Based on Kaspersky’s IT Security Economics 2020 survey, more than one-third (37 percent) of small and medium businesses (SMBs) in Southeast Asia (SEA) admitted facing targeted attacks. This is four notches higher compared with the global average at 33 percent.
SMBs, companies with 50 to 999 employees, are among the many casualties of the pandemic. Aside from keeping their cash flow moving despite the multiple and recurring lockdown measures, this segment has also been a target of malicious criminals online.
Targeted attacks are some of the most dangerous risks to businesses’ systems. These are cyberattacks aimed at compromising a particular company or network. Typically, a targeted attack has several stages. This type of sophisticated threat is extremely difficult to detect because of its targeted nature.
“While many owners still think their humble businesses are far from cybercriminals’ radar, the insights from our survey disclosed a different picture. Most malicious actors are opportunists in nature.
Big enterprises are more likely to have cutting-edge security measures leaving SMBs easy targets or what we call “low hanging fruits. When successful, these attacks can be costly.
On average, a successful attack against an SMB can cost US$ 130,000, considering the current situation, is a huge amount,” Yeo Siang Tiong, General Manager for Southeast Asia at Kaspersky said.
Aside from this, nearly seven in 10 (66 percent) of the respondents disclosed their lack of skilled technical staff to detect and respond to complex incidents. Almost two thirds (64 percent) also acknowledged their inability to properly respond and clean up after a sophisticated attack and some 58 percent cited that they yet to have sufficient insight and intelligence on the threats specifically faced by their businesses.
“It is clear that there are two areas this segment needs urgent help with, visibility against complex threats to identify even the most sophisticated attacks, and expertise to conduct investigation and intelligent incident response.
To help SMBs in SEA, we have created an easy-to-use, fully automated endpoint detection and response which can deliver enterprise-grade protection for small and mid range businesses without burning a hole in their pockets,” Yeo highlighted.
Acknowledging the financial challenges being faced by SMBs in SEA, Kaspersky has launched an introductory discount offer on the new Kaspersky Endpoint Detection and Response Optimum solution for new and existing customers valid on 10-999 nodes across the region until December 2020.
- 1 year Base, Crossgrade: 30 percent Discount
- 3 year Base, Crossgrade: 50 percent Discount
- Add-On option for 1 & 3 year: 50 percent Discount
