Background
Asia and the Pacific consist of the largest group of internet users. Naturally, more businesses in these regions are going online to unlock new economic opportunities. Even micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), budding entrepreneurs, social enterprises, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are venturing into online platforms to operate successfully. In fact, one in five of these MSMEs already rely on online platforms to reach potential customers while providing offline services (Online-to-Offline service platforms). While the region is witnessing a rapid digitalization of businesses, it is also facing the highest number of cyber-attacks worldwide -- 31% of global cyberattacks. Here, small businesses are more vulnerable as they lack the technology know-how and have limited access to proper protection against cyber-attacks. Seventy-five percent of small businesses in this region report growing concerns about cybersecurity.
About the Program
The APAC Cybersecurity Fund initiative aims to strengthen the Asia-Pacific region’s cybersecurity ecosystem by equipping micro and small businesses, nonprofits, and social enterprises with the skills needed to navigate the Internet safely and confidently. Supported by a $15M grant from Google.org, Google’s philanthropic arm, The Asia Foundation leads the initiative in collaboration with the CyberPeace Institute and Global Cyber Alliance. Spanning 12 countries, the program includes Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam.
In India, under the APAC Cybersecurity Fund initiative, Foundation for MSME Clusters will equip 70,000 micro, small and medium businesses (MSMEs) in cyber hygiene and digital safety skills.
implemented in India by
organized by
in partnership with
with support from
The Asia Foundation is a nonprofit international development organization committed to improving lives and expanding opportunities across Asia and the Pacific. Informed by 70 years of experience and deep local knowledge, our work is focused on governance, climate action, gender equality, education and leadership, inclusive growth, and international cooperation. We work in more than 20 countries through our 17 permanent country offices and programs across Asia and the Pacific, supported by a headquarters in San Francisco and an office in Washington, DC. Our funding comes from a diverse array of bilateral and multilateral development agencies, foundations, corporations, and individuals.
The Foundation for MSME Clusters (FMC) was set up as non-government, not-for-profit public charitable trust with technical support from the UNIDO Cluster Development Programme in India and EDII. The leadership associated with UNIDO Cluster Development Programme bootstrapped and helped FMC grow to its existing levels. FMC has worked with around 275 MSME clusters and is associated with 250 Business Membership Organizations (BMOs) across most of the states in India. FMC has given directly and indirectly support to more than a hundred thousand MSMEs till date and has supported over 100 common facility centres. FMC specializes in promoting inclusive and sustainable development of MSMEs by strengthening the eco system of MSME clusters.
Google.org, Google’s philanthropy, brings the best of Google to help solve some of humanity’s biggest challenges combining funding, product donations and technical expertise to support underserved communities and provide opportunity for everyone. We engage nonprofits, social enterprises and civic entities who make a significant impact on the communities they serve, and whose work has the potential to produce scalable, meaningful change.