? EDITOR ’ S QUESTION //
“
IT MAKES SENSE THAT A KEY AREA
SMES SHOULD
INVEST IN IS CYBERSECURITY TECHNOLOGY .
T he biggest existential threat faced by SMEs in 2023 isn ’ t the cost of living crisis or the economic outlook , it ’ s cybercrime . Fifty-four percent of small businesses experienced a cyberattack in 2022 and the outcomes – ranging from large financial losses and reputational damage to being forced to close shop altogether – can be severe .
With that in mind , it makes sense that a key area SMEs should invest in is cybersecurity technology . However , with so many options available , that can be a confusing proposition , but it doesn ’ t have to be .
There is an increasing number of end-toend protection tools on the market and , for SMEs , these represent great value and a way to consolidate their cybersecurity into one manageable package .
We ’ re in a period when many small businesses are looking to cut costs and cybersecurity is one of the first places they typically look . Obviously , this is fraught with risk , but end-to-end protection solutions give SMEs a way to consolidate and dispense with unneeded tools and expenditure , without sacrificing their security .
What does this look like ? A good end-to-end protection service will usually include a way to complete cybersecurity certifications and build a good foundation , detection of threats and vulnerabilities , tools for protection , staff training , breach response services and , in some cases , access to cyber insurance .
This might sound like a lot but , often , these consolidated solutions are most cost-effective than the alternative . What ’ s more , they give a small business everything they need for proper protection , without the costs , in both time and money , associated with using tens of different tools , hiring an in-house team or calling in the experts .
“
WE ’ RE IN
A PERIOD WHEN MANY SMALL BUSINESSES ARE LOOKING TO CUT COSTS AND CYBERSECURITY IS ONE OF THE FIRST PLACES THEY TYPICALLY LOOK .
JAMIE AKHTAR , CEO AND CO- FOUNDER OF CYBERSMART
22 intelligent
. tech
Intelligent SME . tech