Intelligent Tech Channels Issue 42 | Page 38

Top cybersecurity considerations for SMEs in 2021

Cisco recently published its 2021 SMB Security Outcomes Study , a derivative of its flagship cybersecurity report , 2021 Security Outcomes Study , which highlights what SMB leaders are doing to thrive in today ’ s ever-evolving threat landscape . The report examined how security leaders in SMBs organisations can achieve success in their cybersecurity programmes by looking at which specific practices help to enable their businesses , combat advanced threats and targeted attacks , and operate efficiently . Fady Younes , Cybersecurity Director , MEA , Cisco , discusses why historically , vendors , practitioners and the cybersecurity industry as a whole have assumed that bigger means better .

Networking solutions powerhouse Cisco has published its 2021 SMB Security Outcomes Study , a derivative of Cisco ’ s flagship cybersecurity report , 2021 Security Outcomes Study , highlighting what SMB leaders are doing to thrive in today ’ s ever-evolving threat landscape , as well as offering actionable insights on where they should focus their digitisation , security planning and cyber defence efforts in the year ahead .

The double-blind study is based on a survey of over 850 regional IT and security professionals from small ( 50 to 249 employees ) and midsize ( 250 to 499 employees ) organisations in 25 countries from the Europe , Middle East , Africa and Russia ( EMEAR ). The report examines how security leaders in SMBs organisations can achieve success in their cybersecurity programmes by looking at which specific practices help to enable their businesses , combat advanced threats and targeted attacks and operate efficiently .
Fady Younes , Cybersecurity Director , Middle East and Africa ( MEA ), Cisco said : “ Historically , vendors , practitioners and
Fady Younes , Cybersecurity Director , MEA , Cisco the cybersecurity industry as a whole have assumed that bigger means better . However , agility is what makes small and midsize businesses uniquely positioned to build successful approaches to security . Our findings reveal that SMBs place higher importance on having the right security strategy in place and that they take the time to understand how this factor can best align with the Digital Transformation and growth agenda of their business . Planning for resilience and modernisation of technology remain critical factors for today ’ s SMBs looking to advance their security fabric .”
The survey revealed that security teams in small and midsize businesses are doing a better job in enabling the mission of their organisations . With fewer resources , 44 % of SMEs say their security teams are keeping pace with the changing needs and growth of the business , compared with 42 % of large enterprises .
The study identified three areas where small organisations should focus on to achieve success in their cybersecurity
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