Cyber Wardens Research Shows Stark Divide in Small Business Cyber Readiness
New research from the Australian Council of Small Business Organizations and the Cyber Wardens program reveals that only half of Australian businesses view cyber security as a high risk.
The Council of Small Business Organizations of Australia and the Cyber Wardens program have released new research into the state of cyber preparedness in small businesses, and the results show the country has a long way to go.
Of the nearly 2,100 small businesses surveyed by COSBOA, only half consider cybersecurity a high-risk issue, while 45 percent consider cybersecurity a low or non-existent risk.
Additionally, 61 percent of small businesses surveyed do not talk to their staff about cybersecurity issues, while only four in ten small businesses have little or no confidence when it comes to actually responding to a cybersecurity incident.
Fortunately, 86 percent of small businesses are interested in doing more and keeping cybersecurity as simple as possible. According to Luke Achterstraat, CEO of COSBOA, that’s exactly where the Cyber Wardens program comes into play.
“This new data shows us that small businesses simply cannot fall into the trap of thinking they are too small to be targeted by cybercriminals,” Achterstraat said in a statement.
“It is important for small businesses to be aware of the increasingly serious risk of cyber attacks. COSBOA’s Cyber Wardens program can help provide small business owners with the skills needed to help mitigate risks.
“Investing in cybersecurity training and tools is essential to help protect your small business, your staff, and your customers. With Cyber Wardens we have made training easy and free for small businesses.”
Rebecca Warren, executive managing director of small business banking at CommBank, said time management is a key factor that needs to be addressed.
“We know that small businesses are very time-poor and this can make them an easier target for cybercriminals.” Warren said.
“Cybersecurity can seem very complex, so it is easy to see why some find it overwhelming, which is why education is crucial to helping people realize the dangers that exist and how to protect themselves against them.
“At Commonwealth Bank, we are working hard to raise awareness among our customers about cyber threats, scams and fraud.
“One of the ways we do this is through our partnership with COSBOA and the Cyber Wardens program, which aims to upskill small businesses in cybersecurity.”
To learn more about the Cyber Wardens program, visit https://cyberwardens.com.au/.