A new Eurostat report released during European Cybersecurity Month has placed Malta among the top three EU countries for the percentage of businesses affected by ICT-related security incidents.
In 2023, 28.7% of Maltese enterprises reported cyber incidents, significantly above the EU average of 21.5% (1). These incidents included data breaches, service disruptions, and the loss or exposure of sensitive information.
For a country with a strong digital infrastructure and sectors such as iGaming, finance, and public services, these figures are a clear sign that cyber risk is no longer a background concern. It is now a front-line business issue.
The Cost of Waiting
The rise in incidents highlights a clear shift: cyber threats are no longer isolated to high-profile targets or large enterprises. Attacks are faster, more targeted, and increasingly automated , meaning that even small lapses in detection or response can lead to costly outcomes.
This mirrors findings from other recent reports, including IBM’s Cost of a Data Breach study, which found that the average breach lifecycle now spans 287 days, with the majority going undetected for months. Alarmingly, over 95% of breaches are linked to human error.
The longer a threat goes unnoticed, the higher the cost, not just in euros, but in downtime, compliance risk, and customer trust.
Why Local Solutions Matter
Cybersecurity is no longer just a matter of installing tools and hoping for the best. It is about real-time awareness, rapid response, and proactive defence, all of which depend on visibility and accountability.
SmartSaber, launched in collaboration with CY4, was built in direct response to challenges like those outlined in the Eurostat report. It offers:
- 24/7 real-time monitoring of systems and infrastructure
- AI-driven detection to identify and prioritise genuine threats
- Expert incident response, including forensic investigation
- Compliance support for GDPR, NIS2, and DORA
- Local hosting on Smart Cloud, ensuring full data sovereignty within the EU
Whether supporting small businesses without in-house security teams, or regulated organisations that require real-time visibility and control, SmartSaber offers a scalable solution that meets the increasing demands of today’s cyber environment.
Malta’s position in this report is not just a statistic. It is a signal that cyber resilience must become a core part of how organisations operate. The threats are real, but so are the tools and expertise to manage them.
SmartSaber represents a step forward for businesses that need to protect critical systems, ensure compliance, and respond effectively to an evolving threat landscape.
For more information or to request a consultation, visit smartsaber.com