specific risks such as phishing, weak passwords, or the use of personal devices to access business data. There are several ways in which you can raise levels of awareness among employees, including:
- Practical workshops to identify phishing attempts.
- Simulated attack exercises.
- Frequent reminders about security protocols, such as never sharing passwords and locking devices when not in use.
Fostering a culture of cybersecurity within your company will enable your employees to better understand the risks to which they are exposed, and to act in a proactive manner to avoid them.
Regular software and system updates
Obsolete software and computer systems are often easy targets for cybercriminals, as they contain unpatched vulnerabilities. When a software vendor releases a security update or patch it is often in response to the discovery of a new vulnerability that attackers could exploit.
A study by the Ponemon Institute revealed that almost 60% of data breaches involved systems that had not been properly updated. To minimise the risks, it’s essential to keep all your company’s software and systems up-to-date.
The ideal solution is to set up an automatic update management system so that any software or application is immediately patched once a security update becomes available. This applies not only to operating systems and management software, but also to all tools used by the company, including mobile applications and browser extensions.
Use of a robust security solution
An SME cannot afford to neglect the importance of a suitable security solution. While there are many free or inexpensive antivirus products on the market, these do not often provide sufficient protection against today’s advanced threats. Investing in a comprehensive cybersecurity solution is therefore essential. A robust security solution should include:
- Firewall: monitors incoming and outgoing traffic on the corporate network, blocking suspicious or unauthorised connections.
- Anti-virus and anti-malware: these tools detect and eliminate malware before it can cause any damage.
- Intrusion detection system (IDS): monitors intrusion attempts in real time and alerts administrators when a potential threat is detected.
- Data encryption: this is to ensure that even if data is intercepted, it cannot be read without the decryption key.
Following these measures make it possible to block a large proportion of threats before they have a chance to infect a company’s internal systems. A comprehensive security solution also protects against sophisticated attacks such as ransomware or attempted data theft.
Introduction of two-factor authentication (2FA)
Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a simple but extremely effective way of strengthening the security of online accounts. Rather than relying solely on a password, 2FA requires a second verification method, such as a code sent to the user’s phone or a security token.
One of the biggest benefits of 2FA is that it makes it much harder for cybercriminals to penetrate systems, even if an employee’s password has been compromised. This is particularly useful for protecting access to Cloud services, business e-mails and any sensitive applications used within the company.
SMEs can easily deploy 2FA using popular applications such as Google Authenticator or Duo Security since these work with the majority of online services and internal systems.
Regular monitoring and safety audits
Even if a company has robust security measures in place, it is essential to test them regularly to ensure they are effective. Cyber threats are constantly evolving and a solution that is effective today may not work tomorrow. That’s why regular security audits are essential.
These audits enable us to assess the current state of a company’s IT security, identify potential vulnerabilities and recommend corrective measures. In addition, by putting in place continuous network monitoring that uses intrusion detection systems or security event management software (SIEM), we can quickly detect any suspicious activity.
Calling in a specialist service provider for these audits can also guarantee in-depth analysis. It is often difficult for SMEs to have the necessary in-house technical skills to carry out in-depth penetration tests or analyse network activity logs. Specialist service providers can introduce valuable external expertise to identify and correct weaknesses before they are exploited.
How do you choose a quality IT security provider?
Faced with increasingly complex threats and technologies, many SMEs are turning to specialist service providers to manage their cybersecurity. However, not all service providers are equal: here are some criteria to consider when choosing a quality provider.
Expertise and certifications
A good cybersecurity provider must be able to prove its expertise through recognised certifications. Certifications such as ISO 27001 (information security management), CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) or CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) are good indicators of the level of competence of a service provider.
It is also important to ensure that the service provider has proven experience in managing the specific challenges faced by SMEs. The needs of an SME are often very different from those of a large multinational and it is essential that the service provider can adapt to the constraints of size, budget and human resources.
Our services
Each company’s cybersecurity needs vary according to its size and sector of activity. A good service provider must be able to offer scalable services, adapted to the company’s specific needs. Here are a few examples:
- Management of firewalls and intrusion detection systems.
- Anti-virus and anti-malware solutions.
- Incident management services, with rapid response capability in the event of an attack.
- Regular audits and advice to improve your company’s security posture.
Reactivity in the event of an incident
A good IT security provider must not only offer preventive solutions, but also be able to react quickly in the event of an incident. Response time is crucial to limiting the damage of a cyberattack. Make sure that the service provider offers 24/7 monitoring and technical assistance adapted to the criticality level of the incident.
Reputation and references
A service provider’s reputation is a good indicator of the quality of its services. Before committing yourself, ask for references and take a look at reviews left by previous customers. This will give you an idea of the results that have been obtained on their behalf and the quality of customer service that is provided.
Considering cybersecurity measures is no longer an option for SMEs, but an absolute necessity. With the number of cyberattacks increasing and threats growing in terms of sophistication, it’s crucial to implement preventive and corrective measures so that your data and systems are protected. From employee training to the adoption of robust security tools and the outsourcing of security management, every action will help to strengthen your company’s resilience. By taking proactive measures and investing in cybersecurity, you can ensure the long-term future of your business in an increasingly hostile digital environment.