Platform Veilig Ondernemen (PVO) supports SME owners across the Netherlands in better protecting themselves against crime, from theft and aggression to cybercrime and criminal interference. PVO works regionally with partners such as municipalities, trade associations and entrepreneur networks, and deliberately chooses an approach that stays close to the entrepreneur: practical, easy to understand, and focused on what business owners really need.
The challenge
For PVO, cyber resilience is mainly about small SMEs: entrepreneurs who often manage their IT themselves or have only limited support. Most of them know they “need to do something about cyber,” but they lack both a sense of personal risk and, especially, a clear course of action: what can I do now, and where do I start?
Objectives:
PVO was looking for (and is building) a growth pathway that helps entrepreneurs progress step by step:
- from awareness to action: not just “knowing it matters,” but also knowing what you can do tomorrow;
- establishing a solid baseline for small SMEs;
- supporting regional advisors with high-quality, proven formats that activate entrepreneurs.
Why CCRC?
PVO connected with CCRC through the (then) Digital Trust Center. The partnership was a strong fit because CCRC brought specialist experience, especially in practicing, asking the right follow-up questions, and providing tailored answers, exactly what entrepreneurs need once they want to take concrete action. PVO also notes that CCRC delivers strong value for money.
The approach
PVO organizes regional sessions, often together with private and public partners such as municipalities, entrepreneur associations and industry groups. CCRC is brought in where practice makes the difference and serves as a strong complement to PVO’s prevention-focused message. CCRC runs interactive sessions in which entrepreneurs don’t just listen—they actively work through scenarios and make choices.
The focus is less on “which tool goes down?” and more on crisis management: who do you call, how do you organize your team, what communications do you need to arrange, when do you involve your IT service provider, and what should you have thought through in advance. The format is deliberately activating (Post-its, working things out together, sharing back as a group), so entrepreneurs go home with recognition and a concrete action list.
The result
For PVO, the value of the collaboration became especially visible in two areas:
- depth and tailored answers: entrepreneurs don’t get a generic talk, but practical help that fits their situation;
- active participants: the sessions really get people thinking—and doing.
After a CCRC session, PVO can offer follow-up support through, for example, a cyber advisory meeting or a deeper check with contracted ethical hackers. Implementing measures always remains the responsibility of the entrepreneur and the market; PVO helps by providing direction and the first steps.
The follow-up
Over the coming years, PVO wants to grow toward a more comprehensive offering, with a clear pathway that helps entrepreneurs move forward: from insight to awareness and action. The next step is to connect cyber more strongly to existing local collaborations. At the same time, the guiding principle remains realistic: first get the basics in order for small SMEs, and only then take the step toward broader supply-chain and ecosystem approaches.