How SMEs can identify and protect themselves against cyber-attacks Kevin O'Regan, Director of Radius Cork. Picture: Michael O'Sullivan /OSM Photo Kevin O'Regan AS we have seen from the recent ransomware attack on the HSE, cyber-attacks have become increasingly common across industries, throughout the world. However, if you do a quick Google search, you will see this is not an isolated incident. It’s also not just global corporate giants that fall victim to these types of attacks. Studies have shown that almost half of cyber-attacks target small businesses and 91% of all cyber-attacks start with a fraudulent or phishing email. As businesses of all sizes continue to operate remotely or using a hybrid model, there is an increased chance of your business falling victim to a cyber-attack. These types of breaches can lead to data being stolen or encrypted, funds being misappropriated and disabled computers leaving employees unable to work. After seeing the disruptive long-term effects of cyber-attacks such as the one on the HSE, it is understandable that SMEs would have concerns about how to manage their digital security. From identification to prevention, here are some ways you can defend your organisation against a similar attack.