SMEs now find themselves on the front line when it comes to cyberthreats. Considered easy targets by cybercriminals, they suffer increasingly sophisticated attacks with potentially devastating consequences. What are the cyber issues for these companies? How can they protect themselves?
Multiple threats with serious consequences
According to an analysis of 385,000 cyberattacks in France in 2022, each incident costs the affected companies an average of 59,000 euros[1]. SMEs are penalized twice over: they suffer immediate financial damage while facing a loss of trust from their customers and partners.
This reality affects many medium-sized structures that thought they were “too small” to interest hackers. According to BPI France, VSEs, SMEs and mid-caps represent 37% of the victims of cyberattacks, and strategic companies 12%[2]. The consequences go far beyond the simple direct financial cost, with business interruptions that can last for several weeks and a lasting impact on reputation.
Cyberattacks increased by 15% in 2024 according to ANSSI.[3] The main threats include phishing, ransomware, denial of service attacks, exploitation of unpatched vulnerabilities and threats related to removable media.
The often underestimated danger of USB drives
Among all the threats, that of removable media is, paradoxically, one of the most neglected. However, 37% of cyber threats[4] have been specifically developed to spread via removable storage media.
A simple USB key can compromise a company’s entire information system in a matter of seconds. Production can be completely paralyzed after an employee connects an infected USB key to a control station, and can lead to considerable financial losses.
This threat is all the more worrying in a context where employees frequently use their own devices to transfer work files.
SMEs and cybersecurity: how to protect yourself?
Faced with these multiple threats, SMEs must implement a comprehensive defense strategy tailored to their business. What are the right steps to take?
Implementation of a comprehensive cyber defense
Effective protection relies above all on a comprehensive approach. This defense must include:
- next-generation firewalls capable of filtering network traffic and detecting abnormal behavior.
- advanced antivirus solutions deployed on all workstations and servers, with automatic updates.
- regular backup of critical data, with external and disconnected storage
- implementation of strong authentication for all sensitive access, ideally with two-factor validation, to significantly limit the risk of intrusion.
At the same time, a business continuity plan must be formalized to guarantee the resumption of operations in the event of an incident.
Training and awareness-raising for employees
The human factor is often the weak link in the security chain. The human factor remains the weak link in cybersecurity (OVHcloud). Training and raising awareness among employees is therefore an absolute necessity.
This awareness-raising must be regular and tailored to the different user profiles. It can take the form of training sessions, phishing attack simulations, or internal communications on good practices. The objective is to create a true culture of security where each employee becomes an actor in the protection of the company.
USB decontamination stations: effective specific protection
To specifically counter the risks associated with removable media, USB decontamination terminals (or white stations), such as those offered by TYREX, are a particularly suitable technological solution. These devices are installed at strategic points in the company and analyze the content of any removable media before it is connected to the network.
The principle is simple but effective: no external media can access the system without first being scanned. In the event of a threat being detected, the infected files are automatically quarantined. The decontamination terminals have automatic updating systems for their antiviral databases, ensuring continuous protection against new threats.
Beyond their protective function, the white Tyrex stations also have an educational dimension. On the screen, they make users aware of IT security issues and help develop a culture of security in the company. The company can choose the messages it wishes to highlight according to the risks it faces.
