Small and medium-sized enterprises throughout Scotland are being given the chance to enlist the services of an industry expert to help protect against cyber crime.
Firms can apply for a voucher worth up to £1,500 under the scheme, giving them one-to-one access with a cyber security specialist to help devise a strategy.
The initiative is being rolled out by Scottish Enterprise (SE), Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), Business Gateway and Cosla under the umbrella of the Digital Scotland Business Excellence Partnership.
A total of 80 applications have already been made, leaving another 120 vouchers available.
SE project manager Paul Foley said: “All citizens and businesses are a potential target of a cyber attack, particularly if they do not take some simple precautionary measures to protect themselves.
“Any company that relies on computerised systems for payroll, marketing via social media or a website, booking systems, databases of customer details, including payment details, or any intellectual property or patent information that could be of value is at risk.
“A business does not need to be specifically targeted to become a victim; cyber criminals constantly scan websites, systems and devices to detect vulnerabilities.
“If you are not taking the appropriate steps, you will flag up as an easy target during this scanning process.”
To be eligible for a voucher, SMEs have to be based in Scotland and have a relationship with Business Gateway, HIE or SE.
The application can be accessed via business contacts at these three organisations. The deadline for applications is January 2017.
A survey by the Federation of Small Businesses found three out of 10 of its members have been victims of cyber crime, with the total cost to the UK economy estimated at £27billion a year.
