Kaspersky SMB threat report puts META businesses on alert

Small businesses are no longer operating outside the main line of cyberattacks. The Kaspersky SMB threat report shows that attackers are using many of the same methods against growing companies as they do against larger enterprises, while smaller security teams often face gaps in expertise, policies and resources.

Kaspersky META cybersecurity research points to persistent risks

The findings become particularly relevant across the Middle East, Turkiye and Africa (META) region. Only 18% of businesses with 100 to 499 employees avoided a cyber incident in the past year, compared with 14% globally. In Nigeria alone, Kaspersky tools blocked more than 1.6 million online attack attempts and 2.5 million on-device threats during the first half of 2026.

Across META SMBs, phishing and software vulnerability exploitation each affected 19% of organisations, followed by weak or stolen credentials at 18% and external remote access at 16%. The pattern suggests that familiar entry points remain a major concern even as attack methods become more varied.

Kaspersky SMB threat report highlights the people problem

The Kaspersky small business security study also points to an internal challenge. Globally, SMBs ranked insufficient IT security expertise at 24% and weak security awareness among non-IT employees at 23% among the leading factors increasing cyber risk.

The META region showed a similar picture, with insufficient IT expertise and inadequate security policies both at 25%. High workloads for IT security teams followed at 24%, while shadow IT and a lack of centralised infrastructure control were also significant concerns.

Security budgets rise as META businesses rethink defences

Businesses are responding, but the spending pattern shows that security is becoming a broader operational issue. Around 69% of SMBs in the META region plan to enhance their IT security function, while 70% have increased cybersecurity budgets this year.

For channel partners and technology providers across the Middle East, Turkiye and Africa (META) region, this creates a clearer focus on solutions that can address both technology and skills gaps. Kaspersky's recommendations centre on stronger access controls, regular backups, employee training and security platforms that fit the organisation's size and expertise.

The Kaspersky SMB threat report ultimately points to a simple shift: SMB security can no longer depend on being overlooked by attackers. As businesses digitalise, their defences need to keep pace without creating more complexity for already stretched teams.

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