In its bid to ensure that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are protected from losses engendered through lag in cybersecurity, MasterCard Trust Centre has announced partnership plans with Nigerian Financial Technology (Fintech) startup, NowNow to execute its plans.
According to the organisation, the partnership will address the security needs of SMEs by providing them with free resources to educate and improve their cybersecurity ecosystem.
It further stated that the partnership will make the MasterCard Trust Centre more accessible to its SME partner.
Announcing the partnership, Executive Vice President, Product Optimization and Customer Advancement, Cyber and Intelligence at MasterCard, Paul Trueman, decried the surge in cybercrimes in recent times, which according to telecommunication regulatory body, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), costs the country up to $500,000,000 yearly.
In his words: “As we bring the next billion people into the digital economy, it is vital that business owners feel as secure and safe from cybercrime as possible. Our partnership with NowNow is key to achieving this. Whether large or small, businesses deserve the peace of mind to operate knowing that they are being kept safe.”
Also commenting on the partnership, CEO of NowNow, Sahir Berry reiterated the firm’s commitment to financial and digital inclusion for customers in rural and urban communities, using simplified branchless banking initiatives.
“We are excited to partner with the MasterCard Trust Centre to help our customers improve the security of their cyber ecosystem, and better protect themselves from cyber criminals”, he said.
MasterCard stated that it develops partnerships with external businesses such as NowNow, non-profit organisations, and governments to bring its Trust Centre to its partners- SME communities.
