PAJU — The Gyeonggido Business and Science Accelerator is stepping up support for small and mid-sized companies adopting cloud-based security services, known as SECaaS, to shield them from increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. The agency aims to build a tighter digital defense for smaller firms that sit in an information-security blind spot because they lack specialized staff and funding.
The agency said on the 21st that it is accepting applications through the end of November for its 2026 information protection support program for ICT small and mid-sized companies, which covers up to 80% of the cost of adopting SECaaS, capped at 3.6 million won. The program is overseen by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Internet & Security Agency, with the accelerator's Gyeonggi Information Protection Support Center serving as the regional implementing body. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis and will close early if the budget is exhausted.
Ransomware and supply-chain attacks have been spreading indiscriminately across industries, yet smaller companies remain largely defenseless because they cannot afford expensive security infrastructure or dedicated personnel.
Rather than requiring firms to build their own security systems, which demands heavy upfront investment, the program uses a cloud model that lets companies select only the security functions they need over the internet, sharply lowering their cost burden.
Eligibility is limited to small and mid-sized companies based in Gyeonggi Province. Priority goes to firms that hold personal data, those in regional strategic industries such as artificial intelligence, extended reality/metaverse, and manufacturing, and companies that have previously suffered security breaches. Selected firms pay only 20% of the service price plus value-added tax.
The accelerator has previously offered information protection consulting and IT security packages to help create a safer business environment for companies in the province. It plans to further strengthen the Gyeonggi Information Protection Support Center's role as a regional control tower for information security, providing security solutions, breach prevention training and tailored consulting.
"Cybersecurity goes beyond simple IT management and has become a core management factor that determines a company's sustainability," said Kim Hyun-gon, head of the accelerator. "We will spare no effort in supporting information protection so that small and mid-sized companies in the province can respond preemptively to cyber threats and focus on their business with confidence."
Companies interested in applying can review the announcement on the Korea Internet & Security Agency's regional information protection support center website and apply online.