Cyber security resources, grants available to SMEs

We thank Mr Leonard Poh for his letter “SMEs need more resources to tackle cyber attacks” (May 22).

The Government recognises that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are vulnerable and is committed to helping them tackle cyber threats.

We work with trade associations and chambers to help their members tap grants and resources to develop their cyber security capabilities.

Through the Cyber Security Awareness Alliance, the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) works with representatives from the public and private sectors, including the Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, to reach out to SMEs to promote the awareness and adoption of cyber security practices.

Cyber security health clinics, talks and conferences are held regularly.

Resources are made available at www.csa.gov.sg/gosafeonline.

SMEs can seek help from CSA’s SingCert if they encounter cyber incidents and can also sign up for alerts and advisories at www.csa.gov.sg/singcert on how to pre-empt them.

As part of the Infocomm Media Development Authority’s SMEs Go Digital Programme, which aims to help them digitalise to meet new challenges, they can tap the SME Digital Tech Hub for specialist technology advice, including cyber security needs and data analytics.

The Digital Tech Hub is slated to open later this year.

To enhance their cyber resilience, it is important that SMEs incorporate cyber security as a business risk and put in place the necessary measures to prevent an attack.

In the event that they fall victim to attacks, they should have procedures in place to resume operations quickly.

It is also important that companies build a strong cyber security culture in the workplace.

They can refer to www.csa.gov.sg/gosafeonline/resources/employee-cyber-security-kit to select a programme that meets their needs.

Cyber security is a collective responsibility. With cyber threats increasing in frequency and scale, as seen in the recent global ransomware attacks, we must act now.

We can keep our cyberspace safe and reap the benefits of technology only when everyone plays a part.