Acer Cyber Security Inc. (ACSI), a subsidiary of the tech giant company Acer, recently unveiled a groundbreaking cybersecurity self-assessment toolkit tailored for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). This powerful toolkit aims to serve as the initial line of defense against the growing threat of cyber-attacks faced by these businesses.

Micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) play a crucial role in the economy, providing employment opportunities, contributing to tax revenue, stimulating innovation, and fostering a diverse and vibrant economic landscape. MSMEs are the backbone of the Philippine economy. They account for 99% of all businesses in the country, employ 63% of the workforce, and contribute 40% to the country's GDP.

However, MSMEs have encountered cybersecurity challenges in the past years. Jason Chen, Chairman and CEO of Acer, said that 43% of cyberattacks target MSMEs, and 60% of MSMEs collapse due to ransomware. This is one of the reasons why ACSI decided to give a cybersecurity toolkit to MSMEs for free.

In alignment with Acer's commitment to support MSMEs and contribute to the stability and development of economies, Jason Chen said Acer aims to empower MSMEs across different economies by offering them access to ACSI's cybersecurity self-assessment toolkit, which can significantly enhance their cybersecurity posture.

During the third APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) meeting in Cebu, Chen highlighted the toolkit's significance for MSMEs and showcased its capabilities in identifying and mitigating potential cybersecurity risks.

CY Huang, Technology Vice President of ACSI, said the comprehensive toolkit incorporates cutting-edge technology to assess and detect critical vulnerabilities in MSMEs' systems. Among its functionalities, the toolkit can effectively detect malware, misconfigurations, unsafe accounts, missing security updates, and suspicious activities that may indicate intrusion attempts or malicious software presence.

ACSI is a cybersecurity company with a broad range of expertise, providing technical services and consultancy to various industries, including government agencies, financial securities, insurance, manufacturing, logistics, and e-commerce. The company boasts a state-of-the-art Security Operation Center (SOC) that delivers exceptional prevention, monitoring, and response services, bolstering the resilience of enterprise operations.

Launching this cost-effective and user-friendly toolkit marks a crucial step towards fostering a safer digital landscape for MSMEs. As part of Acer's ongoing commitment to corporate social responsibility and sustainable practices, the availability of this cybersecurity self-assessment toolkit is expected to contribute significantly to the enhancement of MSMEs' Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) efforts.

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Photo shows: Mr. Manuel Wong (right), Managing Director of Acer Philippines, updates members of the Media about the 20th-anniversary celebration of Acer in the Philippines.  Also in the photo are (from left) Sue Ong-Lim, General Manager of Acer Philippines, CY Huang, Technology Vice President of Acer Cybersecurity Inc. (ACSI), and Jason Chen, Chairman and CEO of Acer.

Jason Chen also said Acer is willing to work with governments to secure MSMEs. He noted that small companies that need to improve their cybersecurity posture must first identify the system's vulnerabilities, if any. While the ACSI cybersecurity toolkit is not perfect, it is definitely the first step to secure the system of MSMEs, added Chen.

To access the cybersecurity self-assessment toolkit and begin fortifying their first line of defense against cyber threats, MSMEs can download it for free at https://sat.acercsi.com/. This initiative seeks to empower MSMEs in their journey towards enhanced cybersecurity, ultimately supporting their growth and resilience in an increasingly interconnected digital world.