Small businesses eligible for cyber security health check grants

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Kate Carnell, welcomed the commencement of the grants process for small businesses to access cyber security testing, under the Cyber Security Small Business Program, on Monday.

“Depending on the number of devices tested, the maximum grant amount is $2,100 or up to 50 per cent of eligible project costs. The tests will be carried out by providers approved by the council of Registered Ethical Security Testers Australia New Zealand”, Ms Carnell said.

Cyber criminals are becoming more sophisticated and Australian statistics show more cyber attacks are hitting small businesses.

“It has been estimated that cyber crime costs Australians more than $1 billion a year,” Ms Carnell noted.

“Research also shows around one in five small businesses report they have been the target of a cyber attack and over half (56 per cent) either don’t have cyber crime protection or assume it is covered through their business insurance.

“Small businesses need to understand their anti-virus software only provides a certain level of protection, opening themselves up to loss of data, compromised financial security and identity theft.

“I encourage small businesses to check their eligibility on the Cyber Security Small Business Program website and apply for a cyber security health check as soon as possible.”

Ms Carnell advised that small business owners make sure they are aware of cyber risks and have measures in place to prevent and respond to attacks.

“This includes drawing up an online security plan, ensuring their point-of-sale systems are protected, backing-up their data and implementing robust password practices,” she concluded.

“A good starting point to help busy small business owners understand the risks and how to prevent cyber attacks is our Cyber Security Best Practice Guide.”