The economic damage caused by inadequate digital security, such as the loss of data or trade secrets, is immense. Nevertheless, according to a recent study, more than half of all companies in North Rhine-Westphalia have no emergency plan in the event of cyber attacks.
NRW – Almost a fifth took no precautions at all. That is why the state government, chambers, industry associations and networks today in Bochum agreed on the “Wirtschaft.Digital.Sicher NRW” initiative with 13 joint projects. The aim is to strengthen IT security and resilience in the North Rhine-Westphalian economy and to support companies in using digital technologies securely.
Minister Neubaur: “Cyber security concerns every company, the management as well as the employees. For more digital security in the economy, we are joining forces in North Rhine-Westphalia and are sending a strong signal hand in hand. Together we offer assistance for the digital space where it is urgently needed. This includes financial support, free advice and networking. I would like to thank all partner organizations for the intensive cross-industry and cross-departmental cooperation and invite all companies: Find out more, take advantage of the offers and strengthen your digital defenses.”
Economics Minister Mona Neubaur also announced that the contract with “DIGITAL.SICHER.NRW”, the state center of competence for cyber security in business, will be extended by another three years until the end of 2026. The competence center coordinates the new initiative and controls the implementation of the measures.
Sebastian Barchnicki, spokesman for the management of DIGITAL.SICHER.NRW: “Although many technical problems have already been solved, there is no comprehensive use of cyber security measures – especially in medium-sized companies. The big challenge is to give every company in NRW assistance in implementing simple but effective cyber security measures – practical and understandable. This is exactly where the “Wirtschaft.Digital.Sicher NRW” initiative comes in.
According to the latest results of the study “CYBERSECURITY IN NRW – Facts about IT security in companies”, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in particular lag behind larger ones: They are less competent when it comes to cyber security and at the same time less willing to invest in this area . Although employees in North Rhine-Westphalia feel digitally secure, only about a third rate their own competence with regard to IT security as high or very high; only about half are informed about emergency measures in their own company.
The “Wirtschaft.Digital.Sicher NRW” initiative includes the following measures:
Practice-oriented measures for small and medium-sized companies:
- Funding program MID-Digitale Sicherheit: Funding of IT security measures in companies with up to 15,000 euros from state funds. Around 600 companies have so far made use of state funding. The state has already provided more than seven million euros for this.
- Digital security checklist for bosses
- Risk impact assessment “cyber attack” for SMEs
- IT emergency planning templates and micro/small business emergency cards
- Digital security for founders: Cyber security for young companies and their business models
Competences and information on the topic of digital security on site:
Digital Security Roadshow: On-site information on current security challenges and effective protective measures. Events are planned in all districts and urban districts until 2026.
- Regional cyber security advice and contact points as well as multiplier training
- Information offensive on new company-related requirements from the NIS2 directive (directive on measures for a high common level of cyber security in the European Union)
Strategic measures for more cyber security and resilience in the economy in North Rhine-Westphalia:
- Nationwide visibility campaign “Door to the Net!”: Raising awareness of IT security in companies (launched in May 2023)
- CISO (Chief Information Security Officer) Network NRW: Development of a state-wide network of IT security officers
- eurobits women academy (ewa): Initiative for more female IT security professionals
- Development of a framework for a “NRW basic package for digital security for small and medium-sized enterprises”
More information about the initiative can be found at: https://www.wirtschaft-digital-sicher.nrw
The partners of “Wirtschaft.Digital.Sicher NRW”:
- Cyber Security Alliance
- North Rhine Medical Association
- Alliance for Security in Business West e. V
- Bitkom e. V.
- Cyber Security Cluster Bonn e. V.
- DEHOGA North Rhine-Westphalia e. V
- eurobits e. V. – European Competence Center for IT Security
- Trade Association of North Rhine-Westphalia e. V
- IHK NRW – The Chambers of Industry and Commerce in North Rhine-Westphalia e. V
- North Rhine Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians
- regionen.NRW
- Savings Banks Association of Westphalia-Lippe
- Teletrust – Bundesverband IT-Sicherheit e. V
- unternehmer nrw – State Association of Business Associations North Rhine-Westphalia e. V
- Association of German mechanical and plant engineering (vdma) e. V. North Rhine-Westphalia
- Association of Liberal Professions NRW e. V
- VOICE – Federal Association of IT Users e. V
- Association of Business Promotion and Development Societies in North Rhine-Westphalia e. V
- West German Chamber of Crafts (WHKT)
- Association of the Electrical and Digital Industry NRW (ZVEI) e. V. (opm)
2023-08-12 18:04:27
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