Digital threats like hacking and cyber attacks are a major concern in 2024, and small businesses are often the target. Education is paramount for salon and business owners to know what to look out for and what to protect in order to help secure their business – enter Cyber Wardens.

Cyber Wardens is a free and simple training course designed to provide small businesses the knowledge and tools to protect themselves against cyber threats, and to protect their clients’ and suppliers’ data. It takes just two minutes to enrol and the training program is self-paced, offering quick and simple actions for your business. The initiative is led by the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA) and supported by the Australian Government, Telstra, CommBank and the Australian Cyber Security Centre.

Read on for four things you need to know about the importance of the Cyber Wardens program.

The risk of a cyber attack is high

In Australia, a cyber crime is reported every six minutes and 43 per cent of cyber crimes target small businesses, while 80 per cent of small businesses are at risk of a serious cyber attack and 70 per cent have received a suspicious SMS, email or phone call.

The cost of a cyber attack is significant

One cyber attack costs a small business an average of $46,000 and can trigger an 80 per cent increase in cyber insurance premiums.

Cyber security awareness decreases the likelihood of being targeted by cyber criminals

Research indicates that 95 per cent of cyber attacks involve human error, not technology failures. This highlights how critical it is to instil a culture of cyber security amongst Australian small businesses and their teams.

Building strong routines is essential to defend against cyber attacks

The Cyber Wardens course is the first step to help small businesses defend against cyber attacks. The program provides simple actions like setting up multi-factor authentication, backing up data through cloud servers, regularly updating software, and replacing simple passwords with passphrases.

“After doing the Cyber Wardens course, I’m building in a rhythm where, at certain points in time, we can check our software is up-to-date and multi-factor authentication is turned on. That little bit of time to check every month is a small investment in time and energy compared to being a victim of a cyber crime,” shared salon owner Dwight Hodge of the salons Agent Hue and Druthers Collective.

Don’t miss out on this free, simple, and quick course to keep your salon protected from these ever-present cyber threats.

“As a small business owner, safeguarding my business and personal assets from cyber threats is paramount,” said hair industry leader Sandy Chong of Suki Hairdressing. “The Cyber Wardens program offers a vital shield against potential scams and hacks by providing essential education to empower my team with the knowledge to recognise and mitigate cyber risks effectively. This program is not just beneficial — it’s essential for fortifying our defences and ensuring the security and longevity of our operations.”

Discover this essential training for yourself. It only takes 2 minutes to enrol.

For more information visit www.cyberwardens.com.au/hairdressing

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