ADDRESSING CYBERSECURITY CHALLENGES IN SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES: A COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS

PROJECT REPORT

By

NAME OF THE STUDENT(S)

KHUSHI JINDAL L - USN 23BMSR0342

School of Commerce, JAIN (Deemed-to-be University)

Month & Year

March 2026

ABSTRACT

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) experience major cybersecurity problems because they have insufficient resources to deal with advancing cyber threats and their present business operations use complex digital systems. Common issues include outdated technology, overburdened IT teams, supply chain vulnerabilities, rapidly changing cyber threats, lack of cybersecurity training, and risks from insider activities. The security problems, which SMEs experience from their various business activities, make them more exposed to cyber threats than bigger companies.

The COVID-19 pandemic has further worsened these existing issues because it has created more opportunities for remote work while organizations have started using cloud services which require them to develop better cybersecurity measures. The study investigates current cybersecurity methods that work for SMEs, which include Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) and regulatory compliance requirements and customized cybersecurity frameworks. The paper presents practical recommendations to improve cybersecurity resilience in SMEs through a review of existing research together with current industry practices in response to the needs of the digital economy.

KEYWORDS

SME cybersecurity, cyber risk management, ransomware and phishing, data protection, information security, regulatory.