Cyberattack: What Is It and How To Prevent It?

What is a cyberattack?

A cyberattack occurs when cybercriminals, hostile regimes, or professional hacking groups attempt to access sensitive information. This could include stealing your passwords, financial records, business strategy, customer data—or even taking your entire website offline.

The average cost of a cyberattack

It’s a nightmare scenario for any business or individual: a cyberattack can be incredibly costly. In the Netherlands, the average cost of an incident can reach up to €300,000. According to a report by KnowBe4 (a cybersecurity platform focused on human risk management), the global average cost of a data breach has now risen to $4.88 million.

The report states:

“In an ecosystem that is increasingly reliant on digital systems, a failure to recognize the inherent risks of disruption or infiltration of the IT infrastructure puts any enterprise, large or small, at risk of severe damage and in some cases even collapse.”

One in three small businesses underinvests in cybersecurity

Despite the risks, many organizations—particularly small businesses—still underinvest in cybersecurity. They also tend to choose free SaaS tools, which aren’t always the safest option. For instance, what happens to your data if you stop using a free app? Does the provider have the right to keep it? Can you still access or delete your information?

These are questions you absolutely must consider.

How to prevent a cyberattack when working in the cloud

1. Choose reliable SaaS vendors

Good SaaS providers take cybersecurity seriously. They invest in strong digital protection like data encryption, regular backups, automatic updates, and robust firewalls. Since working in the cloud is now the norm, top SaaS vendors (like FlowQi focus heavily on keeping your data safe. They’re not just software providers—they’re security experts.

2. Choose a SaaS vendor in the EU (preferably the Netherlands)

Thanks to the GDPR (known as AVG in Dutch), the EU has strict regulations around data privacy and security. European SaaS vendors are required to comply with these standards, which offers you more control and better protection.

If you choose a provider outside the EU (like in the US), your data may be subject to different (less strict) laws, and the risks around access and privacy increase.

3. Ensure good security on your own side

Even with the best software, you still need to take responsibility for your own digital safety—and that starts with strong passwords. Cybercriminals don’t guess passwords manually. They use tools that automatically test millions of combinations. That’s why weak or reused passwords are a huge risk.

Weak passwords:

• Anything shorter than 12 characters
• Your own name, pet’s name, or child’s name with numbers
• Birth years or info visible on your social media
• Repetitive patterns like abc123abc123

Strong passwords:

• Use a passphrase (a short sentence) instead of a single word
• Aim for at least 12 characters
• Combine uppercase, lowercase, numbers and symbols (e.g. EverySummerBikewe\#23km\!)
• Turn on two-step verification (e.g. a login code via an app)

And don’t forget: use a different password for each account. That way, if one login gets compromised, the rest stay safe.

4. Keep your devices and local software up to date

Hackers often exploit known vulnerabilities in outdated software or operating systems. That’s why it’s essential to:

• Don’t delay updates. Set your laptop, phone, and other software to update automatically.
• Install only what you need. Regularly review the apps and programs you’ve installed. If you no longer use something, delete it.
• Stay alert for phishing and scams. Always double-check the sender’s email address and avoid clicking on links or downloading files you don’t trust.

5. Train your team (and yourself) in cybersecurity

Most cyberattacks don’t start with a technical issue—they start with human error. Someone clicks the wrong link, shares a password, or downloads an unsafe file. That’s why training is so important.

With a bit of basic knowledge, you can prevent many common mistakes. Cybercriminals are getting smarter, and phishing emails are becoming harder to spot. Cybersecurity training helps you build a culture of awareness, and reduces the risk of financial or reputational damage if something does go wrong.

Here’s how you can train your team:

• Watch short online training or videos on cybersecurity basics.
• Hold short knowledge sessions regularly. Think 15 minutes during a team meeting or coffee break.
• Use real-life examples or test emails to help your team recognize phishing attempts.
• Make clear agreements about password management, installing updates, and using software.
• Create a simple roadmap for data breaches or suspicious situations: who do you call, what steps do you take?

Conclusion: invest in the right tools to prevent cyberattacks

Secure software and a solid security strategy are no longer optional—they’re essential. By investing in the right tools and training, you can prevent cyberattacks and keep your business running smoothly and safely.