Cybersecurity Issues and Solutions Within the South African Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

Abstract

This systematic literature review paper presents the main cybersecurity issues and their challenges within the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa. The SMEs play a very crucial role in the growth of the country’s economy and Gross Domestic Product (GDP). However, following the global pandemic, the economy has become increasingly dependent on technology as a driver in different sectors. With the rapid adoption of technology, SMEs constantly face significant cybersecurity issues and challenges that regularly demand proactive and effective measures. These measures guard against exposure to sophisticated cyber-attacks. This study examines the state of cybersecurity within South African SMEs by assessing the effective use of cybersecurity measures, exploring the extent of their implementation, and identifying best practices to strengthen cyber resilience within these SMEs. To achieve this aim, a systematic literature review is conducted to examine high-quality peer-reviewed journals from 2021 to July 2025, providing more insight into the issues associated with cybersecurity in SMEs. Results highlight the vulnerability of SMEs to various cyber threats, including phishing, insider threats, and ransomware. The lack of awareness among employees, inadequate cybersecurity measures, limited resources, the shortage of professional experts, and the absence of effective measures specifically tailored to the needs of SMEs. Additionally, the mitigation strategies emphasize the adoption of robust security measures that are specifically tailored to the needs of SMEs. To enhance cyber resilience, this study also recommends the use of cybersecurity measures tailored to SMEs, encouraging employee education training programs, and the creation of reliable strategies.