Delivering effective cyber protection to small businesses
In an increasingly digital world, small businesses are under constant pressure to ensure the safety, trustworthiness and security of their operations. This often has to be achieved with limited resources, along with a shortage of expertise and trained personnel. To address these challenges, the EU-funded PUZZLE project set out to develop and make available cybersecurity tools targeted specifically at SMEs. The goal was to ensure that even the smallest SME would have access to tools to effectively monitor, forecast, assess and manage their cyber risks. “We wanted to create a usable cybersecurity, privacy and data protection management framework,” explains PUZZLE project coordinator Stylianos Kazazis from UBITECH in Cyprus. “This would provide access, for example, to facilities for online collaboration and knowledge sharing between businesses, and the creation of threat intelligence reports based on data analysis using artificial intelligence (AI).”
Online marketplace for cybersecurity tools
Central to this concept was the development of an online marketplace, where cybersecurity tools targeted specifically at SMEs can be developed and accessed. The PUZZLE solution was also designed to be active and responsive. AI-enhanced capabilities ensure that relationships between cyber assets can be tracked, risks efficiently calculated, and appropriate mitigation actions recommended and applied. “We wanted to prioritise the well-being of end users, as well as the integrity of the data,” says Kazazis. To test the PUZZLE marketplace, a community of early adopters was established. This provided SMEs dealing with cybersecurity, privacy and personal data protection issues with a set of tools and solutions, addressed to their specific needs and available resources. Interested parties were invited to present their ideas on how the PUZZLE marketplace could benefit them. Successful applicants then detailed how certain PUZZLE components and services had been utilised, providing valuable feedback on their applicability, usability, effectiveness and value under real-life conditions.
Benefits of ‘security-as-a-service’ framework
The PUZZLE solution was successfully demonstrated across 17 use-case scenarios. These experiences underlined the potential of this holistic, ‘security-as-a-service’ framework in creating solutions for SMEs in need of cybersecurity assistance. An extensive evaluation of the usability and usefulness of the marketplace was also performed. “Through continuous risk assessment, we showed that the PUZZLE solution provides an up-to-date view of all potential threats that need to be swiftly mitigated,” adds Kazazis. “The system also allows for adaptable responses to evolving security challenges. Machine learning-based intrusion detection enhances the platform’s proactive defence capabilities.”
Trustworthy digital environment in the EU
The PUZZLE marketplace, incorporating all components and services, is almost ready for market implementation. To make this a reality, and to expand the solution’s functionalities even further, a follow-on project is envisaged. “We believe that the PUZZLE solution can boost Europe’s cybersecurity industry, through the development of ready-to-use, easy-to-deploy and easy-to-onboard services,” he says. “Our platform will help create a fertile ecosystem for start-ups, and lead to the development of products and services that reach the market.” Over the long term, Kazazis and his team hope that the project will contribute to the creation of a trustworthy digital environment in the EU, which benefits all citizens and businesses, whatever their size.
Keywords
PUZZLE, cyber, security, cybersecurity, digital, AI, data
