Empowering SMEs in the Fight Against Cyber Threats - Interview with Professor Christos Douligeris

Professor Christos Douligeris of the University of Piraeus, a key contributor to the NERO cybersecurity project, sheds light on the initiative's mission to strengthen cybersecurity measures for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

A Multifaceted Approach to Cybersecurity

NERO, a collaborative project involving the University of Piraeus Research Centre (UPRC) and other partners, aims to equip SMEs with the tools and knowledge to effectively combat cybersecurity threats. The project encompasses a range of activities designed to raise awareness and foster expertise in this critical domain. Professor Douligeris outlines the upcoming programmes:
"We're now in the process of planning events such as hackathons and other programmes where the public can participate. We have a summer school that starts in September called CyberHOT where people can participate and get to know more things about security, especially security for SMEs."

Harnessing the Power of Ethical Hacking

A notable aspect of NERO's approach is its focus on promoting ethical hacking. Professor Douligeris explains:
"Hacking is also considered like an evil or bad idea, but we also have so-called ethical hackers. There are people that try to find bugs and share these bugs with the community."

He emphasises the importance of creating a supportive environment for ethical hackers, including clear reporting procedures and recognition for their contributions:
"Knowing the procedures and how you report in a way that does not break into trouble. Most of the big companies usually announce names of people who have found bugs in their systems."

Overcoming Challenges in SME Cybersecurity

Professor Douligeris acknowledges the hurdles in implementing cybersecurity measures for SMEs:
"The challenge is to persuade people in the small and medium enterprises to get involved with this. Because everybody in an SME has its own job. There is no time to do something else."

He underscores that addressing security vulnerabilities proactively is crucial:
"It's very difficult to get people out of their workspace and tell them, let's start and look at another issue, which is security. When you find the security problems, it's going to be too late."

Building a Secure Digital Future

NERO envisions a future where SMEs have access to comprehensive cybersecurity resources and expert support. Professor Douligeris encapsulates this vision:
"Security's an exciting field. It's nice to know that you're protected, that you feel secure.  It's nice to know that you have a team of experts very close to you that can help you resolve a lot of issues ."

By empowering businesses to take a proactive stance on cybersecurity, the NERO project aims to create a more resilient and secure digital landscape for all SMEs.

Watch the Full Video Interview

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