Acer Cyber Security Inc. (ACSI), a subsidiary under tech conglomerate Acer, has recently introduced a groundbreaking cybersecurity self-assessment toolkit tailored explicitly for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
The primary intent behind this formidable toolkit is to establish an initial line of defense against the ever-expanding threats of cyber-attacks that continue to encroach upon these businesses.
Micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) occupy a pivotal position within economies, contributing substantially by way of employment generation, tax revenue, innovation promotion, and cultivating a diversified and dynamic economic landscape.
They form the backbone of the Philippine economic framework, constituting an impressive 99% of all commercial entities within the country. These businesses employ 63% of the nation’s workforce and, notably, account for 40% of the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
However, it is worth mentioning that MSMEs have grappled with the challenges posed by cybersecurity vulnerabilities in recent years. Jason Chen, the Chairman and CEO of Acer, mentioned that an alarming 43% of cyber assaults target MSMEs, and an even more unsettling 60% of these entities fall for these ransomware attacks.
This concerning state of affairs was a driving force behind ACSI’s decision to extend a cybersecurity toolkit, at no cost, to the MSME sector.
Aligned with Acer’s overarching commitment to bolster the stability and evolution of economies for MSMEs, Jason Chen emphasized Acer’s intent to empower MSMEs across diverse economies. This is by making accessible ACSI’s cybersecurity self-assessment toolkit, an instrumental resource capable of substantially enhancing the cybersecurity posture of these enterprises.
The launch of this cost-effective, user-friendly toolkit marks a pivotal stride toward cultivating a more secure digital environment for MSMEs. In line with Acer’s dedication to corporate social responsibility and the pursuit of sustainable practices, the advent of this cybersecurity self-assessment toolkit is anticipated to significantly contribute to the augmentation of MSMEs’ conflicts pertaining to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) benchmarks.
Jason Chen underscored Acer’s willingness to collaborate with governments in fortifying the cybersecurity of MSMEs. He stressed the significance of these enterprises identifying their systemic vulnerabilities as the primary step towards bolstering their cybersecurity posture. Although the ACSI cybersecurity toolkit may not be infallible, it serves as a crucial preliminary measure in the quest to safeguard the systems of MSMEs.
Additionally, Jason Chen mentioned Acer’s plans for a more sustainable future.
In fact, he confidently wants to push other consumer electronics manufacturers to follow suit with Acer’s goals.
These include the promise to use 100% recycled metal and plastic within their products.
On the plastics side, they presented us with a proof of concept, in the Acer Vero laptop. All the plastics use to make this model is actually made out of Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) material; Which they claim reduced 25% of carbon emissions for the production of the Vero.
Acer has, if not, plan to partner with 3rd party agencies in the Philippines and across Southeast Asia to ensure proper Acer product disposal.
For MSMEs seeking to fortify their first line of defense against cyber threats, the cybersecurity self-assessment toolkit can be obtained free of charge via the following link: https://sat.acercsi.com/.
This initiative is poised to empower MSMEs in their journey towards fortified cybersecurity, ultimately fostering their growth and resilience in against the most common cyber-security hacks.
