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CybersecurityOctober 5, 2025

Business Continuity Plan: What to Do When Everything Fails

Build a robust BCP to ensure your SMB's survival in the event of a disaster.

By Gildas Garrec·3 min

Business Continuity Plan: What to Do When Everything Fails

Build a robust BCP to ensure your SMB's survival in the event of a disaster.

Table of contents: Cybersecurity is no longer a luxury reserved for large corporations. In 2026, SMBs have become the prime target of cyberattacks — precisely because they are often the least protected. 43% of cyberattacks now target small businesses, and 60% of SMBs that fall victim to a serious attack shut down within 6 months.

Threats that specifically target SMBs

Ransomware

Ransomware remains the number one threat. Attackers encrypt your data and demand a ransom (typically €10,000 to €500,000). SMBs are targeted because they pay up more often than large corporations (which have dedicated security teams).

Phishing and social engineering

90% of attacks start with a phishing email. Techniques are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with generative AI enabling the creation of emails that are nearly indistinguishable from legitimate ones.

Data theft

Your SMB's customer, supplier, and financial data holds considerable value on the dark web. A data breach triggers legal obligations (CNIL notification within 72 hours), GDPR fines, and a loss of trust.

Supply chain attacks

Attackers target your suppliers or service providers to reach your business. The security of your ecosystem matters just as much as your own.

The 10 essential measures for an SMB

  • Automated backups: follow the 3-2-1 rule (3 copies, 2 different media, 1 offsite). Regularly test your restore process.

    • In Loire-Atlantique, industrial and service SMBs are particularly affected by this evolving threat landscape.

  • Automatic updates: keep operating systems, software, and firmware up to date at all times. 85% of attacks exploit known vulnerabilities.
  • Multi-factor authentication (MFA): on all critical accounts (email, banking, cloud, CRM). MFA blocks 99% of password-based attacks.
  • Team training: phishing awareness, password best practices, and incident reporting. Refresh every 6 months.
  • Antivirus and EDR: endpoint protection with advanced detection (EDR rather than traditional antivirus).
  • Firewall and network segmentation: isolate critical systems from the rest of your network.
  • Access management: apply the principle of least privilege (each user only has access to what they need).
  • Data encryption: cover disks, emails, and file transfers.
  • Business continuity plan: documented procedures for when an incident occurs.
  • Cyber insurance: transfer residual risk to an insurer.

    • Cybersecurity budget for an SMB

    A good rule of thumb: invest 5 to 10% of your IT budget in cybersecurity.

    For an SMB with 10–50 employees:

    • Core solutions (antivirus, firewall, MFA): €200–500/month
    • Cloud backups: €50–200/month
    • Annual training: €1,000–3,000
    • Security audit: €3,000–10,000 (one-time)
    • Cyber insurance: €1,000–5,000/year
    Total: €6,000–15,000/year. That's a fraction of the cost of a cyberattack (average cost for an SMB: €130,000).

    AI in the service of SMB cybersecurity

    Artificial intelligence is strengthening security across the board:

    • Anomaly detection: AI identifies suspicious behavior in real time
    • Anti-phishing: AI-powered email analysis to catch phishing attempts
    • Automated response: automatic isolation of compromised machines
    • Vulnerability analysis: continuous scanning of your attack surface

    GDPR and legal obligations

    As a French SMB, you are required to:

    • Designate a GDPR point of contact (even part-time)
    • Maintain a data processing register
    • Notify the CNIL within 72 hours of a data breach
    • Obtain explicit consent for personal data collection
    • Enable individuals to exercise their rights (access, correction, deletion)
    GDPR fines can reach 4% of annual revenue or €20 million.
    Want to go further? Check out our Digital Transformation for SMBs: The Ultimate 2026 Guide, which covers the full picture.

    Conclusion

    Cybersecurity is an investment, not a cost. SMBs that secure their systems protect their operations, their customers, and their reputation. The solutions are out there, they're financially accessible, and the return on investment is immediate — measured in risks avoided.

    Secure your SMB: request a security audit.
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