62% of SMEs have been the victim of cybercrime

Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) make up 99% of all Australian businesses and employ about half of the overall workforce in Australia. It’s therefore essential to our economy and national security that SMEs embrace all the opportunities of the digital economy, while maintaining good cyber security.

Unfortunately, too many Australian SMEs have a low level of awareness and ability when it comes to cyber security and become an easy target for cybercriminals. According to the Australian Cyber Security Centre:

• 62% of SMEs have been the victim of cybercrime
• 1 in 5 SMEs don’t know what the term “phishing” means
• Almost half of SMEs reported they spend less than $500 a year on cyber security
• Almost half of SMEs rated their cyber security understanding as average or below average and had poor cyber security practices

Through our Cyber123 for SMEs program, CyberCX is working with small to medium sized businesses across Australia, to improve the cyber skills of SMEs and their employees.

Cyber123 for SMEs will deliver an uplift in cyber security awareness for participating SMEs, plus specific technical improvements in cyber posture, combined with improved organisational resilience against current and emerging cyber threats.

The program will include on-demand training content available online, including animated videos, infographics and guides, designed for rapid improvements in cyber resilience.

This content will be complemented by expert-led workshops rolling out at in-person events across the country, as well as online training delivered by instructors.

Training materials will be tailored to SMEs across a wide range of industries and personnel roles, from the shopfront to the boardroom to the warehouse – and beyond. Everyone involved in helping run a business has a role to play in helping the business stay cyber secure.

In delivering the Cyber123 for SMEs program, CyberCX is partnering with the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources to provide cost effective support for SMEs. Don’t miss out – register your business with the program by 31 October 2021 to secure your spot and start improving your cyber skills.

If you own or work for an Australian business with fewer than 200 employees, you can sign up to participate in the Cyber123 for SMEs program by registering your details below.