Cyber security critical to SMBs, finds survey

Cyber security is critical to small businesses and exposure of customer data and loss of customer trust are issues of worry for majority of small business owners in the MENA region, according to a recent global website security survey.

With a sample size of 1,169 participants, including the MENA region, the survey conducted by GoDaddy showed that over 50 per cent of MENA respondents reported having websites that process personal information require higher standards for website security measures. Survey respondents believe that SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificates were the most important feature for website security.

Selina Bieber, General Manager, MENA, GoDaddy, said: “We are pleased to raise awareness on the issue of cyber security protection with the results of our Website Security Survey 2021. It is important for MENA entrepreneurs and small business owners to consider the security of their websites using advanced cyber security technology protections.”

The survey reported that across the region, the majority of respondents’ websites’ process personal information, requires higher standards for website security measures. Eight-four per cent of MENA respondents felt that the issue of cyber security is important to small businesses, and 73 per cent agreed that small businesses are at risk of cyberattacks.

Malware (74 per cent) and phishing (68 per cent) were perceived as the biggest potential security threats to SMBs.

The survey has also found out majority of MENA respondents have experienced at least one breach of security.

GoDaddy conducts region-wide surveys to collect data to help best serve its customers. Late last year, GoDaddy launched its Entrepreneur Survey 2020 assessing the impact of Covid-19 on entrepreneurs and small businesses and how it led them to shift online and to e-commerce.