Background:
Technology advancement has helped businesses, specifically micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) with better access to market and opportunities and increase in their efficiencies. MSMEs in India are increasingly using online and digital tools for their businesses and access newer markets. But, the impressive growth in the adoption of digital technologies by businesses with low cybersecurity awareness and prioritisation is making them an easy target for cybercriminals. Especially MSME in tier II cities may be highly vulnerable to such cybersecurity risks. MSMEs often don’t offer much importance to Cyber Security, as most of them think that the risk of data hackers affects only large enterprises. However, MSMEs are the backbone of the economy, they should be aware of the security-related issues which are going to harm the data/privacy of Enterprises.
The current initiative will be instrumental in:
- Identifying cybersecurity needs of MSMEs based on their usage of digital technologies;
- Assessing challenges faced by them to effectively use cybersecurity tools;
- Designing appropriate strategies to help them benefit from cybersecurity tools; and
- Collating and disseminating best practices of cybersecurity for MSMEs to safely navigate the digital space.
CUTS would organise capacity-building workshops in Ranchi, Patna, and Guwahati for MSMEs on cyber security and protection to enhance their understanding, and capacitate them on cyber risks. Additionally, the workshops would equip them with tools and strategies to deal with cyber threats. Each workshop would target participants from MSMEs, representatives from business chambers, academicians, policymakers, and media, etc.
Supported by U. S. Consulate General, Kolkata
About Project
Goals and Objectives
The goal of the project is to-
- Empower and capacitate MSMEs to safely navigate the digital space and mitigate cybersecurity risks.
Objective:
The overall objective of the project is to –
- Create a network and platform for cross-learning between experts in US and India.
- Generate awareness about cybersecurity risks and available tools to mitigate cyber risks.
- Facilitate interaction among stakeholders within the knowledge network, on a sustainable basis to interact on the use of cybersecurity tools, even beyond the project’s timeline.
Project Activity:
The project will be implemented in three phases:-
CUTS International
Established in 1983, Consumer Unity & Trust Society (CUTS International) is a non-profit non-governmental organization, engaged in promoting consumer sovereignty in the framework of social justice, economic equality and environmental balance, within and across borders. It is a leading Southern voice working on three verticals: Rules-based trade; Effective regulation; and Good governance. More information is available here: http://www.cuts-international.org/pdf/Programme_Brochure.pdf
CUTS operate out of 14 Centers spread across India, Africa, South East Asia, Europe and USA. More information is available here: http://www.cuts-international.org.
CUTS Calcutta Resource Center (CUTS CRC) is leading the implementation of the alongwith CUTS Centre for Competition, Investment, and Economic Regulation (CUTS CCIER). More details available at (https://www.cuts-crc.org/) and http://www.cuts-ccier.org/).
Expected Outcomes
- Improved capacity of MSMEs on cybersecurity and equip enterprises to adopt internet and digital tools for their businesses.
- Contribute to the Digital India Campaign platform to address key issues of e-commerce, entrepreneurship, cyber risks, challenges and opportunities
- Encourage and inform MSMEs to adopt best practices of cybersecurity.
Research Outputs/Event
- Cybersecurity challenges for Indian MSMEs
Briefing Paper
- Awareness Generation Program on Cybersecurity for Business in Patna
December 17, 2021 - Cyber Safe East India – Workshop on Cyber Security for E- Business – Guwahati, Assam
October 22, 2021 - Cyber Safe East India – Workshop on Cyber Security for E- Business, September 23, 2021, Ranchi, Jharkhand
September 23, 2021 - Cyber Safe East India – Workshop on Cyber Security for E- Business, Patna, Bihar
September 16, 2021 - CUTS Webinar “Cyber Safety Best Practices for MSMEs”
February 18, 2021
Events
Key Resource Group*
| Name | About Him/her (Short Biography)
|
Country |
| Rahul Sharma | Country Leader, India International Association of Privacy Professionals New Delhi, (Previously he was associated with the Data Security Council of India) | India |
| Deepak Maheshwari | Independent Consultant (He played a prominent role in public policy for various companies like Symantec / Norton, LifeLock Master Card, Microsoft and Sify) | India |
| Ajay Data | Founder & CEO and Managing Director of Data Group of Industries. | India |
| Aditya Kumar Sinha | Director & Centre Head, C-DAC Patna. Twenty-Seven years of progressive and successful experience in providing strategic and operational leadership, worked with National Research Lab, Premier National Institute and IT organizations. | India |
| Saket Jha | Project Engineer, C-DAC Patna. Previously associated with Lingayas University, Faridabad & Naraina Vidyapeeth as Assistant Professor. | India |
| V M Jha | Director, MSME Development Institute, Patna. He was associated with different MSME Development institutes all over the country in different capacities. | India |
| Dr. S K Sahoo | Director, Ministry of MSME, Government of India. A dynamic officer who has contributed and contributing to the MSME-DI institutes in different level on a time to time basis. | India |
| Madhukar Bhurle | Assistant Director, MSME-DI, Guwahati, Assam. Helps MSME’s in their development. | India |
| Lessie Longstreet | Global Director of Outreach and Partner Engagement at Cyber Readiness Institute. Previously associated with Nisos as ProgramManager and Communication coordinator and with E3 Solutions Envision as Program Manager. | United States of America |
| Biswajit Chakraborty | Director, North-East Advisory Council, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Guwahati, Assam. A Professional involved in industry and regional economic development, in India’s northeast for over two decades. He has extensive experience of working with Government agencies, multi-lateral agencies and the private sector with a focus on public policy, investment promotion, and regional trade. | India |
| Dr. Ferdous Ahmed Barbhuiya | Associate Professor, Department of CSE and Associate Dean (Research & Development), Indian Institute of Information Technology Guwahati. He has completed his BE from Jorhat Engineering College under Dibrugarh University followed by MTech and PhD from IIT Guwahati. Prior to joining IIIT Guwahati, Worked as a Lead Engineer in Global Logic Inc. from 2007 to 2009. Also worked as a Scientific officer at IIT Guwahati from 2002 to 2007. Beyond academics and research, he has also active in consulting for Industry and Government. | India |
| Mukesh Kumar | Chairman, IT & ITeS and Service Sector, Bihar Industries Association. He is also the owner of an Information Technology company M/s. R.G. Software &Systems. | India |
| Usha Jha | President, Mahila Udyog Sangh, Bihar.Petals Craft founder Usha Jha’s attempts to create her own identity have led to the financial empowerment of hundreds of women and Petals Craft in patna is the place to explore for Madhubani handicrafts. | India |
| Alok Tripathi | Director, National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology (NIELIT). He is now Associated with Tech & Chief Controller of Examination NIELIT Head Quarters Dwarka, New Delhi as Head of Department. | India |
Media
- BIA: An awareness program on the topic ‘Cyber Security for Business’
Navrashtra Media, December 17, 2021 - US Consulate General joins hands with CUTS International to combat cyber security threats in Northeast’s MSMEs
NENOW, October 22, 2021 - Cyber security aid for MSMEs by US consulate general and NGO
Telegraph India, September 25, 2021 - US, India cyber dialogues to help mitigate cyber threats for Indian MSMEs: CUTS International
KNN India, February 20, 2021
Glimpses
- Cyber Safe East India – Workshop on Cyber Security for E- Business, October 22, Guwahati, Assam
- Cyber Safe East India – Workshop on Cyber Security for E- Business, September 23, 2021, Ranchi, Jharkhand
- Cyber Safe East India – Workshop on Cyber Security for E- Business, September 16, 2021, Patna, Bihar
Contact Us
CONSUMER UNITY & TRUST SOCIETY (CUTS)
D–217, Bhaskar Marg, Bani Park, Jaipur 302016, Rajasthan, India
Ph: +91 141-2282821/22/23
Fax: +91 141 2282485
Email: cuts@cuts.org
For any immediate assistance related to this project, please contact Mr. Arnab Ganguly: +91 9874410391; Mr. Kapil Gupta: +91 99603 99211; Mr. Sumanta Biswas: +91 9735621680