Australian bank CommBank has partnered with the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA) to launch Cyber Wardens, a new project to protect small businesses from cyber threats and scams.
COSBOA’s Cyber Wardens pilot program is Australia’s first cyber safety workplace certification or microcredential for the small business sector.
It has been designed by small businesses, for small businesses. Its goal is to upskill the nation’s small business workforce and give owners and employees the tools they need to stay safe online, through a free and easy to use accredited e-learning platform.
According to the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC), 43% of all Australian cybercrime is directed at small businesses and costs an average of $9,000.
COSBOA CEO Alexi Boyd stated that the aim of the Cyber Wardens program is to develop crucial skills training for small business owners that have felt powerless in the digital safety space.
Boyd said, “Australia’s innovative small business owners are used to wearing many hats but we can’t just add another task to the to-do or ‘too hard’ lists. By targeting employees, as well as owners, the Cyber Wardens program will equip Australia’s small business workforce with the mindset, skillset and toolset to more easily and safely engage with an increasingly digital world.
“With the support of Telstra and CBA, and I hope many more corporate partners, we can provide free, simple and accessible resources to the small business community. We want to foster a culture of self-determination and understanding in cyber safety — no IT degree, excel expertise and cloud wizardry required.”
The program will train people to learn about common threats, promote better practices for managing safer passphrases, act as a cyber champion and implement cyber safety standards, and more.
In other Australian news, the country’s total investment volume is expected to drop by 39% in 2022, according to data from FinTech Global.
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