“I manage Dato, a social enterprise in Kon Tum, Vietnam, working with over 500 ethnic-minority households producing herbs and spices. At first, I believed cybersecurity was mainly for large corporations — my focus was on learning digital tools for marketing. But after nearly losing important customer data, I felt vulnerable. When I joined the ACF training, I discovered how even small vulnerabilities could endanger my business and our partner households. I learned how to spot phishing attempts, enable two-factor authentication, and introduce safer file-sharing practices for my team. With these changes, I strengthened our business security and held internal sessions to share what I learned with my staff. Today, I see cybersecurity as an essential foundation for our growth and sustainability — ensuring we can thrive safely in the digital economy.”
"I run Jihad Store, a small business in Khulna, Bangladesh. I used to rely on Gmail for communication and bKash for payments, but I didn’t realize how vulnerable my accounts were because of weak passwords. As I started expanding my business online, this risk made me anxious. When I joined the APAC Cybersecurity Fund training, I discovered that cybersecurity isn’t just for large companies. It’s important for entrepreneurs like me too. I learned how to create stronger, unique passwords and set up two-factor authentication. These simple steps gave me the confidence to manage my digital tools safely. Since then, I’ve started mentoring other women in my community, showing them how to secure their accounts and avoid scams. Today, I can honestly say that the training gives me peace of mind, letting me focus on serving my customers without fear."
“I run an e-commerce business in Rajshahi. One day, I got a call claiming I had won a large cash prize — the “bank official” asked for my mobile wallet PIN to “process” the reward. I was excited but unsure, and almost shared my details before realizing it could be a scam. The experience left me shaken and motivated me to join the ACF training. Before the session, I believed I had little control over such fraud. But during the training, I learned practical ways to protect myself: how to identify phishing calls, block suspicious numbers and strengthen account security. With this new knowledge, I confidently avoided future scams and even began warning my neighbours and fellow business owners about similar tricks. Today, I call the training a turning point — what could have been a costly mistake became an opportunity to build confidence and share protection strategies with my community.”
“I joined the ACF Cyber Clinic as part of my ISRM module, coming from a strong technical background. At first, I viewed cybersecurity purely as a technical challenge—about tools, frameworks, and vulnerabilities. Working with a real software startup during the program completely changed that perspective. I learned that risk assessments aren’t just about ticking boxes; they require understanding how a business actually operates and how security issues can lead to financial loss or reputational damage. One of the most valuable skills I gained was learning how to translate technical risks into simple, practical language that MSME owners can act on. Instead of describing an SQL injection in technical terms, I learned to explain it as a risk of customer data being stolen and trust being broken. The experience taught me that my role isn’t just to find problems, but to help businesses protect themselves in realistic and affordable ways. It transformed the way I see my contribution to the community.”
“As the village headwoman of Khok Lam in Udon Thani, I often felt uncertain about how to manage my digital safety. Like many people in my community, I used to depend on others to set up accounts and passwords — which left me exposed to potential scams. When I joined the ACF training, I thought cybersecurity was beyond my ability. But the course showed me practical steps I could take myself. I learned to create strong passwords, delete unused accounts and safely use apps from the Google Play Store. For the first time, I felt in control of my phone and my online accounts. After the training, I shared my new knowledge on community radio and directly with villagers — encouraging them to adopt the same digital-safety habits. Today, I say the program was an eye-opener that not only secured my own digital life, but empowered me to protect my entire community from online scams.”
“I run a small sustainable fashion enterprise in Sri Lanka, relying heavily on online sales and digital customer engagement. Before joining the ACF Cyber Hygiene Awareness Program, cybersecurity wasn’t part of my business strategy — my focus was on sales and operations, unaware that online threats could directly affect my business continuity and customer relationships. The training taught me practical cybersecurity skills: we enabled two-factor authentication, strengthened password practices, and put in place clear internal guidelines for safer digital communication. These measures helped secure our online platforms, protect client data, and reduce disruptions in digital transactions. When a phishing attempt targeted our network, we identified and responded quickly — preventing financial loss. That incident reinforced how important preparedness is. Now, I conduct regular digital-security reviews, educate staff and partners on safe online practices, and embed cybersecurity into our daily operations. Today, our customers and business are more protected, and our enterprise is more resilient.”
“I run a mobile accessories shop in Dhaka, Bangladesh. One day I received a call claiming I had won a cash reward through a mobile-wallet platform. The caller asked me to send a small “verification” payment — I complied, only to realize later it was a scam. Frustrated and shaken, I decided to join the ACF training. Before that, I believed such scams were unavoidable. But through the program, I learned to spot red flags, strengthen my passwords, and update my phone security. With new confidence, I started educating my customers about safe digital practices whenever they bought mobile products from my shop. The training turned what had been a personal setback into a learning moment — not just for me, but for my entire community. Now, I see myself as an advocate for safer digital practices.”
“I came into the Cyber Clinic with very little exposure to cybersecurity, but a strong interest in how technology can create social impact. I saw the training as a chance to explore something completely new. As I went through the sessions, I was shocked by how vulnerable individuals and organizations can be online, yet also encouraged to see how awareness and simple habits can make a real difference. One of my biggest lessons was learning how to explain cybersecurity in simple language to non-technical people. Even basic steps like spotting phishing attempts or turning on two-factor authentication can significantly strengthen MSMEs’ digital security. Being part of the Cyber Clinic changed how I see my role in the community. I no longer see myself only as a learner, but as an advocate who can share practical knowledge and help others take charge of their own cybersecurity.”
“I run a small clothing enterprise in Pune where much of my customer engagement happens on social media. I always worried that phishing scams or hacked accounts could threaten my business. Before joining the ACF training, I thought security tools were complicated and out of reach. But the program changed my mindset: I learned how to enable two-factor authentication with Google Authenticator, regularly audit my login activities, and stay alert to phishing attempts in direct messages. These simple steps gave me greater peace of mind to continue selling online. Now, I confidently manage my digital presence, share what I have learned with my employees, and encourage other women entrepreneurs in my circle to prioritise cybersecurity.”
“I own Jayalaxmi Paint Shop in Andhra Pradesh. Like many small business owners, I depended on point-of-sale devices for payments — but I was always worried about phishing and account breaches. I believed cybersecurity was too technical for me, unsure how to protect my shop. When I joined the ACF training, my perspective changed. I learned how to spot phishing attempts, enforce strong passwords for employees, and install endpoint protection across our store devices. For the first time, I felt secure running digital transactions. Since then, my shop hasn’t faced a single cyber incident. I now share these practices with my staff and peers — proving that even small shops can build resilience through simple but powerful cybersecurity habits.”
“At NNR Global Logistics, a small logistics firm in Singapore, we often faced phishing attempts. We assumed cybersecurity was an IT-department concern only. Motivated to improve, we joined the ACF Cyber Clinic led by students from Temasek Polytechnic. Through the sessions, we began to re-think cybersecurity as part of our business health, not just a technical issue. We reviewed our password protocols, strengthened device security, and trained staff to identify phishing messages more effectively. Since then, we schedule quarterly security audits — and staff report much greater confidence. Today, we treat cybersecurity as a business priority. That shift has ensured smoother operations and stronger customer trust.”
“I joined the ACF Cyber Clinic training to gain practical experience and apply what I learned in class to real-life situations. Through the program, I developed skills in cybersecurity risk management — conducting assessments, identifying vulnerabilities, and proposing realistic solutions that MSMEs could adopt even with limited resources. My team worked with a small private hospital, where I had to communicate with employees who had little or no technical background. There, I learned how to explain cybersecurity concepts in simple, everyday terms, making it easier for staff to understand why protecting digital assets matters. I also created awareness materials and questionnaires to assess staff understanding after training sessions. This experience strengthened both my technical and communication skills. More importantly, it showed me that many cyber incidents happen not because of advanced attacks, but due to a lack of awareness. Now, I see my role as more than just protecting systems — I want to help build a culture of cybersecurity in my community. Even small awareness-building efforts can make a big difference.”
“I am a small entrepreneur in Jakarta, and one day I received a phone call from someone claiming to be from a state-owned bank. He pressured me to transfer money for an ‘overdue loan’ I never remembered taking. I was scared and confused, but thanks to what I learned in the APAC Cybersecurity Fund training, I recognized the red flags and refused. Before this, I used to think scams were just ‘bad luck,’ but now I understand how they work and how to protect myself. After the training, I strengthened my passwords, turned on two-factor authentication, and started using a password manager to keep my accounts safe. I now share these tips with other women in my MSME group, reminding them to always double-check suspicious requests before acting. The training has been a turning point for me, giving me the confidence to run my business without fear.”
“I’ve been a victim of an online scam before, and I don’t want my family or other Filipinos to go through the same experience. Even though I already knew a bit about online scams, when it happened to me, I realized I still didn’t have the skills to properly analyze and respond to it. That experience pushed me to become a trainer with ACF. Through the program, I aim to equip Filipinos not only with knowledge to prevent cyber threats, but also with practical skills to respond when they are under attack. ACF’s simple and clear approach makes it easy for ordinary people to understand and apply in their daily lives. One moment that stayed with me was when a participant shared that our session changed her definition of ‘tech savvy’—it’s not about using every app, but about protecting yourself and your community. Being part of ACF has strengthened my sense of purpose as a trainer, allowing me to give back by helping MSMEs build the confidence to stay safe online.”
“I grew up in a rural area, where I’ve seen many people fall for online scams simply because they lack awareness and tools to protect themselves. When I was invited to join ACF as a trainer, I accepted immediately. It felt like a meaningful way to help small business owners who rely on social media and online platforms but often don’t know how to stay safe. One of the most eye-opening moments came during a training session in a rural community, when I realized many participants thought device updates were harmful or unnecessary. I explained that updates provide important security fixes and guided them through the process step by step. Some updated their phones for the first time and later shared what they learned with their families. Through ACF, I’ve grown as a trainer, learning how to explain cybersecurity concepts in simple terms and in the Iban language, making each session more engaging and relevant for MSMEs in Kanowit, Sarawak.”
“Through the ACF Cyber Clinic, I discovered how even simple cybersecurity practices can significantly improve safety for small businesses. I was particularly drawn to understanding how online systems work and how they can be better protected. The training taught me how to identify common cyber threats, assess risks, and guide MSMEs on practical steps like securing their accounts, protecting customer data, and building safer digital habits. Seeing business owners grow more confident as they apply these steps has been incredibly rewarding. I realized that cybersecurity isn’t just about complex tools—it’s about clear awareness and consistent practice. Being part of the Cyber Clinic has reshaped how I see my role. I now see myself as an advocate for cybersecurity awareness, helping others take simple, affordable actions to stay safe online and build more resilient businesses.”
“I decided to join the Cyber Clinic because I have a family member studying cybersecurity, and I was fascinated by how differently they viewed technology compared to me. I wanted to understand that mindset. The Cyber Clinic gave me exactly that opportunity. It showed me how the same software or problem can be seen from a completely different angle. During the exercises, we faced unfamiliar systems, hardware issues, and plenty of errors. At times it was frustrating, but it taught me the importance of patience and perseverance. I learned that every problem has a solution—it just takes time and persistence to find it. This mindset is useful not only in cybersecurity, but also in business and daily life, especially for small entrepreneurs. The experience changed how I think about online safety. I am now more aware of the risks we often overlook and feel empowered with practical knowledge to protect myself and others in my community.”
