IT security one of the biggest challenges for SMBs - guru

Written by Jenny Smith

IT security is one of the largest challenges facing small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) as computer infections are less openly destructive than they used to be, according to an expert.

Graham Fern, director of Axon-IT, says the risks are very real for companies, as cybercriminals are using professionally-written, intelligent and well-executed viral code in streamlined, targeted attacks.

He explains that such activity is now become "mainstream" and that the number of detected viruses over the last two years is almost equal to the amount identified since analysts began recording this information.

"People try and exploit security weaknesses in your firewall, computers or even people - your firm could be attacked through a home worker who's PC is unchecked and insecure," Mr Fern suggests.

He recommends using a multi-layered approach to IT security, including spam filters, firewalls and malware-detecting software, for which companies may want to seek the services of an IT outsourcing company.

Recent research by Forrester Consulting on behalf of Veracode found that almost two-thirds of firms in the UK and US have experienced a security breach in the past year.