- Small business owners and staff in the Queensland construction industry can soon access free, industry-specific cyber security training.
- Construction businesses will learn to identify cyber threats, reduce financial risks and adopt habits to strengthen cyber security.
- The partnership is a commitment under the Crisafulli Government's Small and Family Business First Action Statement, backed by more than $130 million in additional funding.
Queensland's small and family construction businesses will be the first to access free industry-specific cyber security training.
The training expands on the recent announcement of free cyber security training programs available to all Queensland-based small and family businesses as part of a new partnership between the Crisafulli Government and Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA).
Queensland recorded the highest number of total cyber incidents nationwide in the last financial year, and cyber attacks targeting the construction industry are on the rise.
Specialised webinars and information will soon be available for small and family business in the construction industry with training to help businesses identify:
the biggest cyber security risks targeting small businesses
red flags and warning signs your business is at risk
everyday habits that make you more vulnerable to cyber crime
how to identify cyber security red flags.
The training has been made possible through a partnership between the Crisafulli Government and Cyber Wardens, a national initiative funded by the Australian Government and delivered by COSBOA.
This is a Queensland-first and will allow small business owners, sole traders and staff to become Cyber Wardens, bringing frontline protection against online attacks that threaten their businesses.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering a better lifestyle through a stronger economy by driving positive outcomes for Queensland businesses through its Small and Family Business First Action Statement.
The Statement aims to provide targeted financial support, improve the operating business environment and create more than 120,000 new Queensland businesses over the next seven years.
Minister for Small and Family Business Steve Minnikin emphasised the Government's commitment to protecting small businesses from cyber threats, starting with tailored training for Queensland's construction businesses.
"In Australia, 43 per cent of cybercrimes target small businesses," Minister Minnikin said.
"Our Government is committed to delivering targeted support so businesses can safeguard against these threats.
"Construction is Queensland's largest small and family business sector, making it the ideal starting point for tailored, industry-specific cyber security training.
"The program is designed to be practical and accessible, equipping small business owners and their teams with the skills and the confidence they need to safeguard against cybercrime."
COSBOA chair Matthew Addison said cyber threats weren't just an IT problem but a threat to every small business. "We're proud to partner with the Queensland Government to bring Cyber Wardens training right to the heart of the state's building sites," Mr Addison said.
"Just like donning a hard hat on site to protect you from physical harm, Cyber Wardens is a simple way to help keep your business safe.
"By empowering workers in the construction industry with practical cyber safety skills, we're not only strengthening digital resilience but also safeguarding the projects, jobs, and communities that form Queensland's backbone."
To register for Cyber Wardens training, head to cyberwardens.com.au/gov/qld-gov/#register
