How to Improve Cybersecurity in Your SME – and Why Cloud Computing Can Help You

Table of Contents

• The Importance of SMEs for the Swiss Economy

• SMEs and Digitalization

• Cybersecurity

• Risk Factors

• Tips for Stronger Cybersecurity

• The Role of Cloud Computing in SME Cybersecurity

• Conclusion

The Importance of SMEs for the Swiss Economy

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play a vital role in the Swiss economy. According to data from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), around 99% of all companies in Switzerland are SMEs, accounting for two-thirds of all jobs in the country. A business is classified as an SME if it employs fewer than 250 people. SMEs make a significant contribution to economic growth and national prosperity and strengthen Switzerland as a business hub.

SMEs and Digitalization

Many SME services today are provided digitally or with the help of digital technologies and platforms. Digital transformation is pushing SMEs to rethink their strategies, optimize processes, and adopt new technologies. This increases dependence on the internet and therefore raises IT security risks.

The CrowdStrike outage recently showed how severe these consequences can be: it paralyzed airports, hospitals, banks, supermarkets, and offices worldwide. The estimated damage ran into billions and opened the door for cybercriminals to exploit the incident through scams, phishing, and fake websites.

It is therefore hardly surprising that new figures from the Federal Office for Cybersecurity (BACS) show that in the second half of 2023, twice as many cyber incidents were reported compared to the same period the year before – more than 30,000 cases. Overall, Swiss companies faced a 61% increase in cyberattacks in 2023.

Cyber threats penetrate all known dimensions of our society, economy, and daily life. A cyberattack can result in blocked computers, lost data, or stolen information ending up on the darknet. A 2024 ITU study shows that Switzerland still has significant room for improvement in cybersecurity: it ranked only 42nd internationally. This decline is likely linked to the growing complexity of the digital world and rapid changes such as the spread of AI technologies. The US, the UK, and Saudi Arabia are at the top of this ranking.

Cybersecurity

SMEs are particularly vulnerable to cyberattacks. They often lack the resources that larger companies can dedicate to security measures. Yet, the data SMEs store is extremely valuable and highly attractive to cybercriminals.

The most common threats include phishing, ransomware, data breaches, and insider threats. More than one-third of Swiss SMEs have already been victims of cyberattacks. A survey by Mobiliar revealed that many employees underestimate the risk of a cyberattack – 60% of respondents fell into the high-risk behavior group. According to BACS, one in three SMEs has already been targeted by a cyberattack.

Prevention is the best protection. SMEs that implement cybersecurity measures consistently can greatly reduce the risk of a successful attack. However, many SMEs feel well protected and underestimate the danger and consequences. It is high time to raise awareness and take simple measures to make your business more cybersecure.

Risk Factors

Remote work (Home Office): A major risk arises when employees use personal devices for business purposes, mixing private and professional use. This trend has grown in recent years with the rise of home office arrangements and creates security issues that cannot be contained within the company network.

Phishing and other threats in daily work: Almost everyone has received them – an email from a supposed “prince” offering money or a fake delivery service message demanding customs fees. These fraudulent emails attempt to steal sensitive information or infect systems.

Weak password hygiene: A frequently ignored risk factor. Employees often use weak or repeated passwords, making it easier for hackers to gain access. Cute as your pet may be, its name is not a safe password.

The human factor: Human behavior is one of the biggest risks. Mistakes, carelessness, lack of awareness, and the desire for convenience often lead to dangerous practices – such as sharing passwords. In stressful work situations, rash decisions can quickly turn into security breaches.

Tips for Stronger Cybersecurity

Treat IT security as a competitive advantage. Key recommendations include:

• Password management: Define strict rules (at least 12 characters with upper/lowercase, numbers, and symbols). Use a password manager (e.g., 1Password) and enable two-factor authentication wherever possible.

• Data security: Store sensitive data encrypted in the cloud, ideally on a Swiss server. Create regular backups and restrict access rights.

• Secure communication: Never exchange unencrypted business data, login details, or sensitive information via messenger apps.

• Firewalls: Protect your network against unwanted traffic and malware with a firewall.

• Software updates: Always keep operating systems and applications up to date with the latest security patches.

• Antivirus software: Install high-quality antivirus programs to protect against malware and identity theft.

• Employee training: Prevention is the best protection. Regular training raises awareness and helps employees adopt secure practices.

The Role of Cloud Computing in SME Cybersecurity

Cloud technologies have proven to be a valuable tool for SMEs to strengthen their cybersecurity. The cloud offers a cost-effective and reliable way to store data securely and collaborate with colleagues.

Key benefits include:

• Resource optimization: SMEs can leverage the security infrastructure of large providers without major investments in their own hardware.

• Automated updates: Providers like Rise deliver constant automatic updates to counter new threats.

• Data backup & recovery: Rise also offers advanced backup and recovery services. In case of ransomware or data loss, SMEs can quickly restore data and minimize downtime.

Conclusion

SMEs are the backbone of the Swiss economy. Digitalization boosts their competitiveness but also increases exposure to cyber risks such as phishing, ransomware, and data breaches. Incidents like the CrowdStrike outage demonstrate how severe the consequences can be.

Many SMEs underestimate the threat, particularly the human factor – weak passwords, insecure remote work, and careless behavior. To protect themselves, SMEs should invest in robust measures: strict password management, data encryption, firewalls, antivirus programs, and regular employee training.

Cloud computing further supports SMEs by offering access to advanced, cost-effective security tools and automatic updates. Rise is here to advise and support SMEs on their path to greater security.

Ultimately, cybersecurity is not just protection – it is a competitive advantage. A proactive strategy builds trust, reduces risk, and ensures long-term resilience and success.