In today’s increasingly connected business environment, maintaining robust ICT security isn’t just a technical concern—it’s central to operational continuity, customer trust, and regulatory compliance. A recent report from Eurostat reveals a concerning reality: more than one-fifth of EU businesses with at least ten employees faced ICT security incidents in 2021. What’s especially notable is that the most frequent issues didn’t stem from high-profile cyberattacks, but rather from internal hardware or software failures. These incidents resulted primarily in service downtime, data corruption, or loss, highlighting a critical need for not just stronger cybersecurity protocols, but also more reliable and resilient network infrastructure. For IT managers and network administrators, this signals that investing in high-quality switches, routers, firewalls, and access points isn’t optional—it’s essential for preventing disruptions and protecting business assets. Let’s examine what the data tells us and how the right hardware can help mitigate these growing risks.
The Eurostat study sheds light on the types of ICT security incidents impacting European businesses. Topping the list was service unavailability due to hardware or software failure, affecting 18.7% of organizations. By comparison, external threats like ransomware and denial-of-service attacks accounted for only 3.5% of incidents. This suggests that internal infrastructure weaknesses often pose a greater risk than external actors. Additionally, 3.9% of businesses reported data destruction or corruption caused by system failures, while 2.1% faced similar outcomes from malware or unauthorized access. Breaches of confidential data were the least common and were frequently tied to employee actions—both intentional and accidental.
From a regional perspective, Finland reported the highest rate of ICT security issues, with 43.8% of enterprises experiencing some form of disruption. The Netherlands and Poland followed at 30.1% and 29.7%, respectively. Denmark and Czechia also ranked among the most affected countries. On the other end of the spectrum, businesses in Bulgaria, Portugal, Slovakia, Hungary, and Cyprus reported the fewest incidents. These variations may reflect differences in technological adoption, reporting practices, or maturity of IT infrastructure across the EU.
What becomes clear from the findings is that organizations must look beyond conventional cybersecurity measures and consider the role that foundational network equipment plays in overall stability. Hardware failures—whether in routers, switches, or servers—can paralyze operations just as effectively as a cyberattack. This is where investing in enterprise-grade networking products proves critical. Reliable hardware reduces the risk of unplanned downtime, improves traffic management, and offers built-in security functionalities such as advanced firewalling, intrusion detection, and secure remote access.
For businesses looking to strengthen their ICT infrastructure, selecting the right equipment is a vital step. Modern switches, for example, can segment network traffic to contain faults or breaches, while high-availability routers can ensure uninterrupted internet connectivity. Firewalls remain indispensable for filtering malicious traffic and enforcing security policies at the network perimeter.
At telecomate.com, we understand how crucial it is to keep your network secure, stable, and scalable. We offer a curated selection of professional networking and security products from industry-leading brands—including Cisco, Juniper, Fortinet, and Huawei—helping you build a more resilient infrastructure. Whether you need a new firewall, a stack of managed switches, or wireless access points with enhanced encryption, we provide solutions tailored to real-world business needs.
Protecting your organization starts with a strong foundation. Explore our range of hardware options and consult with our experts to find the right fit for your network. Visit telecomate.com today—because prevention will always be better than recovery.
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