New Tool is another step towards securing the Digital Future of SMEs

According to the European Commission’s data, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) constitute 99% of all businesses in the EU and employ around 100 million people. In order to overcome the challenges imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic many SMEs applied new business continuity measures and turned to new technologies such as adopting to cloud services, upgrading their internet services, improving their websites, and enabling staff to work remotely.

Although SMEs have turned to new technologies, they often fail to raise the level of their security, mainly due to the lack of funding and cybersecurity guidelines. The European Union Agency for Cybersecurity is providing continuous support to SMEs.

In doing so the “SecureSME” Tool has been created as a means to raise awareness and help SMEs become digitally secure. The “SecureSME’’ tool is a one-stop shop for European SMEs, which provides related cybersecurity recommendations, guidelines and tips in a simplistic and user friendly manner. The goal of the tool is to support those businesses in securing their ICT services and infrastructure from cyberattacks and ensure business continuity.

The tool will be presented and become directly accessible to the public on the 8^th September 2021, within the framework of the International Cybersecurity Forum (FIC 2021) in Lille, France. ENISA is an active participant to the fair dedicated to public and private cybersecurity operators, by running an awareness campaign dedicated to SMEs.

What is the “SecureSME” Tool?

Cybersecurity doesn’t necessarily have to be costly for SMEs to implement and maintain. There are several measures that can be implemented, without having to invest a large amount.

ENISA’s ‘’SecureSME Tool’’ is a dedicated platform designed to support small and medium size businesses in their efforts to become digitally secure. This is achieved through the provision of practical and concise cyber tips and guidelines on how to secure ICT infrastructure.

The “SecureSME’’ tool presents the following main sections of particular interest to SMEs:

• Cyber tips that include instructions on how to:
  • Protect Employees
  • Enhance Processes
  • Strengthen technical measures
  • Overcome Covid19 issues
• Videos
• Guidelines in relation to SME cybersecurity published by ENISA and Member States’ National Authorities
• EU H2020 related projects

Background

“SecureSME’’ tool comes as the next step following the publication of the “Cybersecurity for SMEs” report by ENISA last June. The report provides SMEs with advice on how to successfully cope with cybersecurity challenges, particularly those resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition to the report, ENISA also published a short cybersecurity guide in the form of a leaflet: “12 steps to securing your business”, which provides SMEs with practical high-level actions to better secure their systems and hence their businesses. The short cybersecurity guide, which is also accessible via the “SecureSME” Tool, is now translated in the following languages:  Czech, German, Greek, Spanish, French, Italian, Latvian, Polish, Portuguese and Romanian.

Further Information

• Cybersecurity for SMEs – Challenges and Recommendations
• Cybersecurity guide for SMEs
• ENISA topic: Cybersecurity for SMEs
• European SMEs facing increased cyber threats in changing digital landscape
• Workshop on the ENISA Report - Cybersecurity for SMEs: Challenges and Recommendations
• Guidelines for SMEs on the security of personal data processing
• Tips for selecting and using online communication tools
• Tips for cybersecurity when buying and selling online
• Tips for cybersecurity when working from home
• Top ten cyber hygiene tips for SMEs during covid-19 pandemic
• Transatlantic Cybersecurity Checklist

Press Contact

For questions related to the press and interviews, please contact press (at) enisa.europa.eu