Cyber ​​attacks in 2024: This is how SMEs protect themselves from hackers!

Cyber ​​attacks in 2024: This is how SMEs protect themselves from hackers!

The virtual space remains ruthless during the Christmas holidays, and cybercriminals know exactly that. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are particularly at risk during this time. According to Martin Heimhilcher, chairman of the information and consulting division of the Vienna Chamber of Commerce, it is no longer a question of whether a company will fall victim to a cyber attack, but when. The Christmas holidays and the New Year offer hackers in particular the opportunity to strike undetected as many offices are closed. “This quiet time of year could be a welcome moment for cybercriminals to launch their attacks,” warns Heimhilcher. KPMG found in a study that phishing attacks continue to be the biggest threat, accounting for 88 percent.

To protect yourself during the holidays, Heimhilcher recommends that companies trust their employees to be well prepared for phishing attacks. It often happens that employees miss a suspicious message from the flood of emails after the holidays. For smaller companies that may not have their own IT department, the Chamber of Commerce offers a cybersecurity hotline that is available around the clock and offers support in the event of cyber incidents. For companies without their own IT experts, the list of IT service providers specializing in cybersecurity that WK provides in its company A-Z can serve as a helpful resource.

News from the German IT landscape

Meanwhile, the IT services market in Germany is making headlines: The top 25 system houses in 2023 are showing dynamic movement through mergers and acquisitions. Medialine took over three companies in the first four months of the year, while Netgo acquired two software companies that specialize in tax consultants and auditors. Netgo's sales have recently increased to 370 million euros, far more than Medialine, which, however, finances all acquisitions on its own. Among the largest is Bechtle, Germany's leading system house, which achieved sales of over three billion euros last year and continues to grow.

Demand for IT services is increasing not only due to growth in the business landscape, but also as a result of the changes brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. The possibility of working from home helps companies to be less tied to fixed locations, which in turn makes it easier to acquire skilled workers. Further growth of companies is also expected in the DACH region, which is likely to further influence the development of the IT market in the coming years, according to the analysts at ChannelPartner.