Web security in SMMEs: investigating policies and measures in the Cape Metropole area

Abstract

SMMEs1 have often been confined to particular geographical locations to carry out their business. Recently SMMEs have become increasingly more location independent and they are finding it strategically advantageous operating in more than one location made possible by the interconnectivity of the web. The web now offers SMMEs even more opportunities but at the same time, are faced by the challenge of ensuring that adequate measures are in place to protect their information. They therefore, need to protect their information being a valuable asset. The advances in modern technology, especially in the case of computers connected to the web resulted in SMMEs being more vulnerable to loss or the compromise of information due to malicious activity. Most SMMEs in the hospitality industry are required to be connected to the web in order to compete effectively in the market but also face serious consequences if they do not have adequate precautions in place to protect their information. Furthermore, SMMEs are not always aware of the risks that they are exposed to while customers for example, expect some degree of protection when dealing with online businesses. The aim of this paper is to conduct a preliminary study to investigate to what extent SMMEs in the hospitality industry have security policies and measures in place to firstly, keep their information secure and secondly, what security their customers would expect. From this investigation, the researchers will be able to ascertain to what extent SMMEs are generally exposed to in an effort to propose guidelines how to effectively deal with these challenges in their quest to secure their information.