A series of recent cyberattacks has shaken South Africa’s retail sector, revealing vulnerabilities that many businesses – especially SMEs – can no longer afford to ignore.
e-Commerce retailer OneDayOnly fell victim to a data breach by the hacking group Kill Security (KillSec) late last year. The attackers extracted private contact information, account details, and payment methods from the retailer’s cloud storage, demanding a $100,000 ransom to prevent the data from being published online.
The breach highlighted the vulnerabilities in e-commerce platforms and the potential financial and reputational damages that can ensue from such incidents.
Another data breach involving Claim Expert, a company previously contracted by Pick n Pay for license disc renewal services, exposed the personal information of over 100,000 customers. The leaked data included names, ID numbers, cellphone numbers, and email addresses.
Although the breach was linked to Claim Expert, the association with Pick n Pay brought the incident into the public spotlight, demonstrating how interconnected business relationships can amplify the impact of cyber threats.
These high-profile attacks serve as a stark warning: cyber threats are not confined to large corporations. SMEs often lack the resources to build robust in-house cybersecurity infrastructures, making them attractive targets for cybercriminals.
The question today is: how can businesses balance the need for continuous cybersecurity improvement with budget constraints, especially small to medium-sized enterprises? One effective approach is leveraging managed cybersecurity services like those offered by J2 Software, where we deliver true security that goes far beyond simple compliance checklists.
John Mc Loughlin, cybersecurity expert and CEO of J2 Software, says their managed services provide continuous visibility and ongoing improvement in your security posture – without requiring you to invest heavily in building your own expensive security infrastructure.
“By outsourcing to a team of cybersecurity experts equipped with advanced tools such as deception technology, intrusion detection, threat dashboards, and vulnerability assessments, SMEs gain access to enterprise-level protection at a fraction of the cost,” he explains.
“Our practical, scalable approach ensures that SMEs can meet regulatory compliance requirements and effectively defend against cyberattacks that occur around the clock. With successful attacks like those on OneDayOnly and Claim Expert on the rise, cybersecurity is no longer optional – it’s a mandatory shield for your digital assets,” he stresses.
By partnering with J2 Software, businesses can reduce digital risk, enhance compliance, and gain peace of mind knowing they are truly protected. Ultimately, SMEs can achieve effective and affordable cybersecurity by prioritising managed services that optimise both protection and cost-efficiency. Continuous improvement doesn’t have to mean continuous overspending.
