A Cheops survey has found that one in three medium-sized businesses still think they are immune to cyberattacks. Such complacency is worrying, especially with so many employees now working remotely.
Recent months have seen a number of high-profile cyberattacks, and for every major attack there are hundreds of smaller ones that attract no publicity but have a devastating impact on the businesses affected.
Yet there are still companies that think it won't happen to them, so Cheops decided to survey how medium-sized enterprises are using, and plan to use, IT and technology. Asked if they were in a sector vulnerable to cyberattacks, one in three medium-sized businesses responded that the question was 'not applicable' to them – a strikingly high figure. Nowadays, virtually every company relies on digital technology, which means that any business – large or small, in any sector – is a potential target for cybercriminals. Nobody is immune.
The changing face of cybersecurity
The good news is that most companies are working hard on their cybersecurity. When asked to rate their own approach, the surveyed businesses gave themselves an average score of 6.6. However, one in five admitted that their cybersecurity was not up to scratch, which means there is still plenty of room for improvement.
During the current surge in teleworking, employees are using a range of interconnected devices. This allows them to work more efficiently, but it also makes the company vulnerable as a cyberattack on one device can immediately impact the entire network. What's more, the days when cybercriminals were hobbyists operating out of a dark attic are long gone. Today's cybercrooks are highly professional and increasingly inventive. As cyberattacks grow in complexity, medium-sized businesses have to raise their game when it comes to cybersecurity.
Cybersecurity is changing. Where it once focused on protecting data and securing devices and networks, it is now about protecting the business as a whole and securing identities. Ignoring the threat is no longer an option. Companies have to go all in on prevention and, if attackers do breach their defences, they must take quick and effective action to minimise the damage. Also, whereas businesses used to deal with cybersecurity in-house, they are increasingly turning to specialist partners with the scale and expertise to manage the complex challenges involved.
Sledgehammers and nuts
For Cheops, these changes mean that cybersecurity is not a stand-alone issue, but is an integral part of all our IT solutions and the services we provide to medium-sized companies.
At Cheops, 'fit for purpose' is our guiding principle. Cybersecurity is critical to every medium-sized business, but there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Does the company operate internationally? Does it have a lot of employees in the field? Does it process
sensitive data? Certain security aspects will be more important than others depending on each company's specific characteristics. Routine security measures may be sufficient in one area, while additional measures are needed in others. After all, there's no point using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.
Galvanising the IT sector
Cybersecurity demands sustained effort and investment, but our research suggests that not all businesses have grasped just how important this is. Together with the IT sector as a whole, we want to take up the challenge of ensuring that cybersecurity is high on every company's agenda. We help medium-sized enterprises to develop and implement action plans that will safeguard the continuity of their business in the face of growing risks, enabling them to stay one step ahead of the cybercriminals and continue to grow. This is extremely important, especially with so many people now working remotely. Cheops can support these companies with the right knowledge and the best technology, allowing them to fully leverage their IT potential in order to realise their ambitions.
Want to find out how medium-sized companies are using IT and technology today, and how they are preparing for future challenges? Download the full study here.
Cybersecurity Essentials for Business Managers
Cybersecurity is a very complex subject. In this eBook you'll discover the latest IT security statistics, the most common threats and solutions.