More than half of SMEs are vulnerable to data loss due to inefficient data storage policies and the intensification of infrastructural challenges, according to the 2008 SME survey.
The survey revealed the majority of companies don't use backups as a means of information security. Only 39% of companies do daily backups, while 16% of companies back up their data monthly, and 20% perform weekly backups. The majority of companies do have anti-virus and anti-spyware software loaded, 84% and 78% respectively, and 46% have a disaster recovery plan in place.
Arthur Goldstuck, MD of World Wide Worx, says for the 58% of respondents who considered connectivity a mission-critical aspect of their IT infrastructure, the shadow cast by load-shedding persists. “Load-shedding is the worst cause of data loss among local SMEs, with 37% of those surveyed saying the load-shedding in the first half of 2008 had a high impact on their business. Fifteen percent said load-shedding was the main reason for data loss, and 66% said they had lost up to 25% of revenue as a result. This shows the full effect of load-shedding.”
According to the survey: “While these were having a major impact on the ability of SMEs to remain competitive, SMEs had become flexible and adaptable due to being required to overcome newly emerging challenges and obstacles over the years.”
In response to load-shedding, 10% of respondents moved from desktops to laptops in first three months of this year, and another 15% purchased 3G cards. Thirty-nine percent purchased UPS devices in first three months of this year to keep their desktops going, and 50% had increased their usage of the cellphone to contact clients.
“This indicates that SMEs are sensitive to infrastructural problems, but respond quickly,” says Goldstuck. “When we add up all the severe challenges faced by SMEs and look at how quickly they respond, it brings to mind the old saying: 'what doesn't kill you makes you stronger'.”
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