Kaspersky: Nearly 40% of Moroccan SMEs believe they are exposed to cyber risks

 

In an increasingly digital world, the threat of cyberattacks looms large, affecting businesses of all sizes across the globe. In Morocco, a recent study has shed light on the growing concerns among Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) regarding their vulnerability to cyber risks. Results reveal that almost 40% of Moroccan SMEs believe they are exposed to cyber risks, raising significant alarms about the state of cybersecurity readiness within this vital sector of the economy.

Findings of the study

The study, carried out by Kaspersky, the global leader in cybersecurity in partnership with Arlington Research, was conducted from July 7th to the 24th, 2023, focused on 300 Moroccan SMEs with employee counts ranging from 10 to 250, and operating across various industries. The aim was to assess the level of awareness and preparedness of these businesses in the face of cyber threats.

According to Pascal Naudin, B2B Sales Director of Kaspersky in Morocco and Tunisia, the surveyed companies expressed concerns about their exposure to cyber risks, with 42% fearing the loss of clients, 40% dreading financial losses, and 44% apprehensive about sensitive data compromise. However, there is a significant gap between the security perception of SMEs and the reality of their cybersecurity preparedness; a significant number of respondents are convinced that simply installing a firewall protects them from all threats.

Threats and solutions

Similar to numerous countries, the challenge arises in effectively using the information and data generated by technological solutions, which is frequently hindered by constraints such as a lack of time or expertise, as emphasized by Naudin.

In order to protect their information technology systems, it is crucial for enterprises to anticipate cyber risks and implement suitable measures in response to the rise of cybercrime. These measures should include:

Providing basic training: This involves conducting training sessions or workshops to equip employees with foundational knowledge about cybersecurity. They should learn how to identify and respond to potential threats, such as phishing emails or suspicious website links. Basic training also covers password management, software updates, and the importance of keeping personal and work-related information secure.

Choosing comprehensive protection solutions: This refers to cybersecurity software or tools that provide robust defense against a wide range of threats. These techniques can identify and block phishing emails, malicious attachments, or deceptive websites, thereby reducing the risk of security breaches.

Regularly storing critical data: This involves creating duplicate copies of critical information on a scheduled basis, both on-site and off-site, to ensure data recovery in case of unexpected events such as hardware failures, data corruption, or cyberattacks.

Implementing an access policy: Defining and enforcing rules for who can access specific company resources. This is especially important for email accounts, shared folders, and online documents. An access policy determines who has permissions to view, edit, or share certain information, reducing the risk of unauthorized access.

In today’s digital age, cybersecurity is not a luxury but a necessity. Moroccan SMEs must take the threats seriously and collaborate with cybersecurity experts to fortify their defenses against cyberattacks.