Cybersecurity for SMEs
in Reunion Island
Protect your business against cyberattacks. Security audit, ransomware protection, GDPR review and disaster recovery can be scoped according to the risks and written contract.
A structured cybersecurity scope can combine assessment, protection, compliance controls and recovery planning. The selected measures, tools and operating responsibilities are confirmed after the information system has been reviewed.
Why cybersecurity has become vital for SMEs
The figures from the ANSSI 2025 "Panorama of the cyber threat" report are unambiguous: 128 ransomware compromises were reported last year in France. SMEs, micro-businesses and mid-market companies remain the most affected category, representing 37 to 48% of victims depending on the year. It is not large corporations that bear the brunt of daily cyberattacks — it is companies like yours.
The impact can include downtime, data loss, remediation, legal duties and loss of trust. Each organisation should quantify these consequences from its own critical processes and recovery tolerances.
"48% of French SMEs have no formalised cybersecurity strategy."— Konica Minolta Barometer 2025
And yet, the on-the-ground reality is stark: nearly one in two SMEs in France still has no documented cybersecurity strategy. No password policy. No tested backup. No plan in case of an attack. We are not talking about negligent companies — we are talking about overwhelmed business owners who lack the internal resources to address a topic they know is important. That is precisely why an external cybersecurity provider makes the difference: they bring the expertise, tools and methodology without requiring an internal hire.
Why Reunion Island SMEs are prime targets
Reunion Island combines several factors that make its SMEs particularly vulnerable to cyberattacks. First, insularity: connectivity depends on the SAFE and LION submarine cables. An attack that paralyses the IT system of a Reunion Island business does not benefit from the same response speed as in mainland France — cyber expertise is rare on the island, and national providers' response times are stretched by the distance.
Then there is the local economic fabric, which is made up of more than 95% micro-businesses and SMEs. Organisations with no CISO, no dedicated cybersecurity budget, and not even an up-to-date inventory of their IT estate. Workstations are often shared, passwords are simple, and backups are non-existent or untested. Software is not updated. Access rights are not managed. These are exactly the conditions that cybercriminals exploit with automated tools that scan thousands of networks looking for such basic vulnerabilities.
Add to this a structural digital lag in the French overseas territories — less access to cybersecurity training, less awareness, fewer specialist providers — and you have fertile ground for attacks. The good news: this vulnerability can be corrected quickly with the right tools and the right support.
The 4 cyber threats facing your SME in 2025
Each type of threat calls for a specific response. Here are the four major risks identified by ANSSI and our recommendations for each.
Ransomware
Encryption of your data with a ransom demand. In 2025, the Qilin (21%), Akira (9%) and LockBit 3.0 (5%) strains dominate the French landscape. Double extortion — encryption + threat of publication — has become the norm.
Phishing & social engineering
Fraudulent emails, fake websites, targeted phone calls. Generative AI makes phishing emails nearly indistinguishable from real ones. Account hijacking surged by 55% in 2025 according to cybermalveillance.gouv.fr.
Data theft and leaks
Exfiltration of client files, HR data, accounting databases. Ransomware-free attacks (pure exfiltration) are on the rise: the cybercriminal threatens to publish your data without even encrypting it. GDPR requires CNIL notification within 72 hours.
Supply chain attacks
Compromise via a supplier, third-party software or a booby-trapped update. Supply chain attacks doubled in 2025 and account for 30% of breaches according to the Verizon DBIR. Your security also depends on your vendors'.
ECLAUD IT cybersecurity services for SMEs
A security programme can cover risk assessment, protection, monitoring and recovery preparation. Responsibilities, coverage, tests and objectives must be defined in writing.
Security audit
Complete IT infrastructure diagnostic based on the ANSSI "13 questions" guide and the 42 IT hygiene measures. Vulnerability identification, risk matrix, prioritised action plan.
Learn more →Endpoint & network protection
FortiGate firewall, FortiEDR (Endpoint Detection & Response), managed antivirus, MFA on all critical access points. Network segmentation and workstation encryption.
Learn more →Monitoring & SOC
Event collection, correlation and alerting. Coverage hours, thresholds and incident handling are defined in the applicable contract.
GDPR compliance
GDPR audit, processing register, outsourced DPO support, CNIL notification procedure. Documented and verifiable compliance.
Learn more →Backup & DRP
3-2-1 backup with air-gapped copy (anti-ransomware), cloud replication, disaster recovery plan tested quarterly. RTO and RPO defined contractually.
Learn more →Team awareness training
Cybersecurity training for your staff. Phishing simulations, password best practices, procedures in case of incident. The human link is the first line of defence.
Tools and technologies we deploy
Tools should be selected against documented risks, compatibility and operational requirements. The ECLAUD IT scope, licences and monitoring responsibilities are confirmed in the contract.
| Tool | Type | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Fortinet FortiGate | Next-generation firewall | Network filtering, VPN, IPS/IDS, segmentation |
| Fortinet FortiEDR | Endpoint Detection & Response | Behavioural detection, automated response, rollback |
| Microsoft Defender for Business | Cloud antivirus & EDR | Endpoint protection, investigation, M365 integration |
| SIEM / Log Management | Event correlation | Log centralisation, anomaly detection, compliance |
| MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication) | Access control | Microsoft Authenticator, YubiKey, conditional access |
| Veeam / Acronis | Backup & replication | 3-2-1 backup, air-gapped copy, DRaaS |
Cybersecurity in Reunion Island — a gap to bridge
Reunion Island organisations should account for local operating, connectivity and continuity constraints when defining cybersecurity controls. Provider comparisons should use the same inventory, coverage hours, responsibilities and SLA.
Any support programme, including Cyber PME, must be checked on its official page for current availability, eligibility and covered expenses. Administrative assistance and implementation are separate scopes.
A pragmatic approach starts with an inventory and prioritises controls against verified risks, dependencies and budget. The sequence, responsibilities and acceptance criteria are documented in the proposal.
To go further in protecting your IT system, explore our local managed IT service on Reunion Island, which integrates cybersecurity into holistic IT management, or visit our services page for a complete overview of our offerings.
How much does cybersecurity cost for an SME?
Cybersecurity pricing depends on the estate, licences, monitoring hours, backup volumes, support and incident-response scope. The following packages require a written quote.
| Plan | Includes | Indicative price |
|---|---|---|
| One-off audit | Full diagnostic (ANSSI 42 measures), detailed report, prioritised action plan | By quote after inventory |
| Monthly package | Managed firewall, EDR, MFA, monitoring, support allowance and security updates according to contract | By quote after inventory |
| Complete pack | Initial audit + monthly package + DRP + GDPR compliance + awareness training | Custom quote (based on estate) |
The quote states licences, deployment, support, monitoring, exclusions and taxes. Funding eligibility must be verified with the official programme before it is included in a budget.
FAQ — SME Cybersecurity
How much does a cyberattack cost an SME?
Impact depends on the systems affected, interruption duration, data loss, remediation, legal duties and customer consequences. Estimate it with the organisation's own operational and financial data rather than a generic average.
My SME is too small to interest hackers — is that true?
This is the most dangerous myth in cybersecurity. SMEs and micro-businesses represent 37 to 48% of ransomware victims in France (ANSSI 2024-2025). Attacks are largely automated: cybercriminals don't target a specific company — they scan thousands of networks and exploit the vulnerabilities they find. An SME without a firewall or MFA is an easy target.
What is the difference between an antivirus and an EDR?
A traditional antivirus compares files against a database of known signatures. An EDR (Endpoint Detection & Response) goes further: it analyses process behaviour in real time, detects suspicious activities even when unknown, and can automatically isolate a compromised workstation. Against modern ransomware that uses evasion techniques, an EDR is indispensable.
Can the Bpifrance Cyber PME programme fund my security?
The programme's availability, eligibility and covered expenses must be verified on its official page when applying. Any assistance with an application or implementation is scoped separately by quote.
How do I know if my company is GDPR compliant?
A GDPR review can cover the processing register, legal bases, retention periods, data security and breach procedures. Its scope, deliverables and action plan are defined in the proposal.
Does ECLAUD IT cover the whole of Reunion Island?
ECLAUD IT is based in Saint-Paul. The service area, on-site response targets and remote-support allowance are defined in the contract after the sites and constraints have been reviewed.
How is a security audit scoped?
The initial review, audit scope, methodology, deliverables and price are confirmed before work starts. A detailed audit is provided only when listed in the accepted quote.
Don't leave your SME
without protection
Initial scoping of the security estate, responsibilities and response requirements, with deliverables and quote confirmed in writing.