In today’s digital-first business environment, where UPI payments, e-commerce, online invoicing, WhatsApp orders, and digital marketing are part of everyday business—even in rural India—cybersecurity for MSMEs has become as important as accounting or GST compliance.
To help small businesses stay safe, a special cybersecurity training program was recently organized in Charaideo, Assam. Supported by DICC, CUTS International, and The Asia Foundation, the workshop focused on cyber hygiene for entrepreneurs, protecting digital payments, and building awareness against fast-growing MSME cyber threats.
With schemes like PMEGP (https://www.kviconline.gov.in) and PMFME (https://mofpi.gov.in) empowering entrepreneurs, digital safety training is now a crucial pillar of MSME growth.
According to the Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR)
https://www.verizon.com/business/resources/reports/dbir/
43% of cyberattacks worldwide target small businesses.
Why? Because many MSMEs lack:
The IBM Cost of a Data Breach Report
https://www.ibm.com/reports/data-breach
found that even small businesses can lose ₹1.6 crore on average in a cyber breach.
Sadly, 60% of small businesses shut down within six months of a major cyberattack.
Cybersecurity is no longer a tech issue—it is a business survival strategy.
Indian MSMEs face multiple digital risks:
Commonly disguised as suppliers, banks, or GST updates.
Hackers lock your system and demand payment to unlock data.
Using weak or repeated passwords makes MSMEs easy targets.
A daily problem for retailers, salons, small stores, and freelancers.
Fake messages claiming “bank KYC expired” to steal login details.
Scammers impersonate CEOs or managers to authorize fake payments.
Scammers pretend to be cyber police, CBI, or enforcement agencies.
Digital arrest scams have shocked India with high-profile cases:
These cases prove that even educated and experienced people can be trapped.
| Area | India | USA |
|---|---|---|
| Digital Maturity (DSCI Report) | 58/100 | 78/100 |
| MSMEs Planning Cyber Investment | 76% | 60% |
| Fully Digitalized MSMEs | 12% | 50%+ |
| Small Businesses Hit by Cyberattacks | 25–30% | 41% |
| Median Ransom Loss | ₹45–60 lakh | ₹13 lakh |
Sources:
DSCI MSME Digital Maturity Report → https://www.dsci.in
IBM Data Breach Report → https://www.ibm.com/reports/data-breach
India is growing fast digitally, but cyber awareness is still low.
The Charaideo cybersecurity training program provided:
How to verify UPI transactions and avoid fake payment proofs.
Basic habits that prevent 90% of cyberattacks.
Free tools, secure apps, backup solutions.
For small and rural businesses, such training is invaluable.
Avoid birthdays, names, phone numbers.
Always confirm in bank/UPI app.
Use cloud + external hard drive.
No Indian agency arrests anyone digitally. Ever.
Use these portals to report fraud, learn best practices, and stay updated.
As MSMEs continue adopting digital tools, the risks grow too:
To survive and grow, MSMEs must treat cybersecurity as a core business function, not an afterthought.
A digitally secure MSME is a future-ready MSME.
Tabrez Ahmed is the founder and writer of Business Zindagi, a leading MSME-focused knowledge platform. He simplifies business concepts, government schemes, compliance updates, and digital trends for entrepreneurs across India.
His mission: empower small businesses with practical, actionable knowledge.
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