Praethorus: Cybersecurity for Swiss SMEs
The Praethorus Story: Behind the Scenes of Cybersecurity Designed for Swiss SMEs
Cyberattacks are everywhere, affecting not only large companies but also small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). In Switzerland, SMEs are the beating heart of the economy, where jobs and innovation flourish. Yet, this does not protect them from cyberattacks, which often leave them defenseless-especially against increasingly sophisticated cybercriminals. The Praethorus solution was created to address this precise challenge.
The Unsung Heroes of the Swiss Economy
SMEs make up more than 99% of Switzerland’s economic fabric. They generate two-thirds of the country’s jobs, embody local innovation, and ensure regional vitality. They are the backbone of a decentralized, resilient, and deeply rooted economy.
Yet, in terms of cybersecurity, they often move forward without a safety net. The reasons: limited resources, low IT staff availability, and solutions that are often too complex or expensive.
So, they improvise-installing consumer antivirus software, raising staff awareness “as best they can,” and relying on luck. This structural fragility exposes them to risk.
As digital transformation accelerates, SMEs are digitizing services, migrating to the cloud, and automating logistics. But this modernization also creates new vulnerabilities. It is in this gray area-between digital ambition and protection gaps-that cybercriminals operate.
Praethorus by ELCASecurity. Swiss cybersecurity, designed for those who make Switzerland thrive.
When Cyberattacks Strike
When an attack occurs, it’s already too late. SMEs, lacking business continuity plans or crisis teams, are caught off guard. Attack types are varied: targeted phishing, ransomware, data theft, email compromise. Human error is often the entry point-a careless click, a weak password, an infected file.
On average, a Swiss SME hit by a cyber incident experiences a business interruption of 3 to 5 days, with direct and indirect costs that can exceed tens of thousands of francs. Beyond the financial shock, there is trauma, loss of trust, and reputational damage.
The Birth of Praethorus
In response, ELCA, Switzerland’s leading independent IT company, chose not to remain a bystander. In 2023, it launched an ambitious project: to design a cybersecurity solution specifically for Swiss SMEs-not a stripped-down version of a large enterprise product, nor a marketing gadget, but a real, accessible, durable, and practical protection tool.
This ambition gave birth to Praethorus. From day one, development was hands-on: interviews with SME leaders, co-creation workshops, real-world testing. From features to interface, this tool is tailored to the daily realities of small businesses that lack time and IT teams but need high reliability.
Human-Scale Technology
Praethorus is built on three pillars: simplicity, robustness, and discretion. Its design follows a “privacy by design” approach: no unnecessary data is collected. Deployment takes just a few minutes. Usage is intuitive and requires no heavy training.
Behind this apparent simplicity lies real power: proactive threat detection, intelligent alert escalation, and automated first responses. Instead of a complex monitoring console, it acts as a co-pilot-quietly but effectively watching over the business.
“Our companies finally feel they’re not alone,” “Since Praethorus was implemented, we sleep better.” That’s what our client companies say.
In short, cybersecurity becomes a reflex, not a source of anxiety.
Taking Back Control
With Praethorus, SMEs are no longer victims. They regain control:
- Fewer critical incidents
- Improved responsiveness to early signs of attack
- Time savings for teams
- 24/7 support in case of a cyber incident
But beyond the numbers, a new sense of calm sets in. SMEs can refocus on their core business, without having to become cybersecurity experts.
Protecting What Matters
With Praethorus, ELCA also embodies a vision: Swiss digital sovereignty that includes all businesses, especially those that often work in the shadows to keep the country running.
ELCA is committed to continuing to develop Praethorus with SMEs, for SMEs-expanding its capabilities, refining its alerts, and broadening its scope, while remaining true to its primary mission: making cybersecurity accessible, local, and human.
Because protecting the Swiss economy means first protecting SMEs-the ones who innovate, employ, and represent our regions.
Praethorus by ELCASecurity. Swiss cybersecurity, designed for those who make Switzerland thrive.
Contact our Cyber Security Expert
Fabrice GUYE
Vice-President ELCASecurity
Connect with Fabrice GUYE, Vice President of ELCASecurity, to explore how his expertise can strengthen and advance your cybersecurity strategy.