SMB cybersecurity: the 5 priorities that stop 90% of attacks

SMBs: attackers' favourite targets

Contrary to popular belief, cybercriminals don't only target large corporations: over 60% of ransomware attacks in France hit small and medium businesses, which are often less protected. The typical scenario is always the same: one phishing email, one reused password, and a single night is enough to encrypt the entire information system.

Priority 1: multi-factor authentication (MFA)

MFA alone blocks the vast majority of account compromises. It must be enabled everywhere: email, VPN, cloud tools, admin accounts. It offers the best protection-to-cost ratio on the market — and most cyber insurers now require it.

Priority 2: backups you can actually restore

A backup that has never been tested isn't a backup — it's a hope. The 3-2-1 rule remains the reference: three copies, two media, one off-site — ideally immutable, so ransomware cannot encrypt it. Plus a full restore test at least once a quarter.

Priorities 3 to 5: patching, people, detection

Security updates must be applied within days — not months — of release. Team awareness training, with regular phishing simulations, turns your biggest risk factor into your first line of defence. Finally, a managed EDR detects and isolates suspicious behaviour on endpoints before an attack spreads.

These five measures form the baseline we deploy for every client after a security audit. They require neither a huge budget nor a dedicated team — just method.