Study shows small businesses worldwide face enormous cyber security risk

Study shows small businesses worldwide face enormous cyber security risk

According to a report by www.it-daily.net,

The results of a global study by McAfee in collaboration with Dell Technologies show that cybersecurity is a top concern among small businesses worldwide. 73% of small businesses surveyed say they consider cybersecurity to be one of their biggest risks or vulnerabilities. Cyber ​​attacks are on the rise: 44% of small businesses have been the victim of a cyber attack, with 17% affected more than once. The threat of cyber crime has become significantly greater.

A single cyber incident can have a devastating impact on your bottom line. 61% of affected small business owners lost more than $10,000 as a result of the attack. In addition, the attack resulted in physical or psychological stress for employees and more than a week of lost working time in over half of the companies.

The financial, trust and operational consequences of cyber attacks are severe as customer data, passwords or other important files are lost. Additionally, many attacks come from phishing links or malicious attachments.

Small business owners are at a disadvantage when it comes to artificial intelligence (AI)-powered malicious messages, as AI helps scammers increase the size, speed, and sophistication of phishing scams. To counteract this trend, small businesses should be protected proactively and in real time using AI.

Despite the identified risks, only about half of the small businesses surveyed are confident that they have the ability to prevent cyber attacks. Many companies manage cybersecurity without external support and spend a significant amount of time on general IT issues.

The study highlights the increasing cybersecurity risks facing small businesses and the need for resources and products to help them stay informed and protected. It is recommended that small business owners proactively embrace cutting-edge technologies such as AI-driven solutions to protect their data and customers.

The study is based on responses from 700 entrepreneurs and IT experts from six countries who work for companies with fewer than 250 employees. It's clear that cybersecurity is an increasing challenge for small businesses, and it's critical that they take the necessary steps to protect themselves.