Cyber security

Cyber security is more important than ever. Vast numbers of small and family businesses are being compromised and, in some cases, profoundly damaged by scams and cyber-attacks every year.

Watch the Ombudsman's cyber security message here.

Our check list provides some simple steps to help small businesses and family enterprises avoid or reduce the impact of cyber security incidents.

Cyber security checklist

Cyber security resources

Australian Competition & Consumer Commission

The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission’s, ScamWatch website is a helpful resource to access information and steps to take if you have been scammed:

Australian Cyber Security Centre

The Australian Cyber Security Centre has dedicated resources for small businesses:

Small Business Cyber Security Guide to help small businesses protect themselves from the most common cyber security incidents
Have you been hacked? to help you if you think you’re the victim of a cybercrime,
Small Business Cloud Security Guides to help businesses secure their systems and data.

Australian Signals Directorate

The Australian Signals Directorate has a Cyber Health Check Tool that can help businesses take steps to strengthen their cyber defences. The tool is a free and anonymous 5-minute self-assessment, made up of simple questions. It provides small businesses with tailored action plans with customised advice to improve cyber security.

Australian Taxation Office

The Australian Taxation Office has complied a range of free resources and tips to keep your business and client data safe from cyber criminals.

Cyber Wardens

The Cyber Wardens program is funded by the Australian Government to provide small business owners and employees with free, easy to use online training to identify, prevent and protect against cyber threats.

Department of Home Affairs

The Department of Home Affairs, cyber health check is a free online tool that introduces stakeholders to the simple steps they can take to build cyber awareness.

Digital Solutions

The Digital Solutions program helps small businesses harness opportunities and grow in the digital economy.

Small businesses can access up to 4 hours of one-on-one digital advice from a qualified and experienced business adviser for a small fee. Small businesses can also access free workshops, webinar presentations and self-directed tutorials.

IDCare

IDCare operates the free Small Business Cyber Resilience Service. The service is tailored to your requirements through a one-on-one support approach for small businesses and sole traders to build their cyber resilience and recover from a cyber incident.

The Small Business Cyber Resilience Service can help with:

recovering from a cyber or privacy related incident, including email and account compromise
respond to hacking and ransomware
assess and offer advice to help reduce your risks.