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4 crucial steps for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) to bolster their cybersecurity defences

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2 years ago

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cybersecurity

As cyber threats escalate, small businesses must act now to protect their digital assets

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, November 18, 2024/APO Group/ — 

A recent survey (https://apo-opa.co/3UYxSQ5) by cybersecurity firm KnowBe4 (www.KnowBe4.com) has uncovered a concerning gap in security practices between small and large businesses. The study, which polled 2,600 IT professionals, found that 62% of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) do not use multi-factor authentication (MFA), compared to only 38% of large corporations.

This disparity in cybersecurity measures comes as cyber threats are more prevalent than ever. With SMEs increasingly becoming targets for cybercriminals, the need for robust security practices has never been more critical.

“The cost of not implementing cybersecurity measures can be far greater than the cost of implementing it,” warns Anna Collard, SVP Content Strategy & Evangelist at KnowBe4 AFRICA. She emphasises a cyberattack can lead to financial losses, legal fees, loss of customers, and even business closure. “Investing in basic cybersecurity is like investing in insurance—it’s essential to protect your organisation’s future.”

Easy targets

SMEs are increasingly falling victim to cyberattacks because of their perceived vulnerability. “Small companies often have weaker security measures in place compared to larger corporations,” Collard explains. “They might not have dedicated IT staff or the resources to implement robust cybersecurity defences.”

She adds cybercriminals are opportunistic and prefer to go after easy opportunities. “Small businesses might not prioritise cybersecurity, which makes them even more vulnerable. Even non-profit organisations, such as schools and universities, are being targeted.”

Collard cites an example of a small legal firm hit by a ransomware attack. “They had no back-ups of their critical files and their data was held hostage,” she says. “The firm ended up paying a ransom to recover their files, which was extremely costly.”

The damage extends beyond immediate financial losses. “This kind of disruption can harm customer relationships and your reputation,” Collard notes. According to estimates, ransomware attacks can lead to recovery costs that are 10 times higher (https://apo-opa.co/3Zcp0ZG) than the amount demanded by cybercriminals.

To strengthen their defence against cyber threats, SMEs should focus on these four essential strategies:

1. Know your assets and protect them

Investing in basic cybersecurity is like investing in insurance—it’s essential to protect your organisation’s future

“The first thing to do is to create an asset inventory for your organisation,” Collard advises. “You need to understand what information assets are critical to your ongoing operations and how they could be at risk. Understanding the level of risk impacts how to protect them with relevant security software and processes.”

Even though some businesses may baulk at the cost of cybersecurity, she says many measures are low cost or even free. “There is a great privacy and data security toolkit (https://apo-opa.co/4fJ1s4k) targeted at South African SMEs released by the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies and the British High Commission, UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) (https://apo-opa.co/3YLW6OI).” This tool helps with the right approach and provides access to important and cost-effective resources such as anti-malware, patch management and other critical security software solutions for SMEs.

2. Implement MFA

Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) strengthens security by requiring multiple verification methods. “This adds an extra layer of security, making it harder for attackers to gain access to systems and sensitive data,” Collard explains.

Beyond a password, MFA may involve a code from an app, a personal question, or biometric checks like fingerprints. “MFA reduces the risk of account takeovers and data breaches,” she says. “For optimal effectiveness, it should remain user-friendly, while being resistant to phishing attempts.”

3. Do regular back-ups

Another effective cybersecurity strategy is to perform back-ups of your organisation’s files frequently. “All critical data and systems should be backed up regularly and stored securely, preferably off-site or in the cloud,” Collard asserts.

This is essential to ensure your business can continue operating in the case of a cyber-attack. “It was because the legal firm didn’t back up their data that they had to pay the ransom the cybercriminals demanded.”

As well as backing up files, your organisation should regularly update software to ensure vulnerabilities are patched. “It’s also vital to have reliable antivirus software to protect your company from malware and other threats,” she adds.

4. Train your employees

Having staff who are familiar with cybersecurity best practices and use strong passwords is essential, especially given that many companies use remote workers. “Educating employees is a powerful weapon against cybercrime,” states Collard. “It means they are more likely to recognise phishing or other social engineering attempts quickly.”

She gives the example of a small e-commerce business that invested in regular employee training and implemented MFA across all its systems. “When they were targeted in a phishing attack, the employees recognised the threat and reported it, preventing any breach,” she comments. “Their proactive approach to cybersecurity saved them from huge losses.”

By implementing these four strategies, SMEs can significantly improve their cybersecurity posture and protect themselves against the growing threat of cyberattacks. “As the KnowBe4 survey highlights, there’s still much work to be done in bridging the security gap between small and large businesses,” Collard concludes. “However, with the right approach and resources, SMEs can enhance their defences.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of KnowBe4.

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Gold Fields, Moore Global and Mali Chamber of Mines to Lead Gold Growth Dialogue at African Mining Week (AMW) 2026

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2 hours ago

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July 23, 2026

By

Gold Fields

As record prices reshape investment priorities, industry leaders will examine the strategies, partnerships and financing needed to expand Africa’s gold production

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, July 23, 2026/APO Group/ –As African governments and mining companies accelerate efforts to expand gold production and capitalize on strong global demand, African Mining Week (AMW) 2026, taking place October 14–16 in Cape Town, will spotlight the policies, partnerships and investments driving the continent’s next phase of growth in the gold sector.

 

The event will feature a dedicated panel, Expanding Africa’s Gold Output, exploring strategies to increase gold production, formalize artisanal and small-scale mining and strengthen investment across the value chain.

The session will be moderated by Matt Banton, Head of Mining at Moore Global, and feature Fousseni Togola, President of the Mali Chamber of Mines, and Benford Mokoatle, Executive Vice President: South Africa at Gold Fields.

The discussion comes as the global gold market continues to strengthen. Gold prices have remained above $4,000 per ounce throughout 2026, supported by sustained central bank demand as countries increase gold reserves to diversify foreign exchange holdings and strengthen financial resilience. Across Africa, central banks in Tanzania, Kenya, Ghana, Uganda, Egypt and Namibia have expanded gold purchase programs, reinforcing demand while creating new opportunities for domestic producers.

African gold-producing nations are responding by introducing reforms aimed at increasing production and improving sector governance. In Mali, the government is strengthening the artisanal and small-scale gold mining sector as part of its strategy to maintain annual gold production above 60 metric tons. In July 2026, the country established the Malian Office of Precious Substances, a new state institution responsible for regulating and formalizing artisanal gold production across approximately 400 mining sites employing nearly two million people. At the same time, Mali continues to strengthen partnerships with major mining companies, including Barrick, B2Gold, Toubani Resources and Cora Gold, to sustain long-term production growth and attract additional investment.

At AMW 2026, Togola is expected to discuss how the Mali Chamber of Mines is supporting these reforms while highlighting the investment opportunities emerging across the country’s gold sector. His participation will explore the role of chamber members in expanding production, strengthening local participation and positioning Mali among Africa’s leading gold producers.

South Africa is also advancing initiatives to revitalize its gold industry through increased exploration and long-term mine investment. Earlier this year, the government expanded the Junior Mining Exploration Fund to R600 million, improving access to exploration capital for emerging mining companies and supporting efforts to unlock new gold discoveries.

Complementing these national initiatives, Gold Fields is investing R1.714 billion through 2027 to deepen its flagship South Deep Mine, positioning the operation as a long-life production hub well beyond 2030. Gold Fields’ Mokoatle is expected to provide an update on the company’s long-term investment strategy, highlighting how innovation and sustained capital investment are supporting South Africa’s efforts to strengthen gold production.

As investment accelerates across Africa’s gold sector, AMW 2026 provides a premier platform to connect governments, producers, investors and service providers, advancing the partnerships and capital needed to unlock the continent’s next phase of gold production growth.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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Thailand Secures $43.6bn 1H 2026 Investment Surge as Big Tech Accelerates Southeast Asia AI Infrastructure Push

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6 hours ago

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July 23, 2026

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Thailand

BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 July 2026 – Thailand’s foreign and domestic investment applications surged 37% year-on-year to hit $43.6 billion (approx. 1.47 trillion baht) across 1,299 projects in the first half of 2026, driven by a massive wave of capital flowing into digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence (AI) data centers.

The surge comes even as the global economy faces real headwinds — geopolitical tensions, energy price volatility, and the restructuring of global supply chains — with Thailand emerging as a preferred base for investment across Southeast Asia.
Leading the capital influx is the digital sector, which reached a commanding $33 billion (approx. 1.12 trillion baht) in investment applications.

“Thailand’s investment growth held steady even as the world economy faced real turbulence,” said Mr. Narit Therdsteerasukdi, Secretary General of the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI). “This reflects strong investor confidence in Thailand’s potential as a base for the industries of the future.”

This digital windfall was accompanied by robust capital commitments across other high-value industries. The electrical appliances and electronics sector drew $3.56 billion (approx. 120.2 billion baht) across 179 projects, while agriculture and food processing secured $1.82 billion (approx. 61.4 billion baht) across 131 projects. Additionally, logistics and high-value services attracted $1.19 billion (approx. 40.2 billion baht) across 170 projects, and the automotive sector drew $759.2 million (approx. 25.7 billion baht) across 122 projects.

Other notable sectors included mining, metals and materials at $603.5 million (approx. 20.4 billion baht) across 128 projects, chemicals and petrochemicals at $489.1 million (approx. 16.5 billion baht) across 110 projects, and machinery, automation and robotics at $387.4 million (approx. 13.1 billion baht) across 82 projects, signaling broad-based industrial modernization.

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) applications drove the bulk of the growth, skyrocketing 80% year-on-year to $40.5 billion (approx. 1.37 trillion baht) across 877 projects.

Singapore emerged as the top source of FDI, filing applications worth $33.2 billion (approx. 1.12 trillion baht) across 158 projects. The United Kingdom followed as the second-largest investor at $1.40 billion (approx. 47.2 billion baht) across 11 projects, with China close behind at $1.35 billion (approx. 45.8 billion baht) across 321 projects, Taiwan at $1.12 billion (approx. 38.0 billion baht) across 47 projects, and Japan at $970.1 million (approx. 32.8 billion baht) across 123 projects.

These investments remain heavily concentrated in digital technology — including data centers, data hosting, and cloud services — followed by electronics and electrical appliances such as optical transceivers, printed circuit boards, hard disk drives, and data-center networking and cooling systems, along with humanoid robotics parts, automotive parts, food and beverage, and advanced materials. Geographically, Thailand’s industrialized Central region claimed the largest share of capital at $26.7 billion (approx. 903.8 billion baht) across 513 projects, followed by the Eastern region at $14.7 billion (approx. 495.7 billion baht). The Northeastern, Southern, Western, and Northern regions each drew smaller totals, but the North stood out with investment value up 93 percent year-on-year, led by energy and utilities, agriculture and food processing, and medical projects.

To support the massive power requirements of next-generation data centers, Thailand is seeing a parallel surge in renewable energy infrastructure. The energy and utilities sector recorded 221 projects worth $1.17 billion (approx. 39.5 billion baht) during the first half of the year, dominated by 198 clean energy initiatives—including solar, wind, biomass, and biogas power plants—valued at $779.7 million (approx. 26.4 billion baht).

Concurrently, manufacturers are investing in automation to remain competitive on the global stage. Under the BOI’s “Smart and Sustainable Industry” initiative, companies submitted 132 applications valued at $507.6 million (approx. 17.2 billion baht) to upgrade machinery, adopt digital technology, and integrate automation and robotics into production and services, raising productivity and moving Thai industry toward higher-value, sustainable manufacturing.

The projects approved by the BOI in the first half of 2026 will generate over 82,000 jobs for Thai workers and consume approximately $11.4 billion (approx. 386 billion baht) in domestic raw materials annually, accounting for 42 percent of the projects’ total raw material use, and is expected to boost the nation’s export capacity by more than $36.8 billion (approx. 1.24 trillion baht) per year.

The BOI approved investment promotion applications for 1,300 projects valued at $38.7 billion (approx. 1.31 trillion baht) in the first half of 2026.

“Investment value is not the only goal,” Mr. Narit said. “Real success means quality jobs, higher skills, and better income for Thai workers.” “It means real opportunities for Thai businesses inside the supply chain, and growth that reaches every region, not just a few. That is why we will keep pushing for actual investment to happen as quickly as possible through the Thailand FastPass mechanism, driving economic growth and letting Thai people share directly in the shift to the industries of the future.”
 

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Cregis Expands into Africa, Bringing Enterprise Digital Asset Infrastructure to One of Crypto’s Fastest-Growing Regions

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10 hours ago

on

July 23, 2026

By

Cregis

Cregis is bringing proven enterprise digital asset infrastructure to Africa at a time when the region is entering a more mature stage of digital asset development

HONG KONG, China, July 22, 2026/APO Group/ –Cregis (www.Cregis.com), an enterprise digital asset infrastructure platform, today announced its expansion into Africa, marking the company’s latest step in its global growth strategy. The move builds on Cregis’ expansion across Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Latin America, as demand for enterprise digital asset infrastructure continues to grow worldwide.

 

Africa is one of the fastest-growing digital asset markets globally. According to Chainalysis, Sub-Saharan Africa received more than $205 billion in on-chain value between July 2024 and June 2025, up 52% year over year. Growth has been fueled by stablecoin payments, cross-border transactions and broader adoption of digital financial services. At the same time, regulatory frameworks are becoming clearer across several major markets, creating a stronger foundation for enterprise adoption.

For Cregis, those trends signal that the market is entering a new stage.

“We’ve seen this pattern before,” said Shawn Yan, Founder and CEO of Cregis. “Adoption comes first. As businesses grow, the focus shifts to operating digital assets securely, efficiently and in a way that can keep pace with evolving regulatory expectations. That’s where enterprise infrastructure becomes essential, and it’s the same transition we’re beginning to see across Africa.”

Cregis has already onboarded enterprise customers in the region and is expanding its local business development efforts across the continent, with particular attention to markets such as Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa, where digital asset ecosystems are among the most developed. The company is working with businesses including stablecoin payment providers, OTC desks, crypto exchanges and digital banks as demand for enterprise infrastructure continues to grow.

We’ve spent years helping businesses navigate periods of rapid market growth and regulatory change

To support those businesses, Cregis provides an integrated platform that helps enterprises manage the full lifecycle of digital assets, from wallet operations and fund flows to custody, governance and compliance. Its product portfolio includes Wallet-as-a-Service (WaaS) (https://apo-opa.co/4bC3Z0i), Payment Engine, (https://apo-opa.co/4warJRs) TronGas, and Crypto Off-Ramp, allowing businesses to scale digital asset operations without piecing together multiple infrastructure providers.

The expansion builds on nearly a decade of experience supporting enterprise customers across high-growth markets. In Asia-Pacific, Cregis worked with thousands of businesses in markets where digital asset adoption often outpaced regulation. That experience shaped the company’s approach to building infrastructure that balances operational flexibility with long-term compliance readiness.

The same strategy has since been validated in newer markets. In 2024, Cregis established Dubai as its Middle East hub, building a local team and expanding its compliance capabilities alongside regional growth. Today, the company supports more than 200 long-term enterprise deployments across the region and has built a strong presence in the brokerage, payments and fintech ecosystem. Earlier this year, Cregis expanded into Latin America and Europe, rapidly onboarding enterprise customers. In Europe, the company is also working with traditional financial institutions adopting digital asset infrastructure. Together, these experiences have given Cregis a proven framework for scaling across high-growth markets where enterprise demand and regulation are evolving together.

As more businesses adopt digital assets, infrastructure requirements are changing. Beyond secure wallet technology, enterprises increasingly need systems that bring together treasury operations, governance and compliance in one place. Cregis is designed to support businesses at different stages of growth, from fast-growing fintechs and crypto-native companies to institutions operating under stricter regulatory requirements, all on a unified platform. The company maintains a zero-security-incident record and holds internationally recognized certifications including SOC 2 Type I, SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001.
Looking ahead, Cregis plans to deepen its presence across Africa through customer engagement, local partnerships and participation in leading industry events, including Blockchain Africa Conference and Blockfest Africa. The company sees Africa as an important long-term market as digital assets become more deeply integrated into financial services across the region.

“We’ve spent years helping businesses navigate periods of rapid market growth and regulatory change,” Yan said. “Africa is entering a similar phase. Our goal isn’t simply to bring technology into the region — it’s to help local businesses build digital asset operations that can grow with confidence over the next decade.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Cregis Technology Limited.

 

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