La Ciberseguridad Microempresarial y su Continuidad Operativa

This research stems from the problems observed in the microenterprise sector of Ambato, Ecuador. Microenterprises in Ecuador are characterized by having few employees, low income, simple management, and a strong local presence, resulting in a low level of technology use. Specifically, in the microenterprise sector of Ambato, microenterprises make extensive use of Excel and basic accounting software, and while computers are not widely available, they do have internet access. Cybersecurity is generally overlooked, and when a computer crashes due to physical damage or a virus, the microenterprise halts its sales and digital marketing until the necessary repairs are made. This research, whose general objective was to evaluate the impact of cybersecurity on the operational continuity of microenterprises in Ambato, was proposed as a solution to this problem. Thirty-two micro-entrepreneurs were surveyed, and they confirmed a very low level of cybersecurity in some cases, and in others, its complete absence. Another important finding was the low level of cybersecurity awareness among the staff working in this sector. From this, it is concluded that there is a high incidence of technological failures affecting operational continuity. Therefore, a cybersecurity plan is urgently needed in this sector to better guarantee operational continuity.