Picture the scene: The office of a small but successful law firm is broken into. During the ensuing break-in, hundreds of documents relating to both employees’ and clients’ personal data are stolen and presumed available for sale online, including compromising personal information and financial data.
Following an investigation, it becomes apparent that the law firm did not employ basic security controls when attempting to protect their physical premises. No security system, no CCTV, and no “locked doors”, per se. As a result, the clients who once trusted this firm with their data begin a mass exodus, and the law firm find themselves in very rocky waters.
This analogy serves to illustrate a crucial point about the cybersecurity posture for SMEs (Small Medium Enterprises). Statistics show that small and medium-sized businesses are not exempt of being targeted by cyber criminals and can be equally, if not more, affected by an attack that could cause significant operational or reputational damage.
Small businesses are subjected to all types of cyberattacks, which include but are not limited to malware, ransomware, and data breaches. All these result in privacy, security, and operational risks. These attacks may also end in stolen funds, compromised confidential business information, and unauthorised access and disruption of day-to-day operations.
Cybercrime is growing alongside the increased use of the internet and business networks. Today, more than ever, organisations of all sizes rely on their networks, data, and internet connectivity to conduct business. Unfortunately, as a result, sensitive data, intellectual property, and personal information of small and medium-sized firms are targeted by an ever-increasing and sophisticated community of cybercriminals.
Fact is, small organisations, are just as much of a target in today’s cybersecurity landscape as the multinational enterprises who make the headlines. ..
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