BANGKOK, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- ESET, developer of award-winning cybersecurity software, today released data from the ESET 2017 SMBs survey showing that SMBs in Thailand were the most prone to encryption-related cyber breaches within the region.
Among the SMBs surveyed in Thailand which experienced cyber breaches, an overwhelming proportion (92%) claimed that their cyber breach was related to encryption, as compared to other countries in Asia Pacific (APAC) such as Japan (72%), India (61%), Hong Kong (57%) and Singapore (43%). SMBs in Thailand were also most susceptible within the region to cyberattacks from two-factor authentication (2FA), with 77%1 suffering from a 2FA-related breach.
A high proportion of Thai SMBs have adopted encryption as cybersecurity measures, with 80% having adopted personal data encryption and 73% having adopted encryption for data in transit. Despite having these cybersecurity measures in place, it appears that SMBs need to look into proper execution of these cybersecurity measures.
"Apart from implementing advanced cybersecurity tools, it is important to also ensure that users are educated on taking pro-active measures to defend against cyber threats," said Parvinder Walia, Sales and Marketing Director for Asia Pacific and Japan, ESET. "Given Thailand's strong Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) culture, SMBs should consider educating employees on cybersecurity measures for personal devices at work which could help lower their susceptibility to cyberattacks."
The latest findings from ESET mirror the data on the overall perceptions and activities around cybersecurity for the region. Businesses in the region appear to be stepping up efforts in the fight against cybercrime given that a majority of businesses, regardless of size or market region, reported utilizing cybersecurity solutions such as antivirus software and firewalls.
The survey polled 1,500 respondents with 300 respondents from small and medium businesses in each of the following markets: Singapore, Hong Kong, India, Thailand and Japan. The objective of the survey was to get a better understanding of the perceptions and activities related to cybersecurity of small and medium-sized businesses in the region. In particular, it sought to uncover what high-level business executives and IT professionals in Asia Pacific thought about issues such as the importance of cybersecurity to business operations, the existing policies and procedures they had in place, as well as their opinions on the need for advanced cybersecurity technology such as 2FA and encryption.
1 Respondents could select multiple causes for their breaches
About ESET
For 30 years, ESET® has been developing industry-leading IT security software and services for businesses and consumers worldwide. With solutions ranging from endpoint and mobile security, to encryption and two-factor authentication, ESET's high-performing, easy-to-use products give consumers and businesses the peace of mind to enjoy the full potential of their technology. ESET unobtrusively protects and monitors 24/7, updating defenses in real-time to keep users safe and businesses running without interruption. Evolving threats require an evolving IT security company. Backed by R&D centers worldwide, ESET becomes the first IT security company to earn 100 Virus Bulletin VB100 awards, identifying every single "in-the-wild" malware without interruption since 2003. For more information visit www.eset.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.
