Security awareness for SMEs
Small and medium-sized businesses are an attractive target for cybercriminals, not despite their size, but precisely because of it. Lumyo offers an affordable, ready-to-deploy security awareness programme built specifically for SMEs. No large IT projects, no installations, no technical expertise required.
Why are SMEs a popular target?
Cybercriminals deliberately choose small and medium-sized businesses. Their technical security is on average less advanced than at large organisations, their processes are more informal and there is rarely a dedicated cybersecurity team. That makes SMEs easier to reach and quicker to harm.
An employee at an SME handles emails, pays invoices, manages purchasing and answers customer requests - often all within the same morning. That makes it harder to critically assess every message. Phishing attacks exploit this cleverly: they play on time pressure, authority and trust.
Note: an attack hits an SME relatively hard, precisely because there is usually no dedicated security team to recover quickly.
What does a security awareness programme for SMEs involve?
An effective security awareness programme for SMEs consists of several components that together bring about lasting behaviour change - without a big investment in time or technical infrastructure.
E-learning modules
Short modules of 10 to 15 minutes on phishing, password security, social engineering and safe working. At their own pace, on any device, without installations.
Phishing simulation
A baseline measurement with a phishing simulation shows how many employees would currently click a phishing email.
Reporting
Insight into click rates, module completion rates and knowledge test scores. Usable for NIS2 compliance, ISO 27001 audits and cyber insurance applications.
Repetition
New scenarios every six months keep employees sharp. Threats change continuously; so does your training.
What does security awareness training deliver for SMEs?
A structural programme is aimed first of all at a lower click rate in phishing simulations after a full training programme. But the aim reaches further:
- Employees report suspicious messages faster and more often to the right person
- CEO fraud and invoice scams are recognised sooner because employees know what to look for
- The IT team (or external IT partner) responds faster to incidents because reports come in earlier
- Demonstrable measures for NIS2 compliance, ISO 27001 and cyber insurance policies
- Lower chance of ransomware infections resulting from an employee's click
- A stronger security culture: employees feel jointly responsible for cyber security
Perspective: The human factor plays a role in 62% of data breaches (Verizon DBIR 2026) and phishing is the most common initial access route at 17% (IBM, Cost of a Data Breach 2026). That is precisely the part a training programme addresses.
Costs: what does a security awareness programme for SMEs cost?
Lumyo works with fixed prices per employee, from € 1.50 per month. There are no large licence fees or multi-year contracts if you do not want them. The rates:
- Phishing simulations: € 1.50 per employee per month (€ 18 per year), with 10 campaigns spread over the year.
- Awareness training: € 3 per employee per month (€ 36 per year), available from the launch of the training platform.
- Training and phishing together: € 4.50 per employee per month (€ 54 per year).
- Onboarding and minimum: A one-off € 350 onboarding. Every annual programme has a minimum of € 250 per year. Standard reporting is always included.
A worked example and all cost factors are in our article on the costs of security awareness training. Get in touch if you want to know what it costs for your organisation.
Why Lumyo for SME security awareness?
Lumyo is built specifically for organisations of 20 to 250 employees that do not have a large IT department but do want to take cyber security seriously. That shows in everything: the length of the modules, the tone of the content, the simplicity of the rollout and the affordability of the programme.
- No installations or technical setup: employees start straight away via a link
- Modules of 10-15 minutes that fit any work schedule, even for busy employees
- Content in clear language, without jargon
- Reporting you can use yourself for NIS2, ISO 27001 and cyber insurance applications
- Phishing simulations and training from a single source
Want to know more about the content of our phishing training? Read the article on phishing training for employees: how to approach it.
Frequently asked questions about security awareness for SMEs
Why are SMEs a target for phishing?
Small and medium-sized businesses are attractive to cybercriminals because their technical security is on average less advanced and there is rarely a dedicated security team. Employees combine multiple tasks, which makes it harder to critically assess every message.
Do small businesses need an IT department for security awareness training?
No. Lumyo is built specifically for organisations without an internal IT department. No installations or technical setup are required. Employees complete the modules on any device at their own pace. Lumyo handles the rollout and reporting.
How quickly can we start?
After a short intake conversation and creating your employee list, the first modules can be rolled out within a few days. There are no lengthy implementation projects or installations required.
How do I know whether security awareness training works?
Through click rates in phishing simulations before and after training, report rates and knowledge test scores. Lumyo provides reporting that is directly usable for NIS2 compliance, ISO 27001 audits and cyber insurance applications.
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Whether you have 5 or 500 employees - there is a suitable solution for every business.
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