Cyprus offers ...
Cyprus offers €65 000 grants to SMEs in tourism sector to boost cybersecurity readiness
A recent announcement reveals that the Research and Innovation Foundation of Cyprus (RIF), together with the Digital Security Authority (DSA) acting as the national cybersecurity coordination centre, has launched a new Call for Proposals titled “Enhancing Cybersecurity for Small and Medium Enterprises in the Republic of Cyprus 2025 – Tourism”. The Programme offers up to 65,000 in funding (or 75,000 when an “AR-in-a-Box” tool is adopted) to SMEs in tourism that wish to purchase cybersecurity solutions and services. The deadline for applications is 18 November 2025.
The objective: recognising that tourism is a cornerstone of Cyprus’s economy, the authorities want to strengthen the cyber-resilience of tourism businesses (hotels, tour operators, other service-providers) which increasingly rely on digital platforms, payment systems, customer data, connectivity and third-party integrations.
By making cybersecurity reachable for SMEs, the government is attempting to raise the baseline level of protection across the sector, protecting the entire ecosystem from data breaches, service outages, reputational harm and regulatory risk.
The call emphasises that eligible SMEs may purchase both hardware/software solutions and services (such as audits, training, incident response). It is part of a broader national push toward digital transformation and securing the infrastructure underlying key sectors (in this case, tourism).
This initiative is wise and somewhat overdue. Cyprus’s heavy dependence on tourism means that any large-scale cyber-incident affecting hotels, reservations systems or visitor data could have outsized effects , both economically and reputationally. By targeting SMEs, which often lack the budget or expertise to invest in strong cybersecurity, the government is addressing a weak link in the chain.
Moreover, the fact that this measure ties to tourism specifically echoes a recognition that technology and security go hand in hand: it’s not just about having apps or online booking, but making sure what you build is safe and reliable. Strengthening this gives Cyprus a competitive edge , visitors may increasingly prefer destinations they view as digitally secure and well-managed.
That said, funding alone isn’t a panacea. Many SMEs may adopt superficial solutions without embedding a culture of cyber-risk awareness. The value of up-to-date technologies depends on continuous training, updates, threat monitoring. Also, the total budget appears modest relative to the size of the tourism ecosystem; the ripple effect may be limited unless uptake is broad. The government should consider complementary measures , awareness campaigns, mentorship, shared incident response services.
In summary, though, this step signals Cyprus is maturing in its approach to the digital side of the economy: recognising that growth in tourism is not just a matter of more visitors but also better infrastructure and resilience. That bodes well for long-term stability and competitiveness
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