Launch of BSecure scheme – Government will be investing €250,000
Parliamentary Secretary for Financial Services, Digital Economy and Innovation Silvio Schembri last week launched the BSecure Scheme aimed at helping the private sector to step up its game and be prepared for cyber threats.
“As a government we sought to invest €250,000 in this scheme which will serve as a golden opportunity for businesses to educate their personnel, evaluate, plan and enhance their Cyber Security posture,” said Schembri.
He explained that, in view of the everchanging landscape where cybersecurity threats are constantly evolving, one of the main priorities is to ensure the security of our economy.
“Beefing up our cyber security profile is not only our collective responsibility but also in everyone’s best interest. This will ultimately place Malta in a better position when it comes to cyber security preparedness. Understandably, this will not be attained through a onetime exercise, but this scheme can serve as the basis for further strengthening. Malta is now renowned for its advancements in the application of innovative technologies; our aim is to safeguard our cyber space and, in the process, ensure that Malta will be held in high regard by other countries in the security domain,” added Schembri.
He explained that this scheme would provide training sessions, conduct risk assessments and provide consultancy in cyber security.
“Local businesses will be receiving consultancy and risk assessments thus such commonality and equivalency in the methodology will be beneficial for Malta. I thank MITA, Chamber of Commerce and Acronis for being part of this much-anticipated scheme.
Tony Sultana, MITA’s Executive chairman, said that everyone is aware of the impact cyber security incidents can have on today’s digitally dependant economies especially on businesses whose online and digital presence is fundamental for their successful operation.
“In view of this global new scenario, over these last years, MITA has embarked on an ambitious programme to protect the ICT infrastructure of the government, by training our human capital, invest in specialised security tools and re-strengthen our policies and processes.
We are now extending the cyber security awareness to the private sector. Through the B Secure Scheme, the private industry can apply for assistance to assess the posture of its digital assets against the latest cyber security threats and further train its workforce, giving them the possibility to earn certifications recognised worldwide in the cyber security domain. We are committed towards enhancing on a national level a robust cyber security nation,” Sultana said.
Vice-president for Acronis Cloud Europe & Middle East Bertil Brendeke explained that the volume and sophistication of ransomware attacks has risen steadily over the past few years, becoming one of the most pervasive and expensive online criminal threats in history. The quick detection and termination of a ransomware attack is important.
“The faster the threat is shut down, the less time it has to destroy files by encrypting them. Restoring any ransomware-encrypted files is a useful technique, but its effectiveness depends on how frequently you perform backups. Organised criminal gangs have mimicked the business and technology models of the legitimate software-as-a-service industry, making it increasingly easy for lowskilled operators to get into the business of distributing and profiting from ransomware and that is why awareness on those tactics and training of all employees is key,” said Brendeke.
“No business is too small to be at risk of a cyber security attack,” said Hugh Arrigo, vice president of the Malta Chamber. Arrigo noted how each year global media were reporting increases in cyber-attacks around the world and how Maltese companies were not immune to these hacks. “The B Secure Scheme will provide private industry with the necessary assistance to leverage its cyber security posture.”
Further information can be found on www.cybersecurity.gov.mt/bsecure