The Dutch incumbent follows up on its ‘Extra Safe Internet’ services with new cybersecurity offerings for SMEs
KPN has launched new security filters tools that small to medium businesses can now use to help protect their mobile services. The expansion follows the carrier’s introduction of ‘Extra Safe Internet’ on business internet connections. KPN estimates that since the introduction of ‘Extra Safe Internet’, more than 70% of KPN’s SME customers have activated this service, which provides them with better protection against cybercrime. The remaining 30% can also activate it free of charge.
KPN is now expanding this security filter for mobile traffic with ‘Extra Safe Mobile’ and is also blocking websites based on a DNS and web filter in its mobile network. Even when a business uses a mobile network abroad, for example. This year alone, KPN has blocked more than 200 million websites for SME customers. For example, unsafe websites that are offered via phishing, or newly registered domains and spam URLs. In short, Extra Safe Mobile makes it possible to also provide extra protection for the business mobile internet traffic of employees.
More and more SME companies are taking advantage of the benefits of hybrid working, the cloud and the Internet of Things. “This is of course a very nice development, but it also requires extra protection,” said Thomas Tolsma, responsible for services to SMEs at KPN. “That is why we unburden SME entrepreneurs with low-threshold extra protection options against malware, phishing and cybercrime.”
He added: “With filtering of fixed and mobile internet traffic and our security package with back-up facilities, end-point protection of devices and awareness training, SME entrepreneurs can easily do the maximum to protect themselves. In this way, we enable companies to concentrate on doing business while data and the digital environment are a loT safer.”
Cyber package
In addition, KPN is introducing a new security package with all relevant security services that protect SME companies even better against digital threats. The new cybersecurity package includes a password manager which the operator claims goes further than most password managers, a backup option, workplace security that protects laptops or desktops against malware, ransomware, phishing and other cyber attacks.
No matter how well protected, human behaviour is one of the biggest risks, which is why KPN added awareness training as part of the package. This increases cyber awareness and SME entrepreneurs and employees learn, using phishing simulations, for example, to recognise suspicious e-mails, avoid fake websites and better protect personal data.
Plenty of threats
Cyber-threats are one key area SMEs face but a new area is the phenomenon of drop shippers which are online stores that have their products shipped directly from China to consumers. Last month, the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) said it has already received more reports and questions about online purchases than it received in 2023 as a whole: over 18,000 reports in 2023, and already 20,000 thus far in 2024.
In September Dutch Police reported that, so far this year, they had received over 3,400 reports of people posing as police officers to get their victims to hand over money, jewellery and other valuables. In 2023, there were 500 such reports as a whole.
According to NL Times, there has been a significant increase in fraud using English to scam people via a telephone call. The Dutch Fraud Help Desk received 800 reports of this type of fraud in the first half of October. A spokesperson confirmed that this was more than the whole month of September.