Cybersecurity for SMEs: Risks and How to Avoid Them

Cybersecurity refers to the set of measures, techniques, and best practices aimed at protecting systems, networks, and data from unauthorized access, attacks, or loss. Its main goal is to ensure that digital information remains confidential, intact, and available. For this reason, investing in cybersecurity has become a strategic decision for businesses of all sizes, which must adopt a preventive culture against digital risks.

Although it’s a priority topic for businesses today, the concept of cybersecurity was introduced in the 1970s, when systems began connecting through networks like ARPANET. By the 1980s, the emergence of computer viruses and personal computers led to the development of protection tools such as antivirus software.

In a business context, cybersecurity not only involves protecting technological infrastructure but also securing confidential data belonging to customers, suppliers, and employees. A security breach can result in financial losses, legal penalties, and reputational damage.

The Importance of Cybersecurity: Challenges, Needs and Solutions

In an increasingly interconnected and digital world, cybersecurity has become a strategic priority for businesses of all sizes. However, it’s often mistakenly viewed as a concern only for large corporations. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are increasingly being targeted by cyberattacks, and many lack the resources or preparation needed to handle such threats. This exposes them to risks that can jeopardize their business continuity, data integrity, and customer trust.

Why Cybersecurity Important?

Intellectual property is often a company’s main competitive advantage. Its loss or leak can give competitors the chance to replicate solutions, reduce market differentiation, and weaken the organization’s competitive position. For an SME, a cyberattack can mean far more than just a temporary disruption. It can lead to the loss of critical information and significant financial damage.

A security breach can cause reputational loss among current and future clients. Many countries have regulations that require companies to adequately protect their customers’ data (e.g., the GDPR in Europe or the LOPDGDD in Spain). Non-compliance can result in heavy fines.

Main Cybersecurity Threats 

The main threats companies face are diverse and constantly evolving alongside technology. However, some of the most common ones include:

Phishing: Fraudulent emails that attempt to trick employees into revealing credentials or downloading malicious files. These are often hard to detect without proper training. Cybercriminals use these attacks to steal information or money. For instance, Facebook and Google fell victim to a phishing scam by the fake company Quanta Computer, which issued fake invoices and stole over €100 million.

Ransomware:  This attack encrypts a company’s data and demands a ransom for its release. Many companies lack proper backups and are forced to pay or lose their data. One example is the ransomware attack on Spain’s SEPE (State Public Employment Service), where the motive was financial.

Malware: Malicious software that can enter systems through downloads, emails, or connected devices. It can steal data, spy on activities, or interfere with operations.

Unauthorized Access: Often due to poor access controls or weak passwords, attackers can infiltrate internal systems.

Social Engineering: Attackers exploit employees’ lack of knowledge to manipulate them into granting system or data access.

Specific Cybersecurity Needs for SMEs: Although SMEs face the same threats as large corporations, certain characteristics make their cybersecurity needs unique:

Limited Budget: SMEs can’t always afford expensive tools or specialized personnel. They need affordable, scalable solutions.

Lack of Specialized Staff: Often, IT management falls on a single person or external provider, limiting incident response capacity.

Lack of Risk Awareness: Many business owners and employees aren’t fully aware of digital dangers. This lack of cybersecurity culture is a weakness attackers exploit.Technology Dependence: Even non-tech companies use IT systems to streamline internal processes. Not having the knowledge or systems to eliminate vulnerabilities is a risk in itself.

Specific Cybersecurity Needs for SMEs:

Although SMEs face the same threats as large corporations, certain characteristics make their cybersecurity needs unique:

Limited Budget: SMEs can’t always afford expensive tools or specialized personnel. They need affordable, scalable solutions.

Lack of Specialized Staff: Often, IT management falls on a single person or external provider, limiting incident response capacity.

Lack of Risk Awareness: Many business owners and employees aren’t fully aware of digital dangers. This lack of cybersecurity culture is a weakness attackers exploit.Technology Dependence: Even non-tech companies use IT systems to streamline internal processes. Not having the knowledge or systems to eliminate vulnerabilities is a risk in itself.

Practical Solutions to Improve Cybersecurity in SMEs

Despite the challenges, there’s good news: SMEs can implement effective measures without major investments. Here are some key strategies:

Awareness and Training: Cybersecurity awareness has led to the use of tools that mitigate risks, making the human factor one of the most common failure points. Investing in basic cybersecurity training for employees significantly reduces the risk of phishing or social engineering attacks.

Recommended Actions: a) regular training sessions;  b) Simulate phishing attacks to train staff; c) promote a culture of digital security.

Comprehensive Authorization Systems: Weak passwords are one of the leading causes of security breaches. Establishing strong password policies and using two-factor authentication reduces the risk of unauthorized access. A complete authorization system relies on three key pillars:

• Something you know: Information only the user knows, like a password or PIN.
• Something you are: Unique biometric traits, such as a fingerprint or face.
• Something you have: A physical item the user possesses, like an access card or phone.
  

Combining two or more pillars greatly reduces unauthorized access. Useful Tools: a) Password Managers: These increase security by requiring users to remember only one master password. They generate and store complex passwords made up of symbols and alphanumeric characters, protecting registered accounts and credentials. b) Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Requires two or more verification steps (e.g., a password and mobile code) to access an account.

Software and System Updates:  Keeping operating systems, applications, and plugins up to date is essential. Many vulnerabilities are exploited in outdated software. Tip: Automate updates whenever possible.

Regular Backups: Having updated backups stored in secure locations (ideally in the cloud and on disconnected physical devices) can save the company in the event of ransomware or data loss.

Use of Antivirus and Firewall: A good updated antivirus and firewall policy help protect against malicious software and unauthorized access. There are affordable solutions for small businesses, including free or low-cost options (e.g., Avast Business, Bitdefender, Sophos).

Having an Incident Response Plan: Knowing how to act during an attack is as crucial as trying to prevent it. A clear protocol reduces response time and damage.It should include: a) who to notify internally. b) What to do with affected systems. c) When and how to communicate the incident to customers or authorities.

In an increasingly digital environment, cybersecurity has become essential for the survival and growth of any company—especially SMEs, which tend to be more vulnerable due to limited technical and financial capacity.

Threats like phishing, ransomware, or malware are constantly evolving, and no organization is immune. Intellectual property, customer data, and daily operations are strategic assets that must be protected against unauthorized access, loss, or leaks.

Although each company faces unique challenges, they can significantly strengthen their digital security by adopting simple yet effective measures: staff training, strong authentication systems, regular backups, software updates, and clear incident response protocols.

Cybersecurity should not be seen as an expense but as a strategic investment in the company’s stability, reputation, and trust. Although awareness has improved, companies still need to prioritize the implementation of security measures to ensure the availability and accessibility of their information.

Referencias:

ARPANET. (n.d.). Wikipedia. Retrieved May 31, 2025, from https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/ARPANET

Ley Orgánica 3/2018, de 5 de diciembre, de Protección de Datos Personales y garantía de los derechos digitales. (2024, December 5). BOE.es. Retrieved May 31, 2025, from https://www.boe.es/buscar/pdf/2018/BOE-A-2018-16673-consolidado.pdf

REGLAMENTO (UE) 2016/ 679 DEL PARLAMENTO EUROPEO Y DEL CONSEJO – de 27 de abril de 2016 – relativo a la prot. (n.d.). BOE.es. Retrieved May 31, 2025, from https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/ES/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32016R0679