Cyber Brigade: Free emergency call in case of cyber attack for companies
The ever-increasing digitisation of the approximately 700,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in North Rhine-Westphalia simultaneously increases their risk of vulnerability. SMEs often do not have a sufficient IT security concept – this is not only due to the lack of skilled workers in the ITS sector, but also because the budget for supposedly expensive ITS measures is often too small.
Yet nine out of ten companies in Germany were affected by cyber attacks between mid-2020 and mid-2021. This caused damage to the German economy amounting to more than 220 billion euros.
This is precisely where eurobits e.V. from Bochum wants to start.
Within the framework of a publicly funded pilot project, the association is building a cyber defence. This cyber defence is modelled on (volunteer) fire brigades in its mode of operation and structure. The aim is to position and establish the cyber defence as the first point of contact and emergency call for cyber emergencies at SMEs. In the event of an emergency, it should quickly and efficiently ward off the dangers and limit damage. To this end, the cyber defence mediates qualified service providers in case of emergency.
Funding is available for the pilot project from the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Innovation, Digitalisation and Energy of the State of NRW (MWIDE) as part of RegioCall EFRE.NRW. The Cyberwehr will initially be launched in the cities of Bochum, Essen and Gelsenkirchen. Subsequently, with the acquisition of further funding, it is to expand its operations to the entire Ruhr region, before operation throughout North Rhine-Westphalia is planned for the third phase.
The Cyberwehr is also supported by secunet Security Networks AG and the business journalist Jürgen Berke.
If you would also like to support the Cyberwehr together with eurobits e.V. and our project partners, please contact us at cyberwehr@eurobits.de. We look forward to seeing you!
This project is supported by:
eurobits is funded by:
