illustration: bing.com/createThe main reason for these fears is the increasing number of cyberattacks and the fact that these companies process large amounts of personal data, making them an attractive target for criminals.
Where Do These Fears Come From?
- 59% of companies point to frequent, successful cybercriminal attacks as a cause for concern.
- 29% highlight the processing of large amounts of personal data.
- 26% believe they are an attractive target for data thieves.
At the same time, as many as 65% of entrepreneurs claim they are not worried about data theft. The primary reason given is good computer security (50%). Some companies believe they do not process a large amount of personal data (39%) or that they are not an attractive target for hackers (35%).
Attractiveness of SMEs for Hackers
In Poland, the SME sector employs 7.3 million workers, providing hackers with just as many potential victims. The vast majority of these companies (83%) store personal data in digital form, and 50% exclusively in electronic form. This data includes names, surnames, PESEL numbers, phone numbers, and addresses. Meanwhile, 38% of micro-enterprises store employee data on the owner`s computer, while medium enterprises do so on accounting computers (44%).
It is surprising that 90% of companies in the SME sector declare that they properly protect their employees` data. The most confident are small (55%) and micro-enterprises (54%), which claim to have effective security measures. However, as many as 65% of the smallest companies do not regularly update their antivirus software. Medium enterprises also do not fare much better, as 44% of them neglect this basic principle of cybersecurity.
Data Protection Methods
Most companies in the SME sector secure their data using traditional methods:
- 51% limit access to documents only to authorized persons,
- 40% secure files with passwords,
- 36% have alarms or anti-burglary doors,
- 35% install up-to-date versions of antivirus programs.
Less popular methods include storing paper documents in safes (28%) and using remote locking in case external drives are lost (26%). The least frequently used methods involve default blocking of USB ports (19%) and requiring employees to regularly change their passwords (21%).
Experts warn that the lack of regular updates to antivirus software exposes companies to risk. Kamil Sztandera from ChronPESEL.pl, quoted by Newseria Biznes, notes that this illusory sense of security leads to underestimating threats, and SMEs may become easy prey for cybercriminals.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
New articles in section Law in media
Blood in the world of media. The IFJ report on journalists killed in 2025
KFi
The International Federation of Journalists has published a shocking document titled 2025 Killed List Report. The increase in violence against media workers is visible all over the world. Last year, 128 people lost their lives. They die because of their courage in revealing facts that authorities try to hide.
Ai in disinformation. Operation Matryoshka and personalization of fakes
Anna Mikołajczyk-Kłębek
The increasing use of artificial intelligence to generate false content and profiled disinformation are trends that will shape the disinformation landscape in the coming years, according to Dr. Wojciech Kotowicz, an expert from the University of Warmia and Mazury (UWM) in Olsztyn, Poland.
Dietary supplement ads in Poland. Who keeps influencers in check?
Newseria, KFi
One in three Polish internet users considers influencer recommendations when deciding on medicines and dietary supplements. Although promotion of such products is regulated, there are still cases of advertising that skirt the law.
See articles on a similar topic:
Recognizing Fake News. Technologies for Creating False Information
BARD
Artificial intelligence is increasingly used to fake information. Software now allows manipulation of public appearances by politicians. Bots are also used more often in Poland, with hate speech and trolling among the internet’s biggest threats.
Cyber Threats 2023: Phishing Dominates, AI Targeted
Krzysztof Fiedorek
The CERT Orange Polska 2023 report reveals a rapidly evolving cyber threat landscape. Phishing has taken a decisive lead, accounting for over 44% of reported incidents. Advanced social engineering techniques, deepfakes, and a surge in malicious ads lure users with promises of quick profits or easy opportunities.
Children’s Online Safety. Clickmeeting Analysis
KrzysztoF
Over half of surveyed parents believe their children are aware of the dangers lurking online. At the same time, just over 40 percent of respondents admit to taking steps to protect their children’s privacy online.
Online Hate in Numbers. What Do We Think About Offensive Comments?
KFi
Nearly 70% of adults have encountered online hate. The group most affected includes individuals aged 18-24, with 81% reporting exposure to hateful content - according to the report "Hate on the Internet," prepared by the polish Foundation "W zgodzie ze sobą" in cooperation with Maison&Partners and the Ariadna research panel.





























