Why Australian small businesses are investing in cybersecurity training
Even if you’re investing in the best possible tools and cybersecurity measures, it’s important that your preventative measures include upskilling your people.
Australian businesses are taking cybersecurity risks seriously, with 84% of businesses saying they feel prepared for a cyber attack according to MYOB’s recent market survey data.
And this preparation is a necessity, not a luxury, as the number of businesses experiencing cyber attacks or other cyber incidents is on the increase: 61% of the businesses we surveyed confirmed they’ve experienced a cybersecurity event in the last two years.
As with most things in business, people are the key when it comes to robust cybersecurity.
So even if you’re investing in the best possible tools and cybersecurity measures, it’s important that your preventative measures include upskilling your people.
Cybersecurity knowledge needs to go beyond the people in your IT team or those with responsibility for your digital presence. Every single person in your organisation has the potential to be a cybersecurity weak link or a cybersecurity hero.
Here’s why upskilling your people can improve your overall cyber safety.
Understand what’s at stake
Your people are your first line of defence, so help them understand what’s at stake. Cyber attacks could lead to a huge business loss, as the average attack costs small businesses $46,000.
Not only do attacks pose a huge financial risk, they could also mean a massive breach of privacy if your customer data gets into the wrong hands, so talk to your people about why cybersecurity matters, and why everyone needs to play a role.
Sophisticated attackers will look for an easily breached entry point, whether it’s via a phishing email that an unsuspecting employee opens and clicks, or shared passwords that don’t provide strong protection.
If people understand the potential risk of an attack, they’ll be more engaged in helping prevent it.
Invest in quality training
The potential cost of doing nothing is high, so avoid unnecessary risk by training your people to defend against cybersecurity attacks, and how to spot potential threats.
Our mid-market survey found 83% of businesses had undergone a cybersecurity upgrade or conducted cyber training in the last two years, so your business needs to invest appropriately to avoid becoming an easy target.
Quality training can help your people understand how to prioritise security measures, and reduce overwhelm in managing digital protection. Prevention is always better than cure, so train your people on how to set and regularly update strong passwords, how to spot a scam or phishing email, and how to understand their role in keeping data safe. A little training can go a long way.
Schedule time for cybersecurity
Support your people in their cybersecurity efforts by allocating sufficient time for them to complete training or conduct regular security checks. Diarise reminders for password and software updates, and hold regular refresher training on how to be cyber safe.
Consider incorporating cybersecurity training into the induction process for new employees to ensure all staff members have the same level of education, and encourage positive security habits among your team by commending anyone who identifies a potential security risk.
Security isn’t a one-off session, it needs to be embedded in regular business practices, so provide people with the time and resources they need to take it seriously.
Do you know who can access your data?
Investing in upskilling your people in cybersecurity is important, but it’s a wasted effort if your business has vulnerabilities you aren’t aware of, so spend some time on an audit of who can access your data.
No single person in your business should have total visibility of your data, and those who have left the business should have their access immediately removed.
Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility, and training your people doesn’t have to be a huge expense. Start by accessing free courses and quizzes online, such as these government-provided resources, and then build from there.
The cyber risks to SMEs are constantly evolving, so by committing to an ongoing process of learning for you and your people, you’re putting your business in the best possible position to avoid an unnecessary attack.
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