A new Kaspersky report warns that AI-driven threats are outpacing the cybersecurity readiness of Greek small- and medium-sized businesses.
Athens, Greece, 10 December 2025 – Greece is rapidly emerging as a major target for sophisticated cyberattacks, with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) identified as the most vulnerable, according to new research from cybersecurity firm Kaspersky. As global cyber threats reach historic highs, surpassing 500,000 new malware samples detected daily, experts say cybersecurity has become a core component of business survival rather than a simple IT concern.
Kaspersky’s latest findings reveal a sharp rise in advanced cyberattacks across Greece, driven by more complex, AI-enhanced malicious activity. “Half a million malware threats each day is not just a statistic; it reflects a fully industrialised cyberattack ecosystem,” said Vassilis Vlachos, Channel Manager GreCy at Kaspersky. “Attacks are becoming faster, smarter, and significantly harder to detect.”
Recent data shows that Greece now ranks:
- 6th worldwide for malware detected in incoming email
- 1st in Southern Europe for attacks on high-criticality industrial systems
The country has also experienced aggressive increases in password-stealing malware, software exploits, and backdoor intrusions, with backdoor attacks rising more than 130% year-on-year.
SMEs at the Highest Risk
In Greece, SMEs make up 99.9% of all businesses and employ over 80% of the workforce. Their ubiquity and often limited cybersecurity budgets make them prime targets for attackers seeking easy entry points.
Kaspersky’s survey of 880 SMEs across Greece and 15 other countries highlighted major gaps:
- 65% of Greek SMEs have no clear cybersecurity strategy
- Only 28% have dedicated cybersecurity personnel
- Just 18% outsource cybersecurity to specialists
- 35% say leadership does not fully understand cybersecurity risks
- 32% are unsure if their current defences are adequate
While regulatory understanding in Greece is relatively strong, with only 10% unclear about compliance requirements, cyber readiness remains low.
AI-Driven Threats Raise the Stakes
According to Vlachos, modern cyberattacks are increasingly personalised, localised, and convincing due to AI-assisted preparation. “One well-executed breach today can cause long-term operational damage,” he warned. “Cybercriminals no longer cast a wide net; they create precise, high-impact attacks.”
2025: A Decisive Year for Cyber Preparedness
Experts say that Greece is entering a critical turning point. Although awareness and regulation are improving, rapidly evolving threats are advancing faster than SMEs can adapt.
“Cybersecurity is no longer a technical issue; it is a matter of survival,” Vlachos stated. “If Greek SMEs want to maintain operational continuity in an environment where threats change daily, cybersecurity must be treated as a core business priority, not an optional budget line.”
Kaspersky stresses the need for stronger education, accessible security solutions, and deeper collaboration between private industry, government, and small businesses to prevent widespread disruption.