According to Afnic’s recent 2023 study, Success with the Web, VSE/SMEs are asserting their online presence but still need to make progress with their practices. If they are suitable for various online presence tools, there are still improvements to be made, especially in terms of raising awareness of security and data protection issues.
online presence
The study shows a blueprint for micro, micro and small and medium enterprises online presence. In this case, 65% of the respondents say they have a website, which already shows a real online presence even for very small structures. This percentage rises to 83% for SMEs and VSEs. At the same time, 82% of them are active on social networks. Moreover, 65% of companies declare that they respond systematically to comments and ratings on the Internet, while 58% make natural referrals to their sites. If they are online, it is above all a matter of presenting their activity for 66% of respondents but also a matter of being easily recognized for 49% or even communicating with their customers and prospects (45%). Only 34% do this to sell their products and services online. However, only 39% said they made it to the top of search engine results.
Promoting good practices in terms of security
This study forAVNEC reveals indicators about the integration of security and data protection procedures, which shows us that there is a certain awareness of business risks but it needs to be enhanced through increased use of tools and the adoption of good practices. Only 42% of them regularly backup their data (pages, databases, etc.) and 31% of their configuration (system, CMS, etc.). It should be noted that 42% have deployed security solutions such as firewalls or antivirus software (85% among SMEs) and 41% have regular updates of security patches (system, software, extensions, etc.). Security audits are not popular since only 10% of them declare that they conduct security audits.
Work on search engine optimization
It is still essential for small and medium businesses to work on their references (or SEO for SEO) in order to increase visibility as this control will allow them to increase the visibility of their website on search engines, generating traffic. membership and attract new visitors. This work can also benefit them by allowing them to gain credibility or improve their relevance in their content. By working on search engine optimization as well as the relevancy of your website content, you will respond effectively to requests from Internet users. This can help you better understand your target audience and improve user experience.
Some feedback in cyber security
Here are some cyber security best practices companies can implement to protect their systems and data:
- Employee awareness: Companies should regularly train and educate their employees on IT security risks, including phishing attacks, passwords, remote access, and general security practices.
- Regular updates: Businesses should keep their systems, software, and applications updated with the latest security patches to avoid known vulnerabilities.
- Secure access: Companies must ensure that access to their systems and data is secure, using strong passwords and two-factor authentication. Employees’ access should be limited to the information and tools they need for their jobs.
- Regular Backups: Companies should perform regular backups of their data to prevent data loss in the event of an accident.
- Use of security software: Companies should use security software such as antivirus software, firewalls, and intrusion detection software to protect their systems.
- Mobile device management: Companies must implement a mobile device management policy to protect company data stored on smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices.
- Physical Access Control: Companies must control physical access to their premises and servers to prevent unauthorized persons from entering and accessing systems and data.
