Cybersecurity Initiative for the Skilled Crafts – Guidance, Training, and Support.

Digital transformation opens up new opportunities for small and medium-sized craft businesses, such as more efficient work processes and new business models. At the same time, it creates new risks in the form of cyberattacks, which can have significant economic consequences for companies. The Cybersecurity in the  Skilled Trades Sector Initiative helps businesses overcome these challenges and systematically integrate cybersecurity into their operations.

The program is aimed in particular at small and medium-sized craft businesses and their employees. The goal is to provide guidance, identify concrete measures, and support businesses in implementing cybersecurity strategies.

Services and Support Structures

A central element of the initiative is an online platform that brings together various support services. These include, among other things:

• emergency assistance, such as information on emergency plans and hotlines for cyberattacks,
• cybersecurity checks that allow businesses to scan their IT infrastructure for vulnerabilities and identify effective protective measures,
• information on funding programs that provide financial support for measures such as training or security software,
• events and cybersecurity days that take place regularly and facilitate continuing education as well as exchanges with experts and practitioners,
• information on attack techniques and protective measures, for example regarding phishing or ransomware, two-factor authentication (2FA),
• as well as free consulting services provided by specialist consultants, security ambassadors, and IT security experts.

As a further pillar, the initiative provides continuing education opportunities, including certifications such as “Digital First Responder,” “IT Incident Practitioner,” “IT Incident Expert,” or “IT Basic Protection Practitioner.” These offerings aim to build knowledge within organizations and strengthen the ability to address IT security issues.

Networking and Knowledge Sharing

In addition to providing information and training opportunities, the initiative focuses on networking and knowledge transfer. A network of experts facilitates the exchange of experiences and supports businesses in implementing concrete measures. Events and community initiatives promote collaboration and make it easier to access professional support.

Network partners include chambers of crafts from across Germany, organizations from the fields of education and science, as well as IT security experts and multipliers within craft trade organizations. They all contribute their expertise and perspectives and help the craft sector master digitalization.

Why is this a good practice?

The initiative bundles various cybersecurity support services into a single point of access and is specifically tailored to the needs of skilled trades businesses. It combines information resources, training, consulting, and networking.

Since 2020, the continuous provision of materials, events, and advisory structures has enabled businesses to gradually build up cybersecurity and integrate it into existing processes. The combination of an online platform, training opportunities, and networking structures creates broad access to knowledge and support.

Institution and implementation

The Cybersecurity Initiative for the Skilled Trades is a project of the Mittelstand-Digital Zentrum Handwerk (SME Digital Center for the Skilled Trades) and belongs to the Mittelstand-Digital Network, which is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection. The network works closely with the German Confederation of Skilled Crafts (ZDH).