Last year, nearly half (45.8%) of Flemish businesses fell victim to a cyberattack, with one in ten of these attacks being successful, involving anything from the theft of sensitive or commercial information to demands for ransom, according to the 2024 cybersecurity barometer—a study commissioned annually by the Flemish government to assess the cybersecurity maturity of Flemish companies.
Digitalisation has become indispensable in the business world, with more companies engaging in e-commerce, social networks, artificial intelligence (AI), and electronic invoicing. However, this digital growth has led to an increase in the number of cyberattacks on businesses, affecting almost one in two companies last year.
“This underscores the urgent need for robust security in an increasingly digital world,” said Flemish Minister-President Matthias Diependaele (N-VA).
There is clearly more work to be done. While a majority of businesses (71%) believe they are well-protected against cyberattacks, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs) often have inadequate procedures and measures.
There are also positive signs. More companies are increasing their budgets for cybersecurity, with half spending the same amount as the previous year, and the other half spending more than in 2023. Additionally, more companies are utilising improvement programmes offered by the government. In 2024, 222 companies participated, four times more than the previous year. “This is proof that our approach works and addresses real needs,” stated Minister-President Diependaele.
“Cybersecurity is no longer a side issue,” said the minister, “it is essential for the continuity, reputation, and competitiveness of our Flemish businesses.” He emphasised that a digitally robust Flanders must also be a “cyber-resilient Flanders.”
