*By Guilherme Araújo
Cybersecurity is currently one of the most important and urgent topics in the digital environment. With technological advancement, the need to invest in security has grown over time, as we have an increase in concern about the protection of data and sensitive information. When we talk about the business market, it is very common to think of large companies that deal with a high volume of data every day, but smaller companies are often at greater risk because they do not protect themselves correctly, leaving investments in cybersecurity on the back burner.
Small and Medium-sized Companies, SMEs, are an important driving force in the Brazilian economy. According to the Ministry of Economy, SMEs account for 99% of the almost 20 million companies we have in Brazil. Together, they are responsible for 27% of Brazilian GDP and account for 62% of formal jobs, according to Sebrae. They are facing the dilemma of digitalization, even more so after the pandemic, and are under enormous pressure to have more connectivity to further strengthen ties with their customers.
It is common for SMEs not to consider themselves potential targets of attacks, but the scenario shows a very different reality, with at least one in four companies victims of attempted digital invasions. Cybersecurity is essential for all sizes and segments of organizations, as they all use technology as the basis of their operations. They all collect and store sensitive data, such as customer information, personal and business records. Without adequate cyber protection measures, this information can be breached, resulting in identity theft, financial fraud and damage to business reputation.
As incredible as it may seem, what few SMEs still don't know is that the most modern protection technologies are also available to smaller companies, bringing security previously accessible to large companies to their universe. Therefore, not using protection solutions is a huge business mistake. Data breaches can lead to a loss of trust from customers and partners, in addition to exposing them to legal risks due to the obligation we all have under the LGPD (General Personal Data Protection Law). In other words, in addition to the image crisis, not complying with the law can result in significant fines and expose you to irreversible damage.
Protection solutions provide uninterrupted monitoring, 24 hours a day, something impossible to do manually. They allow access restrictions, configuration of authority levels according to employees' positions, as well as automatic blocking of dangerous emails and links to block threats before they become real risks. They monitor the performance of the network and computers by analyzing possible changes in the volume of access and are capable of creating protection barriers (firewalls) that make it difficult for hackers to invade.
As digital threats evolve, security resources need to become increasingly complex and sophisticated. One of the main points is the protection of sensitive data, as personal, financial and business information are frequent targets of cyber criminals, who, when invading systems, can cause incalculable losses. Therefore, digital security must include the protection of computer systems, networks and electronic devices against virtual threats, such as hackers, malware, phishing and cyber attacks in general.
To ensure digital security, it is essential to adopt preventive and protective measures that include the use of firewalls, antivirus and security programs on computers, devices and networks. Furthermore, it is necessary to keep systems up to date, as updates often fix flaws that can be used for intrusions. Employee awareness and education also plays a crucial role so that everyone knows the risks involved and everyone's responsibility in protecting the company. This includes using strong passwords, recognizing suspicious links, and being careful when sharing information with third parties. It should be mandatory for all types of companies to invest in monitoring measures, implement security policies and apply constant improvement actions.
The world is increasingly connected and cybersecurity is everyone's responsibility. Protecting privacy, data and infrastructure, including for small and medium-sized companies, is a low investment given the problems that can be generated in the event of possible invasions. Cybersecurity requires attention, consistency and monitoring and, without a doubt, technology is our best ally to guarantee a smooth and protected workday.
*Guilherme Araújo, Services Director at Blockbit
Notice: The opinion presented in this article is the responsibility of its author and not of ABES - Brazilian Association of Software Companies
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