Cybercriminals do not only target large corporations. In fact, small and medium-sized businesses are increasingly targeted precisely because they tend to have weaker defences and less dedicated IT staff. In Belgium alone, thousands of SMEs suffer cyberattacks every year — from phishing emails to full ransomware lockouts.
The Most Common Threats
Understanding what you're up against is the first step to protecting yourself.
- Phishing emails — Fake emails that trick employees into revealing passwords or clicking malicious links. These account for over 80% of cyberattacks.
- Ransomware — Malicious software that encrypts all your files and demands payment to unlock them. Recovery without a backup is nearly impossible.
- Weak passwords — Reusing the same password across multiple accounts is one of the most common ways attackers gain access.
- Unsecured Wi-Fi — An open or poorly secured business network can be accessed by anyone nearby.
- Unpatched software — Outdated operating systems and applications contain known security holes that attackers actively exploit.
The Basics Every Business Should Have
- Multi-factor authentication (MFA) on all critical accounts — email, cloud storage, accounting software.
- Regular software updates — enable automatic updates for Windows, macOS and all business applications.
- A proper backup strategy — at minimum, a daily automated backup stored off-site or in the cloud. A backup you never tested is not a real backup.
- A business-grade firewall — not just the basic router firewall that came with your internet provider.
- Endpoint protection — a reputable antivirus/EDR solution on every company device, including laptops and mobile phones.
- Employee training — one click on a phishing email can undo all your technical protections. Train your team to recognise suspicious messages.
What Happens When You Don't Invest in Security
The average cost of a data breach for a small business in Europe exceeds €35,000 — and that does not include the reputational damage, lost clients, or potential GDPR fines. Under Belgian law and the GDPR, businesses are required to take appropriate technical measures to protect personal data. A breach caused by negligence can result in fines from the Belgian Data Protection Authority (APD/GBA).
How VisiSupport Can Help
Our IT support team provides cybersecurity assessments, firewall configuration, endpoint protection deployment, employee awareness sessions, and ongoing monitoring for businesses of all sizes across Belgium. Whether you are setting up from scratch or reviewing an existing setup, we can help you build a security posture that fits your budget and risk profile.
Contact us at [email protected] or visit our IT Services page to learn more.
