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Learn the basics

No business is too small to need protection from cyberthreats

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You’re an expert at what you do. Unfortunately, so are cybercriminals.

Cybercriminals are specifically targeting unprepared small businesses like never before. A cyberattack can hurt your business’s bottom line, impact your customers and employees, and do serious damage to your company’s reputation. This is why it’s essential to have a trusted resource you can turn to for cybersecurity support.

80%

of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) agree they need a cybersecurity solution that keeps their business safe without requiring them to be a cybersecurity expert.1

65%

of SMEs agree that when it comes to their business’s budget, cybersecurity is a top priority.1

Cyber preparedness is a time investment in your business’s future. Yes, knowing where to start and who to trust can be overwhelming, but the Mastercard Trust Center is here to help.

Learning content and tools

With the Mastercard Trust Center, you have access to information, tools and resources that alleviate the complexity of cybersecurity to help keep you safer from hackers and fraudsters.

Here we start with essential knowledge you can use right away to better protect your business — from managing passwords to helping defend against ransomware and phishing attacks.


Why is cybersecurity important?

Your customers trust you with their personal data — not only payment card info but personally identifying information (PII) such as email, address, date of birth and more. It’s your responsibility to protect it.

Businessman holding shield protect icon

What is a cybersecurity incident?

Many budding entrepreneurs or owners of smaller businesses feel anxious just thinking about implementing cybersecurity solutions. But protecting your and your customers’ data is crucial — and less difficult than you may think.

Protect and scan computer virus attack with shield icon.

Dr. Jay’s Mastering Cyber Podcast: What is cybercrime?

Cybercriminals try to trick you into thinking they are someone who can be trusted to gain access to your sensitive data.

Man wearing hoodie, working on a laptop.

Dr. Jay’s Mastering Cyber Podcast: Tech-lingo

It’s easy for techtalk to go over our heads. Take a minute to learn important terms you really should know and understand.

A digital background consisting of it business word cloud.

Five cybersecurity basics for small businesses

Watch this 90-second video to learn the top five cybersecurity tips for your small business.

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Common cybersecurity misconceptions held by small and medium-sized organizations

Knowledge is your first line of defense to protect your small business against cyberthreats. Make this myth-debunking article a must-read for all employees, not only those managing your business’s IT.

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AUTHENTICATION

Small business secure in 60 seconds: Use strong passwords

Learn how using strong, unique passwords on every device, application and online account is your first defense against cybercriminals. 

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Weak passwords

81% of hacking-related breaches are the result of weak or stolen passwords. Discover how hackers take advantage of that fact.

Password box in internet browser.

Using passwords to protect your devices and data

Following safe password standards is an effective way to control access to your devices, data and online services.

Man using phone on couch while relaxing.

Small business secure in 60 seconds: Multi-factor authentication

Learn how multifactor authentication adds an extra layer of protection to ensure the security of your business’s online accounts beyond just a username and password. 

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The importance of using MFA

Set up multi-factor authentication to decrease the chance of experiencing a cyberattack.

Woman using two devices in home office.

Multi-factor authentication

Using multi-factor authentication is a simple, effective way to keep hackers out of your devices, data and online accounts.

Phone password lock for mobile cyber security.

PHISHING

Small business secure in 60 seconds: Exercise caution against phishing

Learn how to recognize and react appropriately to potential phishing attempts so you don’t get hooked.

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Help prevent phishing attacks

Did you know that 93% of data breaches begin with one phishing email? Learn how to reduce the risk of phishing attacks.

An iPhone and a tablet.

Malicious emails

Malicious emails target specific people within a business, using phishing to get recipients to click on malware attached to trustworthy-looking messages.

Computer engineer writing a code to protect and block spam email.

Software updates

Small business secure in 60 seconds: Update software

Outdated software on smartphones, computers and applications is a cybercriminal’s dream. Regular software updates are digital armor providing patches for known vulnerabilities.

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Dr. Jay’s Mastering Cyber Podcast: Keep your software up to date

Be sure to update your software on devices and apps that don’t update automatically — ensuring you have the latest security patches.

Data transfer on a mobile phone.

Software updates and business security training

Learn how to boost your digital immunity against threats such as viruses, spyware and more when you keep your systems updated.

Woman watching training session on laptop.

Test Your Cyber Readiness

What is your cyber readiness level?

Do you talk to your employees about cybersecurity? Do you know what a patching update is? Answer these and other questions to determine your cyber readiness and access the free Cyber Readiness Program.

Woman taking a quize on a tablet.

Phishing quiz

Time for a phishing expedition! Take this quiz to see if you can spot when you’re being phished. It’s harder than you think.

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Cybersecurity assessment for small and medium-sized businesses

Answer 15 questions about how well your business follows cybersecurity best practices, and receive a free report containing information to help you improve the cybersecurity of your business.

Coming soon

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Best practices

Small business secure in 60 seconds: Backup data securely and regularly

Securely backing up and storing your critical data allows you to keep your business running after a data breach or ransomware attack. 

Server room data center backup.

Cyber readiness tips and guidelines

The security of your data and systems has a huge impact on your business and customers. You and your employees should follow these tips and guidelines to create a culture of cyber readiness.

Confident small-business owner standing in a office with a tablet.

Dr. Jay’s Mastering Cyber Podcast: Protecting your online privacy

Limit the personal information you share on websites to the bare minimum, and make sure each website’s URL starts with “https,” which means it is a secure website.

Man contemplating at computer screen in office.

Dr. Jay’s Mastering Cyber Podcast: Change all of your passwords

All it takes is making these three smart changes this year to keep your password — and your business — more secure.

Data with encrypted computer code.

Dr. Jay’s Mastering Cyber Podcast: Beware of USBs

Next time you notice a USB stick kicking around and find yourself curious as to its contents, think twice before popping it into your USB drive. Dr. Jay explains why.

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How to recover from password exposure

Learn steps you can take to recover from unauthorized password exposure.

Close up of  hands typing on a laptop with security alert overlay.

Free training and tools

Cyber basics for small business training

This free three-week training series is designed to help small businesses take a series of basic practical steps that will help prevent the most common forms of cyberattack.

Cyber readiness institute Mastercard event.

Cyber Readiness Program

The Cyber Readiness Program can help you protect your data, your employees, your vendors and your customers. This free online program is designed to help small and medium businesses become more secure against today’s most common cyber vulnerabilities.

Smiling woman on tablet orange sweater.

Patching policy

It’s vital that laptops, cell phones and company servers be regularly patched against vulnerabilities to protect your data, systems and networks.

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Check websites and links

Check websites or links before you click to learn if they are legitimate or a damaging scam or phishing attempt.

Over the shoulder shot of woman using website checker tool on laptop.

Why should you use safe words?

Artifical intelligence (AI) can be used for good and bad purposes. Don’t let a deepfake scam catch you, your coworkers or your family in a costly scam.

Worried looking mother on phone.

What to do if your business Facebook is hacked

This article can help your business securely use social media platforms, like Facebook, to connect with customers and build brand loyality.

Stressed looking man working in home office.

Understanding cyber risk for small businesses

Take this free course from the Global Cyber Alliance to learn more about cyber risks and how to protect your small business.

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The Cyber Readiness Program

The Cyber Readiness Program guides small and medium-sized businesses to become cyber ready. Completing this free program will make your organization safer, more secure and stronger against cyberthreats.

A mature businesswoman looking at a laptop.

1. Mastercard Proprietary Research: Global Foresights, Insights and Analytics: SME Cybersecurity 2025 

The Mastercard Trust Center includes links to curated education, resources and tools from trusted external sources. Once you access a third-party site, you are subject to their terms and policies on privacy and personal data processing. Mastercard will not be liable for your interaction with a third-party site. We recommend you read the information set out in the third party’s website carefully. For more information, see U.S. Terms of Use and Global Data Privacy Policy.