IDCARE has been announced by the Albanese Government today as the successful provider for a new $11.1 million Small Business Cyber Resilience Service.
The Service will provide free, tailored one‑on‑one assistance to help small businesses navigate cyber challenges, bolster cyber resilience and help recover from a cyber incident.
Small businesses across Australia, in both regional and metropolitan areas, will be able to access the Service by the end of 2024.
Under the 2023–2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy, the Albanese Government announced $11.1 million to establish the Small Business Cyber Resilience Service.
The Service is part of the Albanese Government’s investment of over $60 million to help small businesses uplift their cyber and digital capabilities.
This includes $23.4 million for the Cyber Wardens program which provides small businesses with free online training to help identify cyber safety practices they can implement to prevent and protect against digital threats.
The Government is also investing $7.2 million to establish a voluntary cyber health check program which will allow businesses to undertake a free, tailored self assessment of their cyber security maturity.
This is in addition to the $18.6 million for the Digital Solutions program, which helps small businesses adopt digital tools and grasp the opportunities that going online offers.
More information on the cyber security support available to small businesses can be found at: business.gov.au/news/cyber‑security‑and‑digital‑support‑services‑for‑small‑businesses
Quotes attributable to Minister for Cyber Security, Tony Burke MP:
“When it comes to cyber security, we need to be strong no matter how large or small the business is.
“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.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Small Business, Julie Collins MP:
“Cyber crimes can have devastating impacts for small businesses, with the average cost of a cyber incident around $46,000.
“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.
“The Government’s Small Business Statement outlines more than $640 million in targeted supports for small businesses to ease pressure, support small businesses to grow, and level the playing field.”