Singtel, Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG), and the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) have launched the Cyber Protect Programme, a national initiative to strengthen cybersecurity for Singapore’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The programme responds to persistently high cyber-risk levels: studies show that more than 40% of firms experienced multiple incidents annually, and SMEs remain prime targets for ransomware. As digital adoption accelerates across sectors, the gap between recommended cybersecurity practices and what SMEs can realistically implement has widened, underscoring the need for more accessible and affordable protection.
Over the next two years, the initiative will offer up to 49,000 SMEs a year of free network-level cybersecurity services, followed by subsidised renewal in the second year. The package includes Mobile Protect, which uses AI to detect malicious links and threats on up to five mobile lines, and Broadband Security, which shields business networks and connected devices. Complementary training, through workshops and online modules, aims to equip SMEs with foundational cybersecurity awareness, enabling them to better recognise risks and respond to incidents.
The programme is part of the broader Digital Enterprise Blueprint, launched to accelerate SME digitalisation and ensure that cybersecurity becomes an integral component rather than an afterthought. Leaders from the three organisations emphasised the importance of supporting SMEs, noting that smaller businesses often lack in-house expertise and face financial constraints that hinder effective protection.
By combining public funding, private-sector capabilities, and nationwide outreach, the Cyber Protect Programme aims to narrow the cybersecurity divide between smaller firms and large enterprises. In doing so, it strengthens the resilience of Singapore’s digital economy, ensuring that SMEs can adopt new technologies with confidence and remain competitive in an increasingly interconnected environment.
(Source: Infocomm Media Development Authority)
