Use the Australian Cyber Security Centre's anonymous Cyber Health Check tool to generate a tailored action plan with customised advice to help you improve your cyber security.
Each year, more than one million Australians are impacted by scams, cybercrime and identity theft. For small businesses, cyber vulnerabilities can have a devastating impact.
Have you ever thought about how much of your business information is stored on a smart phone, computer or online? What would happen if you lost access to that information or it became compromised in an identity scam or data breach? How about if someone gained access to your social media accounts and locked you out?
Small businesses are a prime target for cybercriminals but often put off implementing cyber protections due to lack of time. But this comes at a cost. According to the Australian Cyber Security Centre, cyber related crimes on average cost small business owners $49,600.
October is Cyber Security Awareness Month, which for 21 years, has been raising awareness about the importance of staying safe online. The theme for this year, Building our cyber safe culture, focuses on turning cyber security into a habit, not just a one time task.
How could my business be affected?
Cybercrime, particularly data breaches or identity fraud, doesn’t just harm small businesses – it affects their customers, suppliers, and the wider community that relies on them.
Data shows that most small businesses don’t have a data breach response plan, and small business owners take 20 per cent longer than individuals to respond to a cyber incident, giving criminals more time to cause damage.
What should you do to be cyber safe?
The most important thing to remember when thinking about cyber security is that the quicker you act to improve your safety online, the safer you are. Cyber security should always be a priority for you and your business.
Luckily, there are plenty of simple, low cost and practical steps you can take to strengthen your defences against cyber threats, including:
- Using strong, unique passwords
- Turning on multi-factor authentication
- Staying alert to scams
- Regularly backing up your data
- Keeping your operating systems updated
- Securing your devices and networks.
Find out more about these steps on our cyber security page.
Action to take
Free government cyber security support
Small business owners can access free support via the Australian Government’s Small Business Cyber Resilience Service, which is delivered by IDCare - Australia and New Zealand’s national not-for-profit scam, identity and cyber support service. This includes:
- free cyber health checks to measure cyber resilience and identify risks
- one on one consultations with cyber advisers offering tailored, practical guidance
- access to cyber psychology support for those experiencing stress and emotional impacts from cybercrime
- ongoing resources, tips, and action plans to lift cyber maturity.
These services are free for small businesses with 19 or fewer full time equivalent employees.
The Cyber Wardens program, provided by the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA), also provides a range of cyber safe information and online training tailored to small business.
How do I access the Small Business Cyber Resilience Service?
Whether you are currently experiencing a cyber security incident, or you just want to build your business’s cyber resilience, the National Business Cyber Resilience Service’s get help form will direct you to the support you need.
If your enquiry is urgent, you can also contact the incident response hotline on 1800 595 170 to access support from the National Case Management Centre and Incident Response Team, including a guided response plan to help you through your situation.
The Small Business Cyber Resilience Service also provides:
- access to a cyber adviser for support tailored to your needs
- cyber first aid following an intrusion or remote access event
- wellbeing support to help you or your staff manage stress after a cyber incident
- a secure online portal with assessment results, resilience tips, and next steps
- tailored online content including easy to follow resources to help you stay one step ahead of cyber threats.
Next steps to boost your cyber security
The Australian Cyber Security Centre's Cyber Health Check tool to help you identify any gaps and strengthen your defences against cyber threats.
You should also consider creating a cyber security policy, to outline acceptable of devices and information by your employees as well as how to detect and respond to a cyber security incident in your business.
Other helpful resources
- Is your business at risk of a data breach?
- Beware of business email compromise scams
- Protect your business from scammers
- Beware of fake government service scams
- Access more cyber security resources via our cyber security page
