Cyber risk assessment and management are essential for SMEs to protect their valuable data and systems. This course provides SMEs with the knowledge and tools to conduct basic cyber risk assessments, prioritize risks, develop mitigation strategies, understand cyber insurance, and create simple incident response plans. This course also provides organizations with essential knowledge and practical tools to design and implement effective Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery (BCDR) plans. Through hands-on exercises and real-world case studies, participants will develop skills in risk assessment, crisis response, cyber resilience, and recovery planning. Supply chain security is a critical concern for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs/PA). This course provides SMEs/PA with the knowledge and tools to understand supply chain risks, implement due diligence, establish secure contractual relationships, and manage security incidents effectively. Effective cyber incident response and crisis communication are crucial for minimizing damage and ensuring rapid recovery for SMEs/PA. This course provides SMEs/PA with the knowledge and tools to create incident response plan templates, handle crisis communications, and manage stakeholders during an incident.
Course Overview Table
| Chapter | Details |
| Partner | Military Academy General Mihailo Apostolski – Skopje |
| Title | “Business Continuity and Cyber Resilience” |
| Service | Cybersecurity |
| Target Group | SME owners and managers, IT personnel, risk management personnel, compliance officers, procurement professionals |
| Format | In-Person Training |
| Focused on Key Technologies | Risk assessment frameworks, risk prioritization tools, cyber insurance basics, incident response planning templates, business process resilience, supplier vetting tools, data backup |
| Status | Ready to offer |
| Stakeholders from SME/PA Side | IT departments, risk management teams, compliance officers, management, cybersecurity teams |
| Requirements for Participation | Basic understanding of IT systems and business operations |
| Estimated Duration | Multi-day (approximately 16-20 hours) |
Description of the Course
Introduction:
This course equips SMEs with the fundamental knowledge and practical skills to identify, assess, and manage cyber risks effectively, ensuring business continuity and data protection. Planning Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery (BCDR) is essential for organizations facing cyber threats, system failures, and operational disruptions. This training provides a structured approach to developing and implementing resilience strategies that protect business operations from unforeseen incidents. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs/PA) are increasingly vulnerable to supply chain attacks. This course equips SMEs/PA with the knowledge and best practices to identify, assess, and mitigate security risks throughout their supply chain. This course also empowers SMEs/PA to develop effective cyber incident response and crisis communication strategies to minimize negative consequences and ensure rapid recovery.
Technical Context and Examples:
Participants will learn through real-world examples and case studies, applying risk assessment frameworks and developing practical mitigation strategies. Many organizations lack structured BCDR plans, making them vulnerable to cyberattacks, data loss, and supply chain disruptions. This course explores real-world cases, such as ransomware attacks that crippled businesses and best practices for mitigating risks. Technologies covered include cloud-based backup solutions, business impact analysis (BIA) methodologies, and automated incident response tools. Participants will explore real-world examples of supply chain attacks, learn how to conduct supplier due diligence, draft secure contract clauses, and develop effective incident reporting and communication plans. Participants will work with real-world cases and simulations, using incident response plan templates and crisis communication strategies.
Detailed Explanation of Core Concepts:
The course covers the following topics:
- Conducting a Basic Cyber Risk Assessment and developing mitigation strategies.
- Business Continuity Planning (BCP) – Establishing preventive measures, communication strategies, and emergency response procedures.
- Disaster Recovery Planning (DRP) – Implementing recovery objectives, backup solutions, and cyber resilience frameworks.
- Supply Chain Attack Vectors
- Due Diligence for Suppliers and Partners
- Contractual Security Requirements
- Incident Reporting and Communication
- Creating an Incident Response Plan Template
- Crisis Communication
- Stakeholder Management During an Incident
Tentative agenda of the course:
- Conducting a basic cyber risk assessment
- Prioritizing risks and developing mitigation strategies
- Creating a simple incident response plan
- Introduction to Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery
- Disaster Recovery Planning & Cyber Resilience
- Incident Response & Crisis Management
- Supply Chain Attack Vectors
- Due Diligence for Suppliers and Partners
- Crisis Communication
- Stakeholder Management During an Incident
- [Optional: Tabletop exercise or simulation]
- [Optional: Quiz or assessment]
Conclusion and Unique Value:
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to implement basic cyber risk management practices, understand cyber insurance, and develop incident response plans to protect their SME from cyber threats. Participants will have a tailored Business Continuity Plan (BCP) and Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP) for their organizations. Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to implement a comprehensive supply chain security program within their SME/PA. This will help protect their business from disruptions, reputational damage, and financial losses. Participants will also be able to manage crisis communication, and coordinate stakeholders during an incident.
Additional Course Information
| Category | Details |
| Developed skills | Participants will acquire knowledge and skills, including: |
| – Conducting basic cyber risk assessments
– Prioritizing risks and developing mitigation strategies – Understanding the basics of cyber insurance – Creating simple incident response plans – Understanding BCDR principles and frameworks – Utilizing backup and disaster recovery technologies – Identifying common supply chain attack vectors – Conducting effective due diligence on suppliers and partners |
|
| Learning Methods Used | – Lectures and presentations on cyber risk assessment and management
– Case studies and group discussions – Practical exercises in risk assessment and planning – Use of risk assessment tools and templates – Lectures and presentations on supply chain security principles – Case studies and group discussions – Practical exercises in risk assessment and contract drafting – Creating incident response plan templates – Developing crisis communication strategies – Managing stakeholders during an incident – Conducting incident response simulation |
| References/Resources | – NIST Cybersecurity Framework
– ISO 27001 Information Security Management – Industry-specific cyber risk guidelines – Cyber insurance resources and guides – ISO 22301 (Business Continuity Management System) – ISO 28000: Specification for Security Management Systems for the Supply Chain – ISO 27035 Information security incident management |
| Overview Slides | /
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