Is Your SME Cyber Ready? Why Now’s the Time to Act

10x Industry

Mokshita P.
10x Industry
Published:

Is Your SME Cyber Ready? Why Now’s the Time to Act

Nearly half of UAE SMEs have suffered cyberattacks—Mastercard steps up with tools like the Trust Center, My Cyber Risk Tool, and Business Builder Program to bridge protection gaps.

In today’s fast-paced digital economy, cybersecurity is no longer just a technical issue—it’s a business survival issue, especially for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Mastercard’s latest global study reveals just how critical cyber resilience has become for these businesses, and why now is the time to act.

Conducted across five countries and surveying over 5,000 SME owners—including more than 1,000 in the UAE—the research highlights a stark reality: 46 percent of SMEs globally have faced at least one cyberattack since they started operations. The most common culprits? Hacking and malware, tied at 32 percent, followed closely by phishing at 31 percent.

And the consequences are not just technical glitches or data losses. The fallout can be devastating—80 percent of affected SMEs say they’ve had to work hard to rebuild trust with customers and partners. Even more alarming, nearly one in five businesses have gone bankrupt (18 percent) or shut down entirely (17 percent) after being hit.

Zooming In: The UAE Landscape

When we look at the UAE specifically, the threat levels rise slightly. A concerning 47 percent of SMEs here report having experienced a cyberattack. While malware remains the most common issue at 32 percent, digital skimming, hacking, phishing, and ransomware are all close behind at 31 percent—with digital skimming being uniquely prominent in the UAE.

Among those affected, 77 percent have had to regain trust from their stakeholders, 25 percent filed for bankruptcy, and 19 percent closed their doors. It's clear that for UAE-based SMEs, cybersecurity isn’t optional—it’s essential.

The Disconnect: Priority vs. Preparedness

The good news? Most SMEs know cybersecurity is important. Globally, around 80 percent of business owners say effective cybersecurity is crucial, and 62 percent make it a top budget priority. In the UAE, 78 percent agree it’s critical, but only 57 percent rank it as a key budget focus.

This gap points to a growing demand for accessible, easy-to-use cybersecurity solutions—ones that don’t require entrepreneurs to become IT experts overnight.

Mastercard’s Cybersecurity Mission

To address this challenge, Mastercard is stepping up. The company is helping SMEs protect their digital operations through a range of tailored programs and partnerships. Here’s what that looks like:

  • Mastercard Trust Center: A comprehensive hub that provides SMEs with cybersecurity education, tools, and insights—regardless of where they are in their cyber journey.

  • Business Builder Program: Launched in February, this initiative offers secure debit and credit card solutions for SMEs, backed by enterprise-level protection from Mastercard’s partner, Cyvatar. It also unlocks access to the company’s Small Business AI tools and cyber resources.

  • Digital Doors: Designed to help SMEs establish and grow their online presence while ensuring digital payment and data security.

  • Partnership with VikingCloud: This brings powerful risk scoring and cybersecurity remediation to small businesses around the world.

  • Complimentary ID Theft Protection: Available for SME cardholders, providing proactive monitoring and recovery support.

  • My Cyber Risk Tool: Powered by Mastercard RiskRecon, this scanner helps small businesses detect and fix vulnerabilities in their websites and apps.

Additionally, Mastercard is working closely with key global organisations like the Global Cyber Alliance (GCA) and the Cyber Readiness Institute (CRI) to demystify cybersecurity and make it more accessible for SMEs everywhere.

The Bottom Line

Cybersecurity threats are evolving—and they’re not slowing down. As more SMEs embrace digital tools, the need for strong, scalable cyber protection is becoming more urgent. Mastercard’s research clearly shows that small businesses are not only aware of the risks—they’re actively looking for the right partners and tools to help them fight back.

By providing cybersecurity solutions and forging meaningful partnerships, Mastercard is empowering SMEs to thrive in the digital world—securely and confidently.