MSMEs, women entrepreneurs trained on cybersecurity

The U.S. Consulate General Kolkata and Consumer Unity & Trust Society (CUTS) International, in collaboration with Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) and YouthNet Incubation Centre (YIC), organized a daylong workshop on April 4 at Youth Net office, Kohima, for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and Women Entrepreneurs to identify and combat cybersecurity threats and become cyber-resilient.

In a press statement by CUTS international it was informed that CUTS international, Senior Programme officer Sukanta Biswas in the welcome address stressed that adoption of digital technologies have accelerated due to the COVID-19 pandemic and many MSMEs went online without the required understanding and safeguards to combat cyber-attacks, rendering them vulnerable. He said: “The workshop would equip the entrepreneurs with the basic understanding of the possible ways of cyber-attacks and methods to combat the threats.”

He added that the training would help the entrepreneurs to combat at least 70 percent of the cyber-attacks. Additional director, Software technology parks of India(STPI), GOI Abhishek Mishra in a special address highlighted that currently, cyber security is the lowest priority for SMEs and that can bring vulnerability to the entire ecosystem of the SME sector. STPI is working to build SME networks across the country and provide opportunities to SMEs to promote them globally.

Deputy Director of the American Center and Assistant Public Affairs Officer, US Consulate General Kolkata Juan Clar, said, “Cybersecurity is one of the top challenges that countries, companies and individuals face in the twenty first century. It is very important that entrepreneurs of all backgrounds know how to identify and mitigate cybersecurity risk.”.

He further added that “U.S. and India have become closer strategic partners in many areas and cybersecurity is one of them.”
Youthnet director ,Nuneseno Chase and Assistant director industry and commerce Lhoushevikho Lhoushe also delivered short speeches.

Participants, mostly women entrepreneurs from more than 50 enterprises, participated in the workshop.
It had also been informed that the U.S. Consulate General Kolkata is supporting the initiative across the East and Northeast India to support the region’s capacity to cope with the growing threat of cyber-crimes for small businesses, especially those led by women entrepreneurs.