The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) has launched a survey for Australian businesses to share their experiences with the online world, in particular security issues.
Announcing the survey, Head of the ACSC, Lieutenant General John Frewen said around 25 per cent of Australian small to medium enterprises experienced a cybercrime in 2017.
“In a survey that year small business operators rated cybercrime as the third biggest risk to their business,” LTGEN Frewen said.
“For a big business with access to extensive IT support and resourcing, a cyber security incident can be a bad day for business,” he said.
“For a small business, such as a café, medical practice or tradesperson, with tight running costs and much fewer staff, it can be their last day of business.”
He said the ACSC knew that having good cyber security protection in place was as essential as good physical security.
“The ACSC receives reports on a daily basis from business owners and operators around the country who’ve been hit by a cyber security incident,” LTGEN Frewen said.
“From paying false invoices to scammers, through to staff inadvertently clicking on suspicious links that bring a business’s entire system down — the reports are alarming and growing.”
He said the survey was being shared with a range of Government and small business support groups around Australia, inviting members and stakeholders to participate.
“The survey results will assist the ACSC to better understand the types of challenges confronting small businesses, so we can develop tailor-made products and advice to specifically address their needs,” he said.
The survey can be accessed on the ACSC website this PS News link.
