Cyber security companies need more SME engagement

Cyber security firms should take a more proactive role in improving their communication with SMEs if they want to achieve their goal of improved online safety, said the head of one cyber security company.

IASME Consortium chief executive Emma Philpott offered some vaulable advice on how cyber security companies should engage with SMEs at this year’s ISSE conference, held in Berlin.

She said that there needs to be a simple  approach without any terminology being used so SMEs feel that they are more involved in the conversation, and that the cost should be minimal.

She pointed out that SMEs are not forthcoming when it comes to cyber security simply because they do not hear about breaches regarding SMEs and they have other aspects of running their business that they prioritise.

She said:

“The approach has to be simple, there must be no cyber speak, SMEs should not be made to feel bad and the cost must always be as low as possible when engaging with SMEs.

“The levels of cyber security are incredibly low in SMEs, which typically need the help of an external team to implement. They want to be secure, but it has to be easy and affordable.”

Breaches that generate all of the headlines are those that involved blue-chip companies, but that doesn’t mean that SMEs aren’t affected by cyber crime. Small businesses need to be reminded to take more action, and making more information security jobs available would be a good place to start.