In recent years, with fairly weak security fences, cyber threats have given small to medium-sized enterprises a cause for alarm. Specifically, cyber-attacks have deteriorated businesses’ financial situation, when the cost of cybercrime has gone up by 10%, with a $9.44 million average cost of a data breach in the US. (IBM, 2022). This is where cybersecurity programs emerge, to help SMEs protect their sensitive information and safeguard against cyber threats. However, with so many options available, it can be difficult for SMEs to determine which cybersecurity program is right for their business. In this blog post, VNEXT Global will discuss the top 9 best cybersecurity programs for SMEs in 2023, along with factors to consider when selecting a program.
Top 9 Best Cybersecurity Programs for Small to Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in 2023
1. Program 1: McAfee
With a wide variety of products and services, McAfee is a go-to for companies of all sizes related to cyber security. Software like anti-malware utilities, firewalls, and intrusion detection/prevention systems are all part of their fixes. For enterprises that need remote access, they also provide cloud-based security solutions.
Pros of McAfee include:
- A comprehensive range of solutions that can be customized to meet the needs of any business
- Cloud-based solutions that can be accessed from anywhere
- An easy-to-use interface that requires minimal training
Cons of McAfee include:
- High cost compared to other options
- Some users have reported performance issues
Case Study:
In 2017, a healthcare company in the United States struggled to manage its security infrastructure due to the network's sheer size and complexity. Thanks to McAfee's security platform to monitor and manage the network, visibility & detection of potential security risks increased by 400%. Also, the healthcare institution reported a substantial reduction in the time it took to detect and remedy issues.
2. Program 2: Palo Alto Networks
Palo Alto Networks is a cybersecurity business that offers an array of products, such as firewalls, endpoint protection, and cloud security. Their products are meant to defend enterprises against severe cyber threats.
Pros of Palo Alto Networks include:
- A wide range of solutions that can be customized to meet the needs of any business
- Advanced threat intelligence and prevention capabilities
- Easy integration with other cybersecurity tools
Cons of Palo Alto Networks include:
- High cost compared to other options
- Performance issues detected
Case Study:
A large financial services organization was attempting with the amount of spam and phishing emails that were getting through their existing email security solution. Proofpoint developed its email security platform, which resulted in a 99.9% reduction in spam and a 50% reduction in the amount of time spent on email-related security incidents.
3. Program 3: Proofpoint, Inc.
Proofpoint, Inc. is a cybersecurity firm that offers a variety of services, such as email security, data loss prevention, and cloud security. Their products are aimed to defend businesses from cyber dangers such as phishing and malware.
Pros of Proofpoint, Inc. include:
- Advanced email security capabilities, including protection against phishing attacks and spam
- Easy integration with other cybersecurity tools
- User-friendly interface that requires minimal training
Cons of Proofpoint, Inc. include:
- Limited solutions compared to other options
- High cost compared to other email security solutions
Case Study:
A healthcare provider in the United States sought assistance from Proofpoint, Inc. to protect its email communications from cyber threats. Proofpoint's technologies assisted the organization in identifying and preventing phishing attacks, hence minimizing the likelihood of data breaches. The clients witnessed a significant progression in email security and compliance with industry regulations.
.png)
4. Program 4: Webroot
Webroot is a cloud-based cybersecurity solution that offers real-time threat intelligence and protection against malware, viruses, and other online threats. It uses advanced machine learning and behavior-based analysis to detect and block threats in real time, which helps to protect businesses from zero-day attacks and other advanced threats.
Pros:
- Real-time threat protection
- Lightweight and fast
- Easy to install and use
Cons:
- Limited customization options
- Limited reporting capabilities
Case Study:
One of the clients of Webroot, a healthcare provider, was struggling with malware infections that were impacting their ability to provide critical services to their patients. After implementing Webroot's real-time threat protection solution, the company saw a significant decrease in the number of malware infections, which helped to improve the overall performance and reliability of its IT systems.
5. Program 5: Trend Micro
Trend Micro is a comprehensive cybersecurity solution that offers advanced threat detection and protection capabilities for businesses of all sizes. It uses a combination of signature-based detection, behavioral analysis, and machine learning to identify and block a wide range of threats, including malware, phishing, and ransomware.
Pros:
- Comprehensive threat detection and protection capabilities
- Wide range of customization options
- Strong reporting and analytics capabilities
Cons:
- Relatively expensive compared to other solutions
- Requires some technical expertise to set up and configure
Case Study:
One of the clients of Trend Micro, a manufacturing company, was struggling with an increasing number of ransomware attacks that were causing significant downtime and data loss. After implementing Trend Micro's comprehensive cybersecurity solution, the company saw a significant decrease in the number of successful ransomware attacks, which helped to protect its critical data and minimize downtime.
6. Program 6: Checkpoint Software Technologies
Checkpoint Software Technologies is a leading provider of cybersecurity solutions designed to protect organizations from the most advanced cyber attacks. Its solutions are used by businesses of all sizes to secure their networks, cloud infrastructure, and mobile devices.
The company's flagship product, Check Point Infinity, is a consolidated security architecture that provides advanced threat prevention and management capabilities. Its key features include real-time threat prevention, cloud security, mobile security, and security management.
Pros:
- Comprehensive security solutions for network, cloud, and mobile devices.
- Real-time threat prevention and management capabilities.
- User-friendly and intuitive management interface.
Cons:
- Can be expensive for small businesses.
- Some users have reported technical difficulties with the software.
Case Study:
One company that benefited from Checkpoint Software Technologies' cybersecurity solutions is the University of Guelph, one of Canada's leading universities. The university implemented Check Point Infinity to protect its IT infrastructure and sensitive data from cyber threats. Since then, it has experienced significant improvements in threat detection and management, with fewer incidents of malware and other cyber attacks.
7. Program 7: Fortinet
Fortinet is a multinational cybersecurity company that provides a range of security solutions for businesses and organizations of all sizes. Its products are designed to protect against a wide range of cyber threats, including malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks.
The company's flagship product, FortiGate, is a next-generation firewall that provides advanced threat detection and prevention capabilities. Its key features include real-time threat intelligence, web filtering, and application control.
Pros:
- Advanced threat detection and prevention capabilities.
- Comprehensive security solutions for network, cloud, and mobile devices.
- User-friendly management interface.
Cons:
- Can be expensive for small businesses.
- Some users have reported technical difficulties with the software.
Case Study:
One company that benefited from Fortinet's cybersecurity solutions is Axia NetMedia, a leading provider of fiber optic network services in Canada. The company implemented Fortinet's security solutions to protect its network infrastructure from cyber attacks. Since then, it has experienced significant improvements in threat detection and management, with fewer incidents of malware and other cyber attacks.
8. Program 8: CyberArk
CyberArk is a popular cybersecurity program that offers robust solutions for SME businesses. It focuses on privileged access management and offers tools for protecting privileged accounts, credentials, and secrets. With CyberArk, SME businesses can reduce the risk of data breaches and protect sensitive information from unauthorized access.
Pros:
- Offers robust privileged access management solutions
- Provides granular control over privileged access
- Integrates with other security tools for comprehensive protection
- Offers threat analytics and real-time monitoring
Cons:
- Can be complex to implement and manage
- Can be expensive for SME businesses with limited budgets
Case Study:
A global fintech company that handles sensitive financial information chose CyberArk to secure its privileged accounts and credentials. CyberArk's privileged access management solutions helped the company to ensure that only authorized users had access to sensitive information, and reduced the risk of data breaches. CyberArk's real-time monitoring and threat analytics tools also helped the company to detect and respond to security incidents promptly.
.png)
9. Program 9: CrowdStrike
CrowdStrike is a cloud-based cybersecurity program that offers endpoint protection, threat intelligence, and incident response solutions. It uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to detect and prevent cyber threats in real time and provides 24/7 monitoring and support. With CrowdStrike, SME businesses can protect their endpoints from advanced threats and reduce the risk of data breaches.
Pros:
- Uses artificial intelligence and machine learning for advanced threat detection
- Provides 24/7 monitoring and support
- Offers real-time threat intelligence and incident response
- Easy to deploy and manage
Cons:
- Can be expensive for SME businesses with limited budgets
- May not be suitable for businesses with legacy systems that cannot be upgraded
Case Study:
A healthcare provider that handles sensitive patient information chose CrowdStrike to protect their endpoints and reduce the risk of data breaches. CrowdStrike's artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms helped the provider to detect and prevent advanced threats in real time. The 24/7 monitoring and support provided by CrowdStrike also helped the provider to respond promptly to security incidents and protect patient data.
Final thoughts
