The Cyber Security Council (CSR) has released a new advisory, “Reducing the Cyber Resilience Gap,”
which provides concrete recommendations to the government to strengthen the cyber resilience of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Which provides concrete recommendations to the government to strengthen the cyber resilience of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Challenges for SMEs
Many SMEs are falling behind in terms of cybersecurity due to a lack of knowledge and awareness about cyber threats. According to a study by Deloitte, commissioned by the CSR, entrepreneurs often don’t know how much to invest or which measures to take. The current availability of tools is often unclear and does not always meet the needs of SMEs. A previous article by CCRC further discusses the necessity of ethical hacking to raise SME awareness about cyber threats.
Recommendations from the CSR
The CSR advises a targeted and consistent approach to support SMEs in improving their cyber resilience. This approach should be developed in collaboration with industry organizations and other partnerships. The council proposes establishing a central contact point and knowledge center at the new National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to provide SMEs with targeted advice and support.
Public-private collaboration
A key component of the advice is the development of a network of public-private partnerships. This is an area where CCRC fully aligns with its services. Industry organizations, accountants, and the Chamber of Commerce should play a central role in this network. Additionally, there is a call for the use of secure, readily available ICT solutions and the introduction of a quality certification for ICT suppliers to help entrepreneurs make informed choices.
Stimulus and EU Legislation
The CSR emphasizes the importance of actively encouraging businesses to enhance their cyber resilience. New EU legislation, which holds more companies accountable for their cybersecurity, can contribute to this. Additionally, a broad public campaign is needed to raise awareness among entrepreneurs about the importance of cybersecurity.
Collaboration is essential to closing the cyber resilience gap and creating a safe digital environment. SMEs, governments, industry organizations, and ICT suppliers must collectively tackle this challenge. For more information on the CSR’s advice, read the full article here.
Crucial role of CCRC
At CCRC, we play a crucial role in preparing organizations, including SMEs, against cyberattacks. In developing our services, we work closely with all links in the chain and our partners, forming various collaborations. CCRC’s services are designed so that organizations of all sizes, from very small to large, can benefit from our exercises and solutions. In this way, we are fulfilling the CSR’s recommendations.
CCRC organizes realistic supply chain exercises and provides professional business continuity management. During our interactive Cyber Boost Sessions, entrepreneurs learn from experts and other business owners how to act during a cyber crisis. These sessions offer realistic scenarios and provide practical tools that can be immediately applied within their own organization, helping all businesses strengthen their resilience against cyber threats.