IT Security is an essential component of economic growth, says Kaspersky
Over 90 per cent of the companies around the world have reported attacks on their systems over the past twelve months. In many countries, attacks on major corporations, in particular, are hitting the headlines. But even small companies and online retailers are popular targets for cybercriminals. In such cases, these attacks centre primarily on the theft of intellectual property, or blackmail, with companies being forced to pay up or go out of business. A secure IT structure is, therefore, vital for protecting both your valuable data and business.
According to a survey carried out by market research company B2B International as part of its “Global Corporate IT Security Risks: 2013” study on behalf of the security provider Kaspersky Lab, small- and medium-sized companies found themselves with average damages of 70,000 Euros as a result of targeted attacks. This included 55,000 Euros in direct costs to plug data leaks, legal costs, lost profits and costs, resulting from interruptions or restrictions to business. A further 15,000 Euros are needed for preventive measures, like investments in hardware and software, training, and other methods designed to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
In major corporations, direct damages incurred due to cyberattacks cost, on an average, a good 1.6 million Euros. A further 170,000 Euros are spent on follow-up activities. The damages incurred vary not just due to the size of the organization, but also due to the industry and business model.
According to Kaspersky Lab, targeted attacks do the most damage. They are, however, by no means the most common threat to companies. According to the study, just 5 per cent of cyberattacks reported in Germany are targeted ones, while 25 per cent involve hacking corporate networks. This type of attack can also have tremendous financial consequences: major corporations report an average of 1.3 million Euros in financial damages. For SMEs, the figure is an average of 55,000 Euros.
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