Cybersecurity and the twin transition

Computer security plays a crucial role in the green and digital transition

European SMEs are facing an era-defining challenge, in the shape of the twin green and digital transition. Digitalising business models and processes increases efficiency, reduces waste and boosts competitiveness. Meanwhile, espousing sustainable solutions helps to contain energy use and reduce environmental impact.

A key part in these innovative approaches is played by an aspect that is often underestimated: cybersecurity. Every new type of technology and every digital tool that a business starts using brings new opportunities, but also new risks. SMEs are more vulnerable to cyber attacks than big companies. As well as having an economic cost, they can bring production to a halt, compromise customer trust and make it necessary to take steps that waste energy and digital resources. In other words, a lack of security can slow down or even completely stop the march towards sustainability.

Simple ways to build business resilience 

Many SMEs do not have their own IT departments or big security budgets. However, there are a number of simple, inexpensive measures that can really make a difference, such as regularly updating systems, backing up data, monitoring digital consumption, and providing phishing training for staff. These are things that everyone can do and they help not only to reduce the risk of attacks, but also to make technology use more efficient and sustainable.

Against this backdrop, an essential part is played by initiatives such as Smarties for SMEs. The EU-funded project helps travel and tourism SMEs in the Mediterranean to tackle the twin green and digital transition, through training, mentoring and economic contributions. Although it does not specifically cover cybersecurity, it highlights the need to take a secure, responsible approach to digital transformation. In other words, it shows that innovation, sustainability and security are not three separate matters, but intertwined factors that must go hand in hand in order to pave the way to real, lasting benefits.

A competitive edge

Once you appreciate that cybersecurity plays a core role in the twin transition, you can also see its strategic value. There’s more to it than just following the rules and taking preventive measures, because it can give you a genuine competitive edge.

SMEs that fuse sustainability and cybersecurity gain the trust of their customers and partners, enhance their reputations and enhance their internal management systems, becoming more solid and efficient. In a market where both environmental responsibility and data protection are key considerations for consumers and stakeholders, the capacity to combine innovation and resilience can really help companies to stand out from the crowd.