Discover three key elements of a strong cyber security strategy to help protect your small business from evolving cyber threats.
Cyber security threats can feel overwhelming. From phishing emails to ransomware and scams, it seems like new cyber threats appear every week. And it’s costing Australian small businesses.
Research conducted by Cyber Wardens, a free training program for small business cyber security, revealed that almost half of small businesses (44%) have experienced a cyber-attack. When an attack hits, the costs can pile up quickly, whether it’s lost productivity, recovery costs or long-term impacts on customer trust and business reputation.
The good news is you don’t need to be a technical expert. There are practical steps you can take to help protect your business.
Learn how the Cyber Wardens training program helps small businesses boost their cyber security.
A strong cyber security strategy comes down to three key elements: people, processes, and technology.
Think of your cyber security strategy as an extension of how you already protect what matters. That could be by locking the front door of your shop or keeping customer details safe from unauthorised access.
Educating people, putting the right processes in place, and using smart cyber security solutions is critical. This helps reduce risk, improve data security management, and ultimately helps prevent data breaches.
Employees are often the first (and sometimes the last) line of defence against cyber security threats. Unfortunately, human error is a common cause of cyber security breaches. Sometimes, it’s as simple as clicking on a suspicious link or reusing a weak password, which can open the door to attackers.
That’s why training and awareness are vital. Programs like Cyber Wardens help upskill your team, so they know how to spot scams. They can also help you avoid phishing attempts and react appropriately when something feels suspicious.
Adding trained ‘Cyber Wardens,’ to your business helps create a culture where everyone plays a role in protecting the business.
Explore more practical cyber security tips for spotting phishing and protecting workplace devices.
People form the first layer of defence. However, policies and processes help ensure consistency and resilience.
A few well-chosen steps can make a big difference to your business cyber security:
Adding good habits into everyday work can help you and your team build resilience against cyber threats.
Technology supports both people and processes. It provides the guardrails and protections that help keep your business safe. The good news is that advanced cyber security solutions are more accessible for small businesses than ever before.
Telstra Device Security for Business, helps safeguard devices connected to your network. It’s a practical way to help protect data, detect threats, and add another layer of defence.
Explore security features such as Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and endpoint security software. They can help keep your sensitive information secure. Using a VPN for business can help protect your online activity, especially when working remotely.
Every business is different. So, it can help to ensure technology is tailored to your business needs. If you’re unsure where to start, you can request a call from a Telstra Business Technology Centre. They can discuss cyber security solutions for your organisation.
As a smaller business, you may rely heavily on just one strategy to help protect your business from cyber threats. This might be a single piece of software or a standalone process. But effective business cyber security requires a holistic approach that considers how different elements can work together to help keep your business safe.
It’s about bringing people, processes, and technology together. This means your employees are alert to risks, your policies guide the right actions, and your systems provide the right protections. This helps create a layered defence that makes it harder for attackers to succeed.
Cyber security is an ongoing effort. Threats are always evolving, which means your defences need to evolve too. Our guide to cyber security trends explores how threats are evolving to help you stay ahead.
A strong cyber security strategy helps protect your people, customers, and future.
No business is too small to be a target. In fact, cyber criminals may often see smaller businesses as easy opportunities or a potential way into the supply chain of larger businesses. But with the help of the right strategy, you can help boost your defences.
Each step is important. From training your team, to putting policies in place, and adopting smart cyber security solutions. They all help add stronger barriers between your business and would-be intruders.
Investing in cyber security today can pay dividends in the future. It can help you prevent data breaches, build trust with your customers and confidence in your team.
Want to know more? Explore our guide on cyber security tips on social media safety. Or find out about the ASD Essential 8 and how to get the basics right.
Greater awareness, structure, and tools are key to helping your business face the future with more confidence.
Enhance your digital security against scams and online risks to help make doing business online safer.
Enhance your digital security on up to 15 devices and help make doing business online safer.
