About the Training
The programme is designed to help participants build confidence in identifying cybersecurity and digital risks in SMEs, understanding their business implications, and recommending realistic, proportionate mitigation measures. The training is structured for live online delivery and incorporates real-world case studies, advisory-oriented materials, and knowledge checks to ensure both understanding and practical application.
Programme at a glance
| 1 | Cybersecurity Market Overview & SME Threat Landscape |
| 2 | Real-World Cyber Attack Scenarios |
| 3 | Financial & Business Impact of Cyber Incidents |
| 4 | SME Cybersecurity Framework & Core Controls |
| 5 | AI, Digital Risk & Advisory Role |
Delivery snapshot
| Format
Live online (MS Teams) |
Duration
~5 hours per cohort |
Cohort size
Up to 25 participants |
Differentiating angle
Unlike vendor-driven training, StrategEast’s approach is advisory-first and SME-realistic. Content is deliberately framed through an advisor’s lens — what matters most, what is exposed, what is proportionate, what should be done first
— so participants leave with transferable judgement, not a tooling checklist. The programme is supported by a flexible delivery model that can scale across cohorts and evolve from a one-time intervention into an organisation-wide capability.
Team & trainer options
| Option 1 | Option 2 | Option 3 |
| Lead Trainer Structured “advisorydecision logic” delivery;
prioritisation under constraints; strong learning validation via module mini-checks and a final applied scenario. |
Lead Trainer Technical credibility
translated into business language. PhD in Information Security; hands-on experience in pen testing, incident handling, forensics, AppSec/DevSecOps. |
Lead Trainer
Interactive, workshop-heavy format with a strong operational security angle. 15+ years; CISO background; cloud/SOC/IR expertise; scenario-driven delivery. |
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Training structure
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- Cybersecurity Market Overview and SME Threat Landscape. Key global trends, common SME threats, and reasons for vulnerability.
- Real-World Cyber Attack Scenarios. Practical, real-world examples of cyber incidents affecting SMEs, typical attack patterns and failure points, and demonstration-based discussion.
- Financial and Business Impact of Cyber Incidents. Direct and indirect costs of cyber incidents for SMEs, impact by company size and sector, and recommended cybersecurity investment.
- SME Cybersecurity Framework and Core Controls. Overview of practical cybersecurity frameworks suitable for SMEs, key baseline controls, and good practices such as access management, backups, awareness, and proportionate approaches aligned with SME size and maturity.
- AI, Digital Risk & Advisory Role. Cyber and digital risks arising from increased digitalisation and the use of AI tools.
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Technical Approach
The training will help participants assess SME cyber and digital risk using a practical hierarchy of knowledge:
- Context
- Obligations
- Finance
- Exposure
- Threat
- Control
- Priority
This hierarchy is embedded across all five modules so participants understand cyber risk in the correct business order, rather than approaching it as a purely technical checklist exercise.
The training is built on four design principles
- Business-oriented. Cybersecurity is framed as a business, financial, legal, operational, and governance issue.
- SME-speciffic. Content reflects SME conditions: limited budgets, lower maturity, reliance on third parties and MSPs, supply chain exposure, and implementation challenges.
- Advisory-focused. Participants interpret each topic through an advisory lens:
- What matters most?
- What is exposed?
- What could go wrong?
- What would the impact be?
- What is proportionate?
- What should be done first?
- Applied and reusable. The training provides practical tools, prompts, and reference materials usable beyond the session.
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Methodology
The session combines:
- concise facilitator-led instruction
- real-world SME case examples
- structured discussion
- practical prioritisation exercises
- live questioning
- end-of-module mini examinations
- final applied assessment
Each module includes case-driven content so participants translate concepts into practical advisory judgement.
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Assessment Approach
Module mini examinations. At the end of each module, participants complete a short knowledge and application check.
Final examination. 30-minute examination includes:
- short knowledge-based questions
- an applied SME scenario requiring identification of key risks, business impacts, and practical priorities
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Deliverables
- delivery of the live online training session
- training presentation materials
- practical case studies and examples relevant to SMEs
- end-of-module mini assessment materials
- final examination materials
- advisory-oriented tools and reference resources
Proposed support materials:
- The Hierarchy of Control cheat sheet
- SME cyber terminology sheet
- crown jewels identification worksheet
- baseline control checklist
- incident response quick reference
- AI and digital risk cheat sheet
The program is designed to develop practical knowledge of cybersecurity and digital risks for professionals working with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), without requiring a technical background.
The main focus is to enable participants to:
- understand key cybersecurity risks for SMEs
- provide basic recommendations to improve cybersecurity posture
- address emerging risks related to digitalization and the use of AI tools
Program Structure (5 Modules / 5 Hours)
Module 1. Cybersecurity Market Overview & SME Threat Landscape
- Global cybersecurity trends
- Why SMEs are particularly vulnerable
- Most common types of cyber threats targeting SMEs
- Typical weaknesses and failure points
Outcome: participants gain a clear understanding of the context and can explain why cybersecurity is a critical business risk.
Module 2. Real-World Cyber Attack Scenarios
- Analysis of real cyber incidents affecting SMEs
- Typical attack scenarios: phishing, ransomware, credential compromise
- Where and how failures occur
- Demonstration / walkthrough of a cyber attack scenario
Outcome: participants understand how attacks happen in practice and can explain them using real-life examples.
Module 3. Financial & Business Impact of Cyber Incidents
- Direct and indirect costs of cyber incidents
- Impact across different types of businesses
- Reputational risks
- How to justify cybersecurity investments
Outcome: participants can translate technical risks into business impact and communicate value to clients.
Module 4. Practical Cybersecurity Frameworks & Core Controls for SMEs
- Practical frameworks suitable for SMEs
- Key baseline controls: access management, backups, basic cyber hygiene, awareness practices
- Adapting approaches based on company size and maturity
Outcome: participants gain actionable recommendations they can apply in client interactions.
Module 5. AI, Digital Risk & Advisory Role
- How digitalization is reshaping risk
- Risks associated with the use of AI tools in business
- Common mistakes in AI adoption
- The advisor’s role in identifying and communicating risks
Outcome: participants understand emerging risks and can advise clients in the context of modern technologies.
Light Interactive Assessment (10–15 minutes)
At the end of the training, participants complete a short interactive assessment designed to validate their understanding of key concepts and their practical application in an SME advisory context.
The assessment format includes:
- a mini-case based on a realistic SME scenario;
- scenario-based questions aimed at identifying risks and prioritizing actions;
- the use of a simple advisory tool (checklist or basic framework) to structure responses.
Evaluation approach. A structured rubric is used to assess:
- the ability to identify key risks;
- the ability to translate technical risks into business impact;
- the quality and practicality of the proposed recommendations.
Outcome:
Participants demonstrate their ability to apply acquired knowledge in real advisory
scenarios, not only at a theoretical level. All materials are designed for further use by participants in their day-to-day advisory work
with SMEs.
As part of the program, the client will receive the following deliverables:
- delivery of a 5-hour live online training session;
- training presentation materials (slides);
- 2–3 practical case studies adapted to SME context;
- a set of advisory tools, including:
-SME cybersecurity checklist;
-basic risk assessment framework;
-supporting materials for practical application in further client work;• interactive assessment (mini-case + evaluation rubric).
Format
Format includes:
- case-based exercises
- scenario-based questions
- short practical tasks
Participant outcomes
- understand key cybersecurity risks for SMEs
- explain them clearly to clients
- apply basic risk assessment thinking
- provide practical recommendations and navigate AI-related risks
Training Methodology
- Interactive, case-driven approach. Sessions are structured around real-life scenarios, simulations, and problem-solving exercises to ensure active participation and practical understanding.
- Focus on real-world SME contexts. Content is tailored to operational realities, constraints, and risk profiles of SMEs for immediate relevance.
- Business-ffirst framing. Complex cybersecurity concepts are translated into clear, business-oriented insights for non-technical participants.
- Blended learning techniques. Live polls, facilitated discussions, breakout group work, guided exercises.
- Hands-on practical exercises. Realistic use cases: incident scenarios, risk assessments, decision-making exercises.
- Advisory-oriented outcomes. Focus on applied advisory skills: identifying risks, prioritizing actions, integrating cybersecurity into business processes.
- Adaptive and audience-speciffic delivery. Depth adjusted based on participant profiles.
- Continuous feedback and iteration. Real-time feedback used to refine delivery during sessions.
Module 1: Cybersecurity Market Overview & SME Threat Landscape (45 min)
- Global cybersecurity trends impacting SMEs
- Why SMEs are targeted (low maturity, weak controls, supply chain entry points)
- Common threats: phishing, ransomware, credential theft, SaaS abuse
- Regional context (Eastern Europe / emerging markets)
Method: interactive discussion + quick polling + threat mapping exercise
Module 2: Real-World Cyber Attack Scenarios (75 min)
Walkthrough of real SME incidents:
- Ransomware in manufacturing SME
- Business email compromise (BEC) in financial services
- SaaS account takeover (Google Workspace / Microsoft 365)
- Attack chain breakdown (initial access → escalation → impact)
- Live demo (controlled simulation of phishing or credential compromise)
Method: case-driven analysis + live demonstration
Module 3: Financial & Business Impact (45 min)
- Direct costs: downtime, ransom, recovery
- Indirect costs: reputation, legal, compliance, lost revenue
- Impact variation by SME size and sector
- ROI-driven cybersecurity investment approach
Method: scenario-based cost modeling
Module 4: SME Cybersecurity Framework & Core Controls (90 min)
Practical frameworks:
- NIST CSF (simplified for SMEs)
- CIS Critical Security Controls Core baseline controls:
- Identity & Access Management
- Backup & Recovery
- Endpoint protection
- Awareness training
- Network segmentation
- Maturity-based approach (small vs growing SMEs)
Method: checklist-based advisory simulation + real-world templates
Module 5: AI, Digital Risk & Advisory Role (45 min)
Risks from AI adoption:
- Data leakage via AI tools
- Prompt injection / manipulation
- Third-party AI dependencies Digital transformation risks:
- Cloud misconfigurations
- API exposure
- Role of advisors in guiding SMEs
Method: risk identification workshop + advisory scenario
Interactive Assessment (30 min)
- Case-based SME scenario
- Participants act as advisors: identify risks, prioritize controls, recommend actions
- Group feedback + scoring rubric
