Observed Signal · Sep 24, 2026 · Survey/Study · Source: Retail-News · Impact: 1/5 · Sentiment: Negative
Survey: Cyberattacks hit 90% of European SMBs
A Kaspersky survey reveals that 90% of European small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) experienced at least one security incident in the past year. The most severe incidents included broad malware attacks and attacks using legitimate administrator tools, each at 10%. Phishing and exploitation of vulnerabilities related to AI followed at 8% each. Personal customer data was affected in 28% of severe incidents, business strategy information in 26%, and sensitive data like financial access or legal documents in 25%. Many companies reacted by installing new security solutions, updating systems, introducing password policies, or conducting vulnerability scans. Kaspersky recommends restrictive access rights, automated backups, clear software installation guidelines, and regular security training for employees.
The article reports on a cybersecurity survey relevant to SMBs but has indirect relevance to AdTech/MarTech and provides no new specific industry impact.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- 90% of surveyed European SMBs experienced at least one security incident in the past 12 months.
- Most severe incidents: malware attacks (10%) and attacks using legitimate admin tools (10%).
- 28% of severe incidents compromised personal customer data; 26% affected business strategy information.
- 30% of SMBs installed new security solutions or updated existing systems in response.
- 74% of European SMBs have increased cybersecurity budgets (from prior survey).
Ontology Mapping & Concepts
Related Market Signals & Shifts
Recent verified developments and strategic activity across this market segment.
90% of SMEs Affected by Cyberattacks
A Kaspersky study cited by Retail-News reports that 90% of surveyed small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Europe experienced at least one security incident within a year. The research finds that human factors — insufficient IT security knowledge, weak security culture, and poor organizational structures — are more often blamed for successful attacks than missing security technologies. Phishing affected 23% of respondents, AI-based attacks 18%, while vulnerabilities, business email compromise, supply-chain attacks and deepfakes each affected about 15%. Around 74% of surveyed companies have increased cybersecurity spending, investing in personnel, hybrid/cloud protection and security training; 65% plan further security investments. Kaspersky recommends combining modern security software with regular employee training, automated backups, strict access controls and email protection.
Swiss SMEs Underestimate Cyber Threats
A Deloitte study published on 20 August 2026 finds that many Swiss small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) underestimate their cyber risk. In a survey of 924 SME employees, 49% reported experiencing a serious cyber incident in the past three months, yet only 22% rated the threat to their company as high. The perception gap is larger among very small firms (38% reported incidents; only 15% judged risk as significant). Deloitte warns that cyberattacks have increased in frequency and that cybercriminals are using artificial intelligence to automate and refine attacks.
One in Nine German Internet Users Hit by Cybercrime
A representative survey published in the Cybersicherheitsmonitor 2026 by the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) and the Police Crime Prevention authority (ProPK) finds that 11% of internet users in Germany were victims of cybercrime in the past year and 27% have experienced digital crime in their lifetime. The study, based on interviews with 3,060 people in January 2026, reports online-shopping fraud (22%), unauthorized account access (14%), online-banking fraud (13%) and phishing (12%) as the most common offenses. Nearly 88% of victims suffered harm, with 33% reporting financial losses and many reporting reduced trust in online services. The survey also highlights limited proactive security behaviour: 55% perceive their personal risk as low, only 14% regularly inform themselves about cybersecurity, and use rates for protective measures like strong passwords (46%) and antivirus software (40%) remain suboptimal. BSI and ProPK call for simpler, more secure products from industry.
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