Movement restrictions imposed by governments during the COVID-19 pandemic have changed consumption patterns and the way of doing business, forcing small and medium-sized companies to migrate their businesses to electronic media. Similarly, crime increased its participation in cyberspace, exploiting the vulnerability of these companies due to their dependence on digital technologies and the lack of resources for effective management of data integrity, confidentiality, and availability. Therefore, it is necessary to sensitize small and medium- sized companies about the importance of cybersecurity and prepare them not only to defend themselves against cyberattacks but also for a quick and timely recovery from possible incidents. The objective of this study is to propose a basic cybersecurity protocol as the primary defense strategy against cyberattacks, which allows business continuity in t...

Digitalization has increased the exponential use of information and communication technologies, consequently increasing the risk of cyberattacks, which threaten the global supply chain. Small and medium-sized companies and their ecosystems are the most affected by the lack of resources to protect their information assets' integrity, confidentiality, and availability. Increasing awareness of cybersecurity helps reinforce global immunity to cyberattacks. This article investigates how some countries' governments support the cybersecurity of small and medium-sized companies, highlights the best international practices, and identifies areas for improvement in capacity building for governments, policymakers, cyber security experts, and academics. Cybersecurity must be addressed with an interdisciplinary and holistic approach, with a multilateral application, since small and medium-sized compan...

Movement restrictions imposed by governments during the COVID-19 pandemic have changed consumption patterns and the way of doing business, forcing small and medium-sized companies to migrate their businesses to electronic media. Similarly, crime increased its participation in cyberspace, exploiting the vulnerability of these companies due to their dependence on digital technologies and the lack of resources for effective management of data integrity, confidentiality, and availability. Therefore, it is necessary to sensitize small and medium- sized companies about the importance of cybersecurity and prepare them not only to defend themselves against cyberattacks but also for a quick and timely recovery from possible incidents. The objective of this study is to propose a basic cybersecurity protocol as the primary defense strategy against cyberattacks, which allows business continuity in t...

Digitalization has increased the exponential use of information and communication technologies, consequently increasing the risk of cyberattacks, which threaten the global supply chain. Small and medium-sized companies and their ecosystems are the most affected by the lack of resources to protect their information assets' integrity, confidentiality, and availability. Increasing awareness of cybersecurity helps reinforce global immunity to cyberattacks. This article investigates how some countries' governments support the cybersecurity of small and medium-sized companies, highlights the best international practices, and identifies areas for improvement in capacity building for governments, policymakers, cyber security experts, and academics. Cybersecurity must be addressed with an interdisciplinary and holistic approach, with a multilateral application, since small and medium-sized compan...

Children are the most vulnerable segment of this cyberphysical society and can be easily exploited due to their level of perception of cyber risk. Starting education and the development of digital skills at an early age encourages this population topursue professional careers such as cybersecurity in the future and contribute in a sustainable way to closing the gap in the workforce. Using a qualitative approach, a documentary review, a literature review, and consultation with academic experts are carried out to propose a digital literacy program at an early age. As a case study, the Digital Literacy Program of the International University of the Americas of Costa Rica and the experiences with the Cybersecurity Workshop for Children are presented. Workshop aimed at the development of digital skills, cyber well-being at an early age and children’s interest in following new professional c...

Children are the most vulnerable segment of this cyberphysical society and can be easily exploited due to their level of perception of cyber risk. Starting education and the development of digital skills at an early age encourages this population topursue professional careers such as cybersecurity in the future and contribute in a sustainable way to closing the gap in the workforce. Using a qualitative approach, a documentary review, a literature review, and consultation with academic experts are carried out to propose a digital literacy program at an early age. As a case study, the Digital Literacy Program of the International University of the Americas of Costa Rica and the experiences with the Cybersecurity Workshop for Children are presented. Workshop aimed at the development of digital skills, cyber well-being at an early age and children’s interest in following new professional c...

In order to identify the relevant behavioral competencies for IT professionals and determine if there is a gap between the competencies developed by academia and those required by the job market in Costa Rica, this article analyses four stakeholder groups: literature, job boards, the graduation profiles of IT programs in public universities, and the directors and academic coordinators of these universities. The analysis identified 45 behavioral competencies, of which only three coincided in their categorization as having a high or moderate degree of importance. Notably, the analysis found no homogeneous competencies for all the investigated groups.

In order to identify the relevant behavioral competencies for IT professionals and determine if there is a gap between the competencies developed by academia and those required by the job market in Costa Rica, this article analyses four stakeholder groups: literature, job boards, the graduation profiles of IT programs in public universities, and the directors and academic coordinators of these universities. The analysis identified 45 behavioral competencies, of which only three coincided in their categorization as having a high or moderate degree of importance. Notably, the analysis found no homogeneous competencies for all the investigated groups.