Your company’s data is the lifeblood for your business – Are you protecting it?

Famous last words? It won’t happen to my company.

With data fast outpacing oil as the world’s most valuable asset, it’s never been more important to make sure your company’s critical information is secure.

One single breach could cost you more than just the loss of your data. The implications are long and far reaching, from an inability to get your company back online, a huge and sudden expense on expert resources, all the way to dealing with reputational damage causing a loss in business and severely impacting your bottom line. Your data could even be held ransom.

Hacking is a predicament that over 52% of global companies have now experienced.

With the onset of Covid-19, businesses across the globe have been pushed at a phenomenal pace to become wholly reliant on sturdy IT systems and a remote infrastructure. In this increasingly connected world, your customers de-serve the right strategic security solution. Because cybercrime that impacts you, is a threat to them too.

77% of global organisations are not ready for a cyber security incident. And if they succumb to one, it can take any-thing up to 6 months to detect.

Don’t become the statistic. Take action now.

Penetration Testing

Test your tech for vulnerabilities. Knowing your company’s weak spots in advance gives you time to effectively secure your data infrastructure.

Phishing as a service

Your staff might be your weakest link. Test their ability to spot and flag phishing emails, before they accidentally open the door to hackers and your data.

Cloud Security Assessment

Migrating to the cloud is an arduous task. Security might be the last bullet point on your migration checklist, or even left completely out in favour of operability. Assess your cloud infrastructure and identify your security holes before malicious attackers do.

Cyber Awareness Training

Lower the risk of human error. Give your staff the knowledge and the power to stop cybercrime in its tracks by show-ing them the latest threats and teaching them how to be the first line of defence wherever they are – even if working remotely.

Risk and Vulnerability Assessment

Put your company’s infrastructure in a resilient position, with this view of your infrastructure risk land-scape. Assess the specific threats your business’ infrastructure might face and discover the solutions that will ensure your data is protected.

 

Let’s talk.

Enjoy 10% Off with the promo code CYBERGATEOCT20.

Email Cybergate on or call on 79776644.

www.cybergateinternational.com

BioNTech/Pfizer and European Commission reach coronavirus vaccine deal

Balance and Sensitivity should be our priority to survive the current crises – Initiatives for Valletta are not events

“Initiatives for Valletta are not events”

Valletta businesses have had a very bad year due to Covid, much worse than that experienced in any other locality. A good number have had to close and let people go. Calling it a day is a very hard decision, and the repercussion of such decisions and being very underestimated today. Waking up not having a job to go to is a very harsh reality with devastating effects on the person and the family.

The Capital city is ideal for many reasons during the current times. It has large open-air spaces and in total Valletta covers a significant area. People are still finding ways to enjoy the outdoors and Valletta is currently safe and under-utilised. Highlighting this function of Valletta and giving the families, seeking to enjoy some quality time safely, a small token of encouragement in terms of free parking is very balanced and sensitive in the current times.

Hopefully a solution through the vaccine is fast approaching and one will be able to return to an increased level of normality, however in the meantime we must be balanced and sensitive to avoid severe repercussions.

People want to go on living their life safely and it is the duty of the Government to provide such a space with the best possible conditions to do so. It is also the duty of the Government to sustain Valletta and private operators in this great time of need.

No Notte Bianca or event-like activity was announced yesterday. Some Christmas lights and kids choir can hardly be referred to as an activity, let alone an event. The Health Authorities have been consulted and there are clear protocols that must be followed. Apart from this everyone has his own responsibilities to follow and the authorities have their important function to address anyone acting in disregard. A few bad apples cannot steal away everyone else’s enjoyment of the Christmas spirit.

Needless to say the SME Chamber is categorically against any irresponsibility and breach of health regulations. Health and the economy are not against each other. Quite to the contrary they go hand-in-hand and we will continue being against any attempts to upset this balance from either side.

Balanced efforts by government to help Valletta Business and save Christmas welcome

Visitors to Valletta will be able to enjoy free parking

 

2020 has changed life as we know it and adapting has proven very hard for everyone, including businesses. Valletta establishments have been hit very hard by the pandemic being very dependent on tourists and cruise liners.

Valletta is having to reinvent itself to survive the crises and make the most of the opportunity it has to showcase the gem it is.

The Malta Chamber of SMEs therefore welcomes the support of the Tourism Ministry, the MTA, the Valletta Cultural Agency and the Ministry for Culture for accepting our views on the matter, in representation of the business community in Valletta, and supporting with key measures that will constitute the necessary lifeline for Valletta.

Valletta has during the recent years undergone a massive regeneration process and today it not only houses top brands and exquisite eateries but it is a true destination for its visitors.

With its large open spaces, beautiful architecture and museums, Valletta will be an ideal spot to get into the Christmas spirit while following safety protocols. Valletta will offer the necessary safe outing many families are hoping to enjoy this festive season.

Visitors to Valletta will be able to enjoy free parking on the following days:

– 27th November (Black Friday)
– 8th December (Feast)
– 13th December (Feast)
– 19th December – 1st January

The capital city will be beautifully decorated once again this Christmas. Apart from this however, visitors will also be able to enjoy a number of regular activities taking place at different areas in Valletta, making the experience even more memorable.

SME Chamber CEO Abigail Mamo stated that ‘Christmas is too much of an important period to be missed and that this initiative strikes the right balance between adapting to the new normal and staying safe while still enjoying life.’

Tourism Minister Julia Farrugia Portelli emphasized on the importance to sustain industry in these difficult times and that this certainly includes Valletta as the main tourism hub. With a 50,000 investment by the MTA, the government will be boosting local tourism for the capital.

Valletta Cultural Agency Chairman Jason Micallef stated that Covid will not kill Christmas and while following the full health protocols the initiative intends to still deliver Christmas to families and visitors, in a bit of a different, yet still beautiful and very enjoyable way this year.

 

Promoting your Black Friday Offers – Encouraging consumers to shop locally

Black Friday with the Malta Chamber of SMEs

Once again this year the Malta Chamber of SMEs is organising an official launch of Black Friday and we intend to give as much exposure as possible to local businesses and offers.

This year we will however be more sensitive to Covid and we will also focus on helping consumers plan ahead.

Participating and benefitting from this FREE promotion is very easy. All you will need to send is:

 

  • Logo (ideally vector format)

  • Sector (types of goods sold overall)

  • Locality/ies you are based in

  • Dates of Black Friday Offers

  • Opening hours on Black Friday

  • Offers available online Yes/No

  • Delivery service available Yes/No

Kindly send this information on 

Have you spotted our billboards?

A campaign on the benefits of social dialogue

“The Malta Chamber of SMEs was the only entity that contacted us during the pandemic to ask about our needs”

Following the launch of our rebranding in January and the new website in September, the Malta Chamber is now launching a new campaign on Malta’s roads.

Part of a wider campaign supported by EU Funds, the Malta Chamber of SMEs launched a billboard campaign on Monday which shall continue throughout November and December with testimonials by various members of the SME Chamber.
The first two testimonials launch are of Antoinette Doneo, Director at Doneo Co Ltd. stating that the Malta Chamber of SMEs was the only entity that contacted them during the pandemic to ask about their needs, and Tonio Camilleri, CEO of C. Camilleri & Sons Ltd, the oldest company of Camilleri Group, dating back to 1843, saying that without the backing of the SME Chamber, they would not be standing where they are today.

This campaign is an outreach effort that highlights the benefits of social dialogue and that being united with one voice benefits businesses directly.

Other testimonials will be published in the coming weeks.

Extension of temporary relief for customs duties and VAT on goods needed to combat Covid-19

The Customs Department would like to inform you that the European Commission decided to prolong, by six (6) months, up to 30th April 2021, the temporary relief for customs duties and VAT (COMMISSION DECISION (EU) 2020/491 of 3 April 2020) on the import of medical devices and protective equipment from third countries in order to help in the fight against coronavirus.

For additional clarification, kindly contact Director Compliance & Systems, Mr Alan Mamo (Tel: 25685110 or email: ).

Jobsplus issues 3rd call of the Access to Employment Aid Scheme

The A2E Scheme has been re-designed to make it simpler to benefit from Employment Aid.
The A2E Scheme is co-financed by the European Social Fund (ESF), the Maltese Government and the Employers.
This Scheme is manged by Jobsplus and falls under Malta’s Operational Programme II of the ESF – ‘Investing in human capital to create more opportunities and promote the wellbeing of society’ for the 2014-2020 Programming Period. Under this scheme the Beneficiary is being co-financed for the wages of its employees through the European Social Funds.

The Aid Scheme offers €104 (or €155 for persons with disability) weekly for 52 weeks, 104 weeks or 156 weeks (depending on the employee).

Complete applications must be submitted by the end of September 2023 and recruitment must take place by end  of October 2023. Grant will be awarded on first-come first-served basis, subject to the annual ceilings and total budget.

Complete applications, together with all supporting documentation (if any) must be submitted in full. Applications are to be submitted electronically on

Application form may be downloaded from here.

For more information click here.

 

New Scheme: Tourism workers can now join COVID-19 contact tracing team

A fresh scheme by the Malta Tourism Authority and Malta Enterprise will allow workers left idle due to the pandemic to join Malta’s contact tracing team.

Anyone employed with MTA-licensed businesses, such as bar workers and others affected by the country’s latest COVID-19 restrictions, are encouraged to help with contract-tracing duties as the country continues to battle the virus.

All those involved will receive the €800 wage supplement as well as an extra €5.28 per hour for their work.

All interested businesses are to notify the MTA with a list of their employees.

All interested parties can send an e-mail to not later than 4th November. Alternatively one can call 2169 2447 .