Aneesha Doal, a Doctoral Researcher at Coventry University, is looking for SME's owners to participate in her PhD research.

Embarking on a crucial journey to understand the challenges faced by SMEs in the ever-evolving cyber threat landscape, Aneesha has sought the assistance of the ECRC. Aneesha's research aims to unravel the perceptions of SMEs regarding cyber resilience and the potential barriers they have come across.

If you're a SME owner based in the UK, we invite you to delve into Anessha's research and consider participating to contribute valuable insights. Your first hand experiences can play a pivotal role in shaping strategies to overcome these challenges. Read on to discover more about Aneesha's research and and how you can get involved!

Your voice matters in shaping the future digital security landscape for SMEs.

My name is Aneesha Doal, a doctoral researcher at Coventry University undertaking a PhD in Cybersecurity Management. I am excited to invite you to participate in my ongoing PhD research. Whether you're a cybersecurity expert or a newcomer, your unique perspective is incredibly valuable.

The current business landscape for small enterprises in the UK often shows a reliance on Managed Service Providers (MSPs) for IT matters or a complete disregard for in-house cyber resilience measures. With the advent of new technologies and the impact of COVID-19, businesses face the harsh reality that no technical solution provides absolute protection from cyber threats. Thus, recognising the inevitability of cyber-attacks is crucial, urging a shift towards comprehensive and continuous resilience strategies. Cybersecurity is an ongoing journey, not a fixed destination.

Can you spare 45 mins - 1 hour for me to interview you on your views on the matter?

Purpose of the Research:

This research aims to gain insights into the perspectives held by top management in Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the United Kingdom regarding enhancing cyber resilience. The study evaluates the impact of these perceptions on adopting a hybrid strategy that combines internal cybersecurity measures and outsourcing to Managed Service Providers (MSPs) to bolster cyber resilience.

The outcome of the PhD is to develop a theoretically underpinned framework that guides policymakers, IT professionals, senior executives, and regulatory bodies in evaluating UK SME top management's perceptions concerning integrating a hybrid strategy encompassing internal measures and Managed Service Provider (MSP) outsourcing. This framework will further enable the assessment of these perceptions, grounded by applying behavioural theories. Your perspectives could be the bedrock for shaping future strategies and enhancing cybersecurity practices for SMEs nationwide.

Why Get Involved?

1. Contribute to Valuable Research: Your participation will directly benefit your business and the broader SME community.
2. Share Unique Insights: Your experiences and perspectives will help identify and establish best practices in cybersecurity.
3. Deepen Your Understanding: This is an excellent opportunity to boost your knowledge of cyber resilience strategies.

Your involvement is pivotal to the success of this research project. Not only is it a chance to be part of something meaningful, but it is also an opportunity to fortify the cybersecurity defences of UK SMEs. Your input will remain confidential, and your time investment will be greatly appreciated.

Interested in participating or want to learn more? Feel free to reach out to me via email – doala2@uni.coventry.ac.uk

Let’s collaborate and fortify the cybersecurity posture of UK SMEs together!

Aneesha Doal

Doctoral Researcher, Coventry University

doala2@uni.coventry.ac.uk