The Cyber Readiness Institute (CRI) works to secure global value chains across sectors by empowering small and medium-sized organizations to improve their cyber readiness.

SMEs, with limited resources to dedicate to cyber issues, are often the weakest link in global value chains. As a result, they are routinely targeted by malicious actors. A cyber incident can severely disrupt partners all along the chain. 

CRI works to change this fact. In December 2018, we launched the Cyber Readiness Program.

The Cyber Readiness Program is a valuable resource not only for SMEs, but also for companies at the top of global value chains. Large enterprises can provide the Cyber Readiness Program to their SME partners to manage their own risk.  Better cyber readiness along the full chain means better protection of critical data, assets, and systems that are critical to business continuity and success. This approach is especially valuable in highly regulated, R&D-intensive industry sectors.

The Cyber Readiness Program is free and available online. The Program is fully customizable and takes organizations through a step-by-step process to improve cybersecurity, regardless of industry sector, size, or maturity. Using the Program, SMEs train personnel to manage four top cyber issues: 

1. Authentication: A weak password is an easy access point to your most sensitive information and system.
2. Patching: Patches are updates to your software and systems that contain important security remedies.
3. Phishing: Phishing is an email-borne attack that attempts to use your email account to do something malicious.
4. USBs: USBs and removable media devices are easy gateways for malware to infect your computers.

CRI focuses on people and processes in order to create a culture of cyber readiness throughout an organization. Our Program, developed with leading experts, reflects best cyber practices.

To raise awareness about cyber readiness and distribute the Program to millions of SMEs, CRI works with a global network of “Cyber Readiness Champions.” Champions are companies, industry groups, cybersecurity service providers, universities, and other entities dedicated to working with SMEs, helping SMEs improve their cybersecurity, and securing global value chains. Current Champions are located in the Americas, Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

About the Cyber Readiness Institute

The Cyber Readiness Institute (CRI) convenes senior leaders of global companies to share best practices and develop resources to improve the cyber readiness of small and medium-sized businesses to secure global value chains.

The Institute’s Co-Chairs are:  Samuel J. Palmisano, retired President and CEO, IBM and current Chairman, The Center for Global Enterprise; Ajay Banga, President and CEO, Mastercard; Satya Nadella, CEO, Microsoft; and Penny Pritzker, former U.S. Secretary of Commerce and current Chairman, PSP Partners.  Additional Members include Maersk, Citi, General Motors, and ExxonMobil.  The Managing Director of CRI is Kiersten Todt, former Executive Director of the U.S. Presidential Commission on Enhancing National Cybersecurity. 

For more information, please visit www.cyberreadinessinstitute.org or write to us at info@cyberreadinessinstitute.org.