Small and Medium Enterprises are increasingly becoming the new targets for cyber criminals due to their lack of a cyber security strategy, according to experts at Dimension Data.
A recent Central bank of Kenya report showed that SMEs lost Sh106 million in 17 months with attackers targeting weak controls of the systems given minimal verification of members’ identity as many worked remotely as part of the Covid-19 preventive measure.
“The impact of these breaches is detrimental to the operations of the business, a disruption that small businesses cannot afford in the current climate,” said Bright Mawudor, Dimension Data's Head of Managed Security Services for East and West region.
Saccos also experienced similar challenge that is detrimental to their businesses.
Dimensions data has launched a cybersecurity solution targeting SMEs. It will provide affordable security services aimed at helping SMEs establish a cybersecurity strategy.
This will include security design services, incident response with management, governance risk and compliance and cybersecurity assurance services.
Mawudor said that they will also carry out real life demonstrations and proof of concepts for endpoint security, cloud posture and threat intelligence solutions for early detection to cyberattacks.
Majority of the SMEs have adopted cloud solutions to assist in the day-to-day running of their businesses since they have digitally transformed.
They were challenged to adopt a unified security architecture that ensures it is delivered as a platform with secure integrated security controls and centralised management.
“It is critical that owners of these businesses educate themselves on the risk of non-compliance when it comes to security protocols,” Henry Bett Senior Cyber Security Solution Architect, Dimensions Data said.
According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), SMEs contribute at least 70 per cent of new jobs. It also accounts for 33 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
