With one in three South African small and medium enterprises (SMEs) falling victim to cyberattacks, the digital threat landscape is no longer a distant concern — it’s a daily reality. SME services provider Lula is calling on small business owners to take proactive steps to protect their operations, data, and reputations.

“Cybersecurity is no longer optional - it’s foundational,” says John Dalton, Head of Engineering at Lula. “Small businesses must treat digital security with the same seriousness as physical security.”

SMEs are particularly vulnerable to cybercrime because they often have fewer resources than large corporations to dedicate to cybersecurity. Yet with SMEs contributing around 40% of South Africa’s GDP, strengthening their digital defences is vital to economic resilience. As businesses head into the busy end-of-year period, including Black Friday and the festive trading season, robust cyber defences are more critical than ever to safeguard transactions, customer data, and business continuity.

Cyberattacks can cripple a business both financially and operationally. From phishing scams and ransomware to insider threats and invoice fraud, SMEs face a growing list of risks. Beyond financial loss, breaches can also result in reputational damage, legal consequences under the Protection of Personal Information Act, and loss of customer trust.

Lula’s Top Cybersecurity Tips for Small Businesses

1. Implement Strong Two-Factor Authentication

Use biometric verification, passkeys, or one-time PINs to secure access to sensitive systems. Avoid password reuse and consider password management tools.

2. Train Your Team

Regular cybersecurity training helps employees spot and report phishing attempts, avoid malware, and practise safe online habits — especially when working remotely. This is critical, as people are often the most vulnerable point in an organization's security and the source of the biggest threats.

3. Back Up Your Data

Regular backups stored separately from operational systems can be a lifeline during ransomware attacks or system failures.

4. Create an Incident Response Plan 

Know how to respond during a cyberattack: isolate affected systems, alert support teams, and contain the breach.

5. Develop a Disaster Recovery Plan 

Ensure your business can restore operations quickly using backed up data and predefined recovery steps.

6. Limit Access to Sensitive Data

Define who can access what, why, and how. Monitor and log access to critical systems to prevent insider risks.

“Cyber threats are evolving — so must your defences,” Dalton adds. “SMEs that invest in cybersecurity today are the ones that will still be standing tomorrow.”

Lula’s business banking platform incorporates multiple layers of security, including biometric authentication, secure access protocols, and a proactive defence system that blocks malicious traffic using real-time global threat intelligence. 

Whether you're a sole proprietor or a growing enterprise, Lula’s Free and Unlimited Business Bank Accounts offer peace of mind with real-time human support and features like Payment Controls and Multicompany that enable easy, secure management of daily business finances.