SME Minister Eléonore Simonet opens Cybersec Europe: “Hackers don’t care about the size of your business”
The upcoming edition of Cybersec Europe on May 20–21 at Brussels Expo will be officially opened by Minister for the Middle Class, Self-Employed and SMEs, Eléonore Simonet. With her presence, both the minister and the organization immediately place a clear theme on the agenda: the growing need for cybersecurity among small and medium-sized enterprises.
Eléonore Simonet, who was sworn in early last year at the age of 27 as the youngest federal minister ever, will deliver the opening keynote focused on raising cybersecurity awareness among SMEs. Her keynote is titled: “Cybersecurity: Hackers don’t care your business is small.”
Disproportionate impact
A recent OECD study on the digital transformation of SMEs shows that smaller companies are rapidly digitalizing, but often lag behind when it comes to security. At the same time, they increasingly act as gateways to larger organizations, for example through supply chains, making supply chain attacks more likely.
The study also shows that the impact of cyber incidents is disproportionately large for smaller businesses. While large organizations typically have buffers to absorb financial and reputational damage, SMEs can face severe operational disruption or even existential risks following a successful attack.
Government initiatives
In her keynote, Minister Simonet will explain why cybersecurity has become a major challenge for SMEs and why no business is too small to be targeted. She will also highlight concrete initiatives and measures from the government to support companies, with a focus on strengthening cyber resilience and helping organizations better prevent, detect, and respond to cyber threats.
Minister Simonet’s keynote will not only mark the official opening of Cybersec Europe, but also serve as a clear call to structurally embed cybersecurity within every organization, including SMEs.
Eléonore Simonet will speak on Wednesday, May 20 at 11:00 AM on the main stage, officially opening Cybersec Europe. Free registration is available via cyberseceurope.com.
Register for free!
As cyber attacks continue to threaten today’s tech landscape, this event is the premier platform for seasoned cyber security professionals and innovative start-ups to exchange knowledge and tackle cybersecurity challenges together. Organizations across all sectors will discover strategies to boost cyber resilience and safeguard critical assets. Don’t miss this chance to strengthen your cyber defenses.
