The Global Cyber Alliance (GCA) and Mastercard today released a new Cybersecurity Toolkit specifically designed for small and medium businesses. This free online resource is available worldwide and offers actionable guidance and tools with clear directions to combat the increasing volume of cyberattacks.
Some estimates indicate that 58 percent of cyberattacks are targeted against small businesses. These attacks include phishing, malware and ransomware – all of which can have devastating financial consequences. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD):
- Small businesses account for 99 percent of businesses globally, including businesses in the US, EU, and the UK.
- Small businesses account for 70 percent of jobs, on average.
- Small businesses generate more than half of the value added by most economies.
Resourcing small businesses with tools to protect themselves from ever-evolving cyber risks not only strengthens their individual businesses but also supports the health of the entire commercial ecosystem, including governments and larger companies. Helping these small businesses be more secure by taking a few reasonable steps will significantly reduce risk for both the small business and its partners, no matter their size or resources.
The GCA Cybersecurity Toolkit arms small business owners with basic security controls and guidance, including:
- Operational tools that help them take inventory of their cyber-related assets, create and maintain strong passwords, use multi-factor authentication, perform backups of critical data, prevent phishing and viruses, and more
- How-to materials, such as template policies and forms, training videos, and other foundational documents they can customize for their organizations
- Recognized best practices from leading organizations in the industry including the Center for Internet Security Controls, the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre Cyber Essentials, the Australian Cyber Security Centre’s Essential Eight, and Mastercard
“What sets the Global Cyber Alliance Cybersecurity Toolkit apart is that it is an action kit,” said Philip Reitinger, president and CEO of Global Cyber Alliance. “Our focus is on producing a dynamic clearinghouse of operational tools that help small and medium businesses address risk and improve their cybersecurity posture, leveraging the deep expertise of our network of global partners, such as Mastercard, and the experiences of actual GCA toolkit users.”
