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Digital assaults escalate, posing a growing danger to various sectors.

Cyberattacks have successfully breached the defenses of approximately one out of every four firms, as revealed by the German Insurance Association (GDV).

Increasingly dangerous digital assaults pose a growing concern.
Increasingly dangerous digital assaults pose a growing concern.

Digital assaults escalate, posing a growing danger to various sectors.

The German Insurance Association (GDV) and Forsa Gesellschaft für Sozialforschung und statistische Analysen have conducted a survey since 2017, focusing on cybersecurity practices and challenges for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Germany. The latest findings reveal a concerning picture of preparedness and response to cyber threats.

According to Jörg Asmussen, the CEO of GDV, the survey results indicate that many companies are still not adequately prepared for cyber-attacks. One in five medium-sized companies does not perform weekly backups or stores them insecurely, and a significant number of companies are not adequately preparing for cyber-attacks.

The survey results suggest an increasing severity of impact from cyber-attacks on medium-sized businesses. In a recent survey, 27% of respondents have already been victims of a cyber-attack, with 39% of affected businesses taking four or more days to restore their IT systems, compared to around 20% in previous years.

Despite these security gaps, a broad majority (70%) of medium-sized companies consider the risk to their own company to be low. However, Jörg Asmussen warns that the middle class is particularly vulnerable to cybercrime due to its complacency. He emphasizes the importance of data backups in cybersecurity, as backup copies are particularly effective against ransomware attacks and should be as up-to-date and secure as possible.

The GDV's Cyber Secure initiative aims to raise awareness of cyber threats and show SMEs how to protect themselves. However, the survey results suggest that the initiative has not effectively addressed the issue of lack of preparation and planning among companies. Only 21% of surveyed medium-sized companies meet all ten basic requirements for IT security, and one-third of the companies have no one explicitly responsible for IT security.

Half of the companies have no plan for dealing with a cyber-attack, and 79% of medium-sized companies believe they are already doing enough for their IT security. This overconfidence in current security measures could potentially expose companies to further risks.

The GDV's Cyber Secure initiative provides guidance on common cybersecurity practices for SMEs. These practices include using antivirus software, firewalls, employee training on phishing, and increasing investment in IT security measures. Despite these recommendations, it is crucial for SMEs to stay vigilant and proactive in their cybersecurity efforts.

In conclusion, the latest GDV-Forsa survey reveals a need for improved cybersecurity preparedness among SMEs in Germany. With the increasing severity and frequency of cyber-attacks, it is essential for companies to invest in IT security measures, develop response plans, and regularly update their data backups to protect their sensitive information and maintain business continuity.

The cybersecurity technology recommended by the GDV's Cyber Secure initiative, such as antivirus software, firewalls, and employee training on phishing, is crucial for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to stay vigilant and proactive in their cybersecurity efforts.

However, the survey results suggest that many companies, including one-third of the SMEs, have no one explicitly responsible for IT security, which could potentially expose them to further risks.

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