SME cybersecurity: 10 essential actions

SMEs are the target of 43% of cyberattacks. Here are the 10 essential measures to implement without delay. Why SMEs are targeted: 43% of cyberattacks target SMEs because they often have insufficient protection while handling sensitive data. The average cost of a cyberattack for an SME exceeds €50,000, and 60% of affected SMEs don't recover within 6 months. The first 5 urgent actions: 1) Enable multi-factor authentication on all critical accounts. 2) Set up automated and regularly tested backups. 3) Update all software and operating systems. 4) Train staff on phishing and social engineering. 5) Segment your network to isolate critical systems. The 5 complementary actions: 6) Encrypt sensitive data at rest and in transit. 7) Implement a strong password policy with a manager. 8) Monitor access and abnormal connections. 9) Write an incident response plan. 10) Have your security audited by a third party at least once a year. The role of sovereign hosting: Hosting your data with a sovereign provider (France/EU) reduces legal risks and facilitates GDPR compliance. Certified hosts offer superior security guarantees. Turn the checklist into an operating plan: Start by listing the business systems, data types and people responsible for each control. Give every critical account a named owner, document how backups are restored, and decide who receives an alert when a control fails. Record exceptions with an expiry or review date instead of treating them as permanent. A short incident exercise can reveal missing contact details, unclear decisions and systems nobody knows how to recover. Review the plan after a major tool, supplier or team change so that the written process still matches daily operations.