Mastercard and Global Cyber Alliance Release Cyber Security Kit for SMEs

Mastercard has partnered with the Global Cyber Alliance to release a new cyber-security toolkit aimed at small and medium businesses. The toolkit is a free online resource is available worldwide and offers guidance and tools. The GSA claims that around 58% of cyber attacks are targeted against small businesses. These include phishing, malware and ransomeware. According to the OECD, small businesses account for 99 percent of businesses globally, including businesses in the US, EU, and the UK, and for 70% of jobs. This, the GSA believes, makes small businesses a crucial piece in the overall health of the commercial ecosystem. Helping SMEs protect themselves from evolving cyber risks will significantly reduce risk for both the small business and its partners, no matter their size or resources, the two organisations believe. The toolkit will include 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, as well as how-to materials and best practices from leading organisations in the industry. “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.”