Cyber Resilience in the Entrepreneurial Environment: A Framework for Enhancing Cybersecurity Awareness in SMEs

In response to the pressing need for enhanced cybersecurity resilience among Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) amidst the rapid digitisation of business operations, this research paper presents the Entrepreneurial Cyber Resilience Framework. Employing a qualitative methodology, the framework emerges from synthesising insights garnered through an extensive literature review and qualitative interviews with SME entrepreneurs and cybersecurity experts. The qualitative approach, which included purposive sampling of SME entrepreneurs representing diverse industries, semi-structured interviews, and thematic analysis, allowed for a comprehensive exploration of factors shaping cyber resilience within SMEs. By drawing on the experiences, opinions, and practices of SME entrepreneurs and the scholarly perspectives documented in the literature, the framework provides a structured approach to cultivating a cybersecurity-conscious culture. It emphasizes the pivotal role of leadership, knowledge dissemination, risk management strategies, and technological integration in fortifying cyber resilience. The actionable framework proposed in this study was validated by cybersecurity experts. Ultimately the framework aims to empower SMEs in bolstering their cybersecurity posture and navigating the dynamic threat landscape effectively.