Alarm level red for SMEs: only 22% well prepared for cyber attacks!

Alarm level red for SMEs: only 22% well prepared for cyber attacks!

Weltweit - How good are small and medium -sized companies (SMEs) prepared for cyber attacks? A look at the latest findings shows that there is something. Just 22 percent of SMEs are well prepared for cyber attacks, while 71 percent of those surveyed from a current study believe that they are prepared for a security incident. But trust in your own security situation fell by nine percent in 2025, which is worrying. These results come from a survey in which 445 specialists and managers from IT, security and management management came worldwide, such as Security Insider.

Unfortunately, 52 percent of SMEs rely on outdated methods, such as manual tools to manage access rights, i.e. Excel lists and the like. The main reason for this unclear cell phone choice lies in the reservations of automated systems. Another alarming result of the study is that 63 percent of SMEs have increased their budgets for cyber security, but the funds provided remain behind what would actually be necessary to counteract the growing risks.

The cyber threat for SMEs

The forecasts for 2025 are not very rosy: an increase in cyber threats is expected, especially for SMEs. Cybercrime is no longer a problem for large companies, but also affects the small and medium -sized. The most common threats include ransomware, phishing, social engineering and attacks on outdated IT systems, according to SMU-Digitalization.Agency.

Many SMEs do not have the necessary resources or the know-how to protect themselves sufficiently. Often outdated servers come into play here that have security gaps and are poorly serviced. In addition, insufficient training of employees and irregular backups increase the risk of a successful cyber attack. Professional cloud solutions could help: they not only offer security advantages, but also make economic sense. Cloud providers invest in security infrastructures and enable companies to concentrate on their core business.

ransomware and other dangers

For SMEs, cyber attacks often represent an existential threat. Ransomware in particular is one of the greatest dangers; It encrypted data and demands ransom. The Christmas present for cybercriminals is that there is no guarantee to get the data back after payment. The consequences of such attacks are far-reaching and can lead to image damage, economic losses and even punishments if you think of the specifications of the GDPR, describe [microcat.de] (https://www.microcat.de/cybersecurity/kleine-Mittland--unter-kührer--cyberp.

The most common types of attack on SMEs are diverse. From ransomware and phishing to business email compromise (BEC) to malware and supply chain attacks-the bandwidth is wide. A security incident can otherwise quickly become survival for small companies. In addition, it is increasingly difficult to meet the legal requirements. Fast technological changes and lack of standardization in the IT landscape contribute to the dilemma.

strategies for improving cyber security

The question is: What can SMEs do to improve their cyber security? First of all, security guidelines and access rights should be clearly defined. Regular risk analyzes and effective weakness management are also of great importance. In addition, companies should document emergency and re-starting plans in order to be well equipped in an emergency.

technological solutions play a central role. The use of several protective levels in IT security architecture, the integration of security solutions such as firewalls and antivirus software as well as the use of AI for anomaly recognition are important. It is also crucial that the employees are trained-regular training and awareness programs should be on the agenda.

Finally, it remains to be said: Cybersecurity must be a continuous process, not just a unique project. In addition, SMEs should start with an inventory of its IT systems and develop an extensive IT security concept. Perhaps this is the key that opens the doors to a safer future.