The Australian government has unveiled a significant initiative, unveiling the Small Business Cyber Resilience Service with an investment of $11.1m.
Aimed at bolstering cyber defenses for small enterprises across Australia, the service offers free, bespoke one-on-one support to enhance cyber resilience and aid recovery from cyber incidents. Scheduled for a rollout by the end of 2024, the service forms part of the broader 2023–2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy.
This initiative is a component of a larger commitment by the government, which totals over $60m in investments designed to uplift the cyber and digital capabilities of small businesses. Highlights of this investment include the Cyber Wardens program, which has been allocated $23.4m to provide small businesses with free online training. This program focuses on equipping businesses with essential cyber safety practices to fend off digital threats.
Additionally, the government will launch a $7.2m voluntary cyber health check program allowing businesses to perform a free, personalized assessment of their cyber security maturity. This is complemented by an $18.6m investment in the Digital Solutions program, which supports small businesses in adopting digital tools to maximize online opportunities.
Minister for Cyber Security, Tony Burke MP, emphasized the government’s commitment to enhancing national cyber resilience. “When it comes to cyber security, we need to be strong no matter how large or small the business is,” he stated. “Our government is committed to working with businesses of all sizes to build our cyber resilience as a nation. We’ve made our objective clear – we will be a world‑leader in cyber security by 2030, and small business is critical to that effort.”
Minister for Small Business, Julie Collins MP, also highlighted the critical need for these new supports. “Cyber crimes can have devastating impacts for small businesses, with the average cost of a cyber incident around $46,000,” she noted. “That is why the Albanese Labor Government is investing in critical new supports to help small businesses harness the opportunities of digital technology and keep them safe while doing so. It’s just one way our Government is helping Australia’s 2.5 million small businesses.”
This development is part of a broader Small Business Statement which outlines over $640m in targeted supports designed to alleviate pressure, support growth, and create a level playing field for small enterprises across Australia.
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