The Symantec 2010 Global SMB Information Protection Survey reveals that 67 percent of Indian SMEs are most concerned about data loss, with 80 percent focusing on enhancing backup, recovery and archiving initiatives

Symantec Corp. released the India findings of its 2010 Global SMB Information Protection Survey. The survey reveals that small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs with 10 to 499 employees) are aware of the need to adopt a complete information protection strategy that goes beyond a basic antivirus solution. Sixty-seven percent of the respondents cited data loss as a key concern area and 60 percent consider cyber attacks as a potential business risk.

The Symantec 2009 Security & Storage survey revealed the lack of a basic security solution like antivirus; in contrast, the 2010 findings indicate that information protection initiatives, such as backup, recovery and archiving are finding acceptance. The current annual average spend on IT is approximately Rs 148,000/ (Approx. US$3,000). A noteworthy trend is a marked increase in the adoption of backup and recovery solutions, (80 percent), as well as a new technology like deduplication, (51 percent), either installed, or in the process of installation.

"The impact of losing critical business information is detrimental for SMEs and can result in damaged reputation and revenue losses," said Vineet Sood, Head, Channel and Alliances, Symantec. "Last year, a Symantec survey found that security awareness levels were lower and many SMEs did not have even a basic antivirus solution in place. The 2010 survey findings highlight a progressive trend towards SMEs adopting a more comprehensive information protection strategy."

Survey Highlights

• Data Loss and its Impact
  According to the survey, 50 percent consider loss of critical business information a top business risk. Seventy percent of the respondents lost confidential data in the last one year, with 66 percent suffering revenue losses. A high number (61 percent) reported negative impact on their image and 46 percent saw a dip in customer trust.
  
  
• Braving Cyber Attacks
  Cyber attacks continue to plague Indian SMEs, but there was an overall decline. Sixty-eight percent of SMEs were prone to few cyber attacks this year, while 22 percent of SMEs faced them on a regular basis.
  
  
• Information Protection Initiatives on the Rise
  Backup and recovery has emerged as one of the key areas of improvement in the survey this year. Eighty percent of SMEs consider installing backup, recovery infrastructure as "somewhat important" and "absolutely important." Thirty-two percent have an archiving solution running in their environment.
  
  Fifty-eight percent of SMEs back up their data on a daily basis while others cite a lack of resources as the principal reason for not backing up data regularly. SMEs have realised the importance of data deduplication, with 68 percent having initiated the discussions and the implementation process.
  
  
• Budget Woes
  The annual average spend on IT by an Indian SME is Rs 148,000/ (Approx.US$3,000). This is significantly lower than the average spent of US$ 12,500 in the Asia Pacific Japan region.
  
  
• Disaster Recovery (DR)
  A well-documented DR plan is yet to find a place in the list of priorities as it was last year. Fifty-nine percent have either a plan that is not well-documented or needs work. Twenty-four percent have no plan at all.