Small businesses are a step closer to getting more personalised support to help prevent and recover from cyber attacks under the Small Business Cyber Resilience Service.
The Albanese Labor Government is investing $8.1 million over 3 years for a provider to deliver the new service to small businesses across Australia, in both metropolitan and regional locations.
The successful provider will help small businesses by providing free, tailored, person‑to‑person support during and after a cyber attack to develop and implement a specific plan to improve their cyber security.
Applications for the grant opportunity are opening today and will close on Friday 26 April 2024.
The Government is committed to supporting small businesses to adopt and harness digital opportunities while being secure online.
This new service builds on the $23.4 million Cyber Wardens Program and the $18.6 million Digital Solutions Program.
The Cyber Wardens Program provides free, online training for small business owners and their staff to help drive cultural change and a cyber safe mindset in Australian small businesses.
The Digital Solutions Program offers advice on how small businesses can make the most of digital tools in their business.
The Small Business Cyber Resilience Service is a key part of the 2023-2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy and will be a one‑stop‑shop for small businesses to build their cyber resilience and capability and provide support when impacted by a cyber incident.
Many small businesses have rapidly digitalised, bringing new opportunities but also increasing their vulnerability to cyber incidents which can cause financial loss, reputational damage, and interruption to trading.
In the last financial year, nearly 94,000 cybercrimes were reported to the Australian Cyber Security Centre. The average cost of a cybercrime to affected small businesses is now $46,000, with small business having limited ability to absorb these losses.
Once operating, small businesses impacted by a cyber attack will be able to contact the service to receive person‑to‑person support, including walking them through the steps that they need to take to recover.
Additional case management support will also be available in the immediate aftermath of an incident.
Guidelines for the Small Business Cyber Resilience Service grant opportunity are available on the business.gov.au website or by telephone on 13 28 46.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Small Business, Julie Collins MP:
"Labor is the party of small business, and we want to help them to operate securely online.
We'll continue to work hard to support small businesses, and ensure they remain at the heart of the Albanese Labor Government's decision making.
We want small businesses and their customers and the community to feel secure from cyber threats."
