## 5 Discussion
Technical expertise tends to lean towards traditional cybersecurity solutions, and SMEs often lack the in-house technical expertise required to implement and maintain ML-based solutions. There exist financial constraints that make the cost of implementing and maintaining ML-based solutions financially challenging for some SMEs. There is also a need for third-party vendor cooperation, and a lack of cooperation from these vendors selling ML-based solutions can create additional barriers. The evolving threat landscape is one of the biggest challenges in the constantly innovating threat landscape. Attackers develop new methods of intrusion that may not follow patterns detectable by current ML algorithms. Cost and aggressive sales highlight  
the high cost of ML-based solutions, coupled with aggressive sales tactics from vendors, which can further discourage SMEs from adopting them. Last but not least, is the general awareness or lack of awareness about the potential benefits of using ML for cybersecurity among some SMEs. These challenges highlight the need for a multi-pronged approach. Better education and awareness programs can empower SMEs to understand the benefits of both traditional and ML-based cybersecurity solutions. Financial support programs and government initiatives can help SMEs overcome resource constraints. Finally, fostering greater vendor cooperation and developing user-friendly interfaces for ML-based solutions can make them more accessible to SMEs. By addressing these challenges, we can bridge the gap between the growing landscape of cybersecurity resources and the ability of SMEs to effectively implement them, ultimately creating a more secure digital environment for all. The escalating prominence of cybersecurity threats has fueled the commercialization of various tools and programs aimed at boosting awareness among organizations. Numerous entities are actively developing and profiting from educational platforms, training modules, and tailored awareness campaigns specifically designed for SMEs. Commercially driven training companies can exemplify this trend by offering comprehensive cybersecurity awareness training that can be customized to the specific needs of smaller businesses. These scalable and accessible programs allow SMEs to improve their cybersecurity posture without incurring significant expenses in infrastructure or personnel. The monetization of cybersecurity awareness extends beyond training materials. Specialized software solutions are being developed to automate security training and simulate phishing attacks. These software solutions help businesses test and solidify their employees' awareness and response capabilities. As previous research highlighted, the commercial sector's involvement in cybersecurity training has significantly bolstered the availability and quality of resources for SMEs. [PERSON]'s (2023) research [3] underscores the critical need for more targeted and accessible cybersecurity awareness programs specifically tailored to the unique needs and limitations of SMEs. Some key recommendations to address this could include the following:  
Figure 19 further advocates recommendations for SMEs to be able to develop an SME-Centric Training Program, which is meticulously crafted to address the distinct  
Figure 18: SME challenges (Author’s vision). challenges faced by SMEs. Accessibility is paramount, with online platforms being a prime delivery method. Collaborative support from the Government and Industry could subsidize training costs and provide SMEs with readily available resources. Simplifying the language and concepts used in cybersecurity training enhances information accessibility for non-experts within SMEs. Additionally, continuous awareness campaigns could be the answer to keeping SME owners and employees informed about the ever-evolving cyber threat landscape and the paramount importance of cybersecurity.