Today, no organization is spared from the growing threat of cyberattacks. And small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are no exception. In fact, they have become prime targets. Why? Because they handle sensitive data, rely on digital tools to operate, but often have limited resources to ensure their cybersecurity.
At SP Tech, we see it every week: SMBs that thought they were ‘too small’ to attract hackers… until it’s too late. The good news? It’s never too early — or too late — to protect yourself smartly.
Cyberattacks: A Very Present Reality
The question is no longer if an attack will happen, but when. Over the past year alone, hundreds of Quebec businesses have been targeted. Some have come out unscathed, while others have seen their operations paralyzed for days, even weeks.
And no, these attacks don’t always come from abroad. A simple unfortunate click, outdated software, or an unsecured device can be enough to open a vulnerability.
According to the BDC, 73% of Canadian SMEs have already suffered a cyberattack. As this logic aptly summarizes:
‘Rather than trying to extort a million from a large, well-protected company, hackers often prefer to ask for $50,000 from twenty small, vulnerable businesses. Size guarantees nothing.
Protecting your business is protecting its mission.
Investing in cybersecurity doesn’t mean buying a miracle tool. It’s about adopting a strategic approach, based on concrete and thoughtful actions to:
Prevent business interruptions
Preserve the company’s reputation
Ensure the security of customers and partners
Avoid potentially devastating financial losses
And no, you don’t need a colossal budget to implement effective protection. There are solutions tailored to the realities — and resources — of SMEs. The key is knowing where to start.
What budget should be allocated for an SME
Cybersecurity doesn’t need to be expensive to be effective. But it must be carefully planned.
According to industry best practices:
The IT budget should represent between 2% and 18% of annual revenue.
Of this budget, 4% to 20% should be allocated to cybersecurity. (Source: La Presse)
It’s not about doing everything at once, but prioritizing strategically: training teams, protecting critical data, building an incident response plan… These are all sustainable investments that help prevent far more costly losses in the long run.
SMEs: Where to start?
Here are the essential foundations to put in place:
🔐 A clear intervention plan
Know what to do, who to contact, and how to react effectively in case of an attack.
🔄 Regular updates
Operating systems, software, antivirus: everything must stay up to date.
🔑 Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
Essential to secure sensitive access.
🧠 Employee awareness
Because human error remains the most exploited weak link by hackers.
📦 Backups and a business continuity plan
To ensure continuity, even in the event of a major incident.
These simple but effective measures significantly reduce risks. And most importantly, they send a strong message: your company takes cybersecurity seriously.
Remote Work: When Security Must Keep Up with Mobility
With the rise of remote work, the traditional boundaries of the corporate network have disappeared. Employees are connecting from home, a café, or while traveling, often using their personal devices. And meanwhile, sensitive data is still circulating…
In this context, it is crucial to talk about SASE (Secure Access Service Edge): an architecture that combines network security and cloud access. A model that has become essential for SMEs looking to offer flexibility without compromising security.
Today, securing only the office network is no longer enough.
It’s necessary to protect every access point, every connection, every user — no matter where they are
SP Tech helps Quebec SMEs
At SP Tech, we support local businesses. Assisting in the implementation of cybersecurity tailored to their needs, yet scalable, is at the heart of our mission. If you wish to be guided, contact us.
