These days, it's hard not to write about IT security and the precautions companies should be taking. Last week, we outlined for you, in a slideshow, the top 10 security breaches of 2009 so far, but that was just the tip of the iceberg.

There are thousands more, maybe some at your company, that did not get to the top of the list. IT executives should ignore what's happening at their own peril.

This week, we report on a new McAfee survey that finds more midsize companies are being attacked than ever before. This is an ominous sign for any business that relies on communicating with the world online, selling products or listening to customers.

To complicate the situation, IT shops are reluctant to spend more money to defend their computer systems in the wake of a devastating recession that has led to business cutbacks and layoffs. The situation is supposed to be ending soon, many experts say, but it hasn't ended yet. Until it does, SMBs face difficult decisions on whether to spend more money to protect their systems or risk exposing themselves by not buying the best level of security they can get.

It's a tough call for just about any organization and it's a no brainer if you have already been hit. But even if you haven't, a risk assessment is always a good way to determine what your options are. More than 70 percent of the companies surveyed by McAfee say a bad attack could put them out of business.

At the same time, almost 40 percent of those surveyed said they were likely to limit their purchase of new security products. More than a third plan to switch to cheaper security software to cut down on expenses.

This may sound like a good way to save money, but it could backfire.

It certainly seems that the hackers roaming cyberspace are indiscriminate about who they attack. While they would like big targets, SMBs are enticing prey. Why not? Experience has shown cybercriminals that they are not as carefully protected and are more easily vulnerable.

The question for every SMB is whether they want to become just another statistic or spend the money now, even in these tough times, to try to stay safe. - Judi