Expert Calls Reasons Why MSMEs Are Vulnerable To Cyber Attacks

The reason MSMEs are vulnerable to cyber attacks (photo: Pixabay)

JAKARTA - In general, cybercriminals do not specifically target who they will attack. The entire industrial sector, be it large or small-scale industries.

But currently, MSMEs are one type of business that is experiencing massive growth and competition in Indonesia. The presence of the COVID-19 pandemic which requires everyone to stay at home and then force MSMEs to transform digitally.

This causes many challenges, one of which is the implementation of a strong cybersecurity system. According to a Palo Alto Networks State of Cybersecurity 2023 report, businesses on a smaller scale have a lack of confidence (81%) in facing cybersecurity challenges.

Not without reason, this is due to the limited cybersecurity budget and also the internal talent of the MSME business which is relatively weaker than large-scale businesses.

"Along with their increasing dependence on digital platforms, financial constraints force startups to rely on inadequate ancient cybersecurity solutions to deal with rapidly growing cyber threats," Adi Rusli, Country Manager of Indonesia, Palo Alto Networks told VOI some time ago.

Adi also mentioned several other reasons why MSMEs in Indonesia may not be confident in their cybersecurity strategy, such as:

Limited Resources: This can result in inadequate security infrastructure, lack of trained personnel, and outdated software systems, making them more vulnerable to cyber threats.

Lack of Awareness: Many MSMEs may underestimate the importance of cybersecurity. This lack of awareness can lead to complacency and failure to prioritize cybersecurity measures.

Cyber Security Complexity: MSMEs may find it difficult to navigate complex cybersecurity landscapes, including understanding various threats, choosing the right security solutions, and following technological developments.

Fee Considerations: Investing in cybersecurity measures can be expensive for MSMEs. This cost consideration can lead to a reluctance to allocate resources for cybersecurity.

Lack of Compliance with Regulations: Lack of awareness and non-compliance with cybersecurity regulations can expose them to legal and financial risks, which further undermine their confidence in cybersecurity strategies.