Small Businesses- Strong Defences: a playbook for micro SMEs by the Squad 2025

The Small Businesses- Strong Defences: a playbook for micro SMEs is a practical resource designed to help small businesses across Europe strengthen their digital resilience. 

Developed over eight months by Squad 2025, a focus group of pledging organisations from the platform, the playbook provides clear, actionable guidance on key areas including risk awareness, human behavior, access controls, system hygiene, data protection, and early detection of threats.

It also addresses emerging challenges such as AI-driven scams, offering practical steps, tools, checklists, and templates that can be implemented immediately. By combining expertise with real-world insights, the playbook enables micro and small enterprises to proactively reduce risks, foster a culture of cybersecurity, and build long-term digital skills that support business growth and trust.

Methodology

The playbook was developed using a participatory and evidence-based methodology. Over eight months, Squad 2025 engaged pledging organisations from the platform, cybersecurity experts, and representatives from micro and small enterprises to ensure the guidance is practical, relevant, and directly applicable. This approach combined real-world insights, existing EU guidance, and iterative feedback to create a resource that reflects the needs and realities of small businesses across Europe.