The Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) once again warns of a critical, but hopeless cybersecurity situation in Germany: a significant increase in new malware, increased threats from ransomware and data leaks, but also increased resilience through international cooperation and development. security measures identifying management report image 2024.
Ransomware attacks in particular remain the biggest threat to German companies. In addition to large companies, the focus is increasingly on small and medium-sized companies. The costs for companies are increasing significantly: in the third quarter of 2023, the average ransom amount paid after ransomware attacks was $850,000. Another worrying trend is the increase in malware, with an average of 309,000 new variants registered per day – an increase of 26 percent compared to the same period last year. Despite these developments, improved international cooperation is beginning to have positive effects, such as the successful number of international ransomware groups. It was also possible to further develop IT security and crisis prevention standards for operators of critical infrastructures (KRITIS).
The cybersecurity situation remains difficult for the 3.1 million medium-sized companies in Germany. Smaller companies in particular, which often do not have their own IT staff and whose IT security activities are limited by time or cost reasons, are often unable to implement basic security measures. Many medium-sized companies lack awareness of the current risks and their own security risk.
The cyber risk assessment as a new standard for medium-sized businesses in Germany
To provide targeted therapy here, Der Mittelstand. BVMW developed the CyberRisk Check in collaboration with the BSI – a standard designed specifically for the needs of small businesses and micro-enterprises and from the project funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK ) in the “IT Security in “IT-grade secure” business enterprise was created. The study is conducted in a structured interview with a certified IT service provider and provides companies with solid recommendations for action to improve their cybersecurity. Participation is financially supported by funding programs at the federal and state levels and offers mid-sized companies an important foundation for their IT security strategy.
“With the cyber risk analysis, we have created real added value for medium-sized businesses,” says Marc Dönges, project manager at the Cybersecurity Transition Office for medium-sized businesses. “Especially the simple and time-efficient one
Application makes it easier for companies to get started on cybersecurity.” In addition, the Cybersecurity Transfer Office in medium-sized businesses supports small companies with additional offers: The CYBERsicher Check, a free online tool, helps with an initial self-assessment to In CYBER personal conversations, companies also receive individual recommendations for action and thus can receive targeted protection measures.
More information about the cybersecurity transition office for medium-sized businesses can be found here: www.transferstelle-cybersicherheit.de
About the transition office for cybersecurity in mid-sized businesses
The goal of the funding project is to increase the level of cybersecurity of small and medium-sized companies, craft businesses and start-ups for a secure digital transformation through prevention, detection and response. Through information and certification formats, several events across the country, a detection and response platform for cyber attacks and a wide network of partners, we want to raise the level of cybersecurity in medium-sized businesses and make companies more resilient. The project is carried out by Der Mittelstand, BVMW eV, FZI Research Center for Computer Science, Leibniz University Hannover – Institute for Vocational and Adult Education and the tti Technology Transfer and Innovation Promotion Magdeburg GmbH.
The Mittelstand-Digital network offers extensive support for digitization with the Mittelstand-Digital Centers, the IT Security Initiative in Business and Digital Now. Small and medium-sized companies benefit from concrete practical examples and tailor-made, vendor-neutral offers for certification and IT security. The Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Protection enables free use and provides financial subsidies. For more information, see www.mittelstand-digital.de.
About the society.
The middle class. BVMW eV is the largest, politically independent and cross-industry interest group for medium-sized businesses in Germany.
More information at: www.bvmw.de
2024-11-12 23:29:00
#High #cyber #risk #small #mediumsized #companies #Germany #progress #resilience #support #services
