Beware the festive fakes. ’Tis the season for giving - and cyber crime.

29 November, 2024: 

The festive season could become the worst time of year for small businesses caught out by cyber criminals, as new figures show the average cost of an attack has risen to nearly $50,000.  

The government-funded Cyber Wardens program warns that the festive season is a prime time for online crime, as opportunistic cyber criminals try to catch out small businesses during the Christmas rush. 

Cyber Wardens, an initiative of the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA), has launched a new small business guide to offer practical advice to help retailers safeguard their businesses from the rising threat.

Fake invoices, scam customer complaints and refund requests are among the most common festive cyber crimes, and they are becoming more difficult to spot.

Cyber criminals are also fleecing rising amounts of money from operators, with the latest Australian Signals Directorate figures revealing the average cyber attack costs  $49,600 to a small business.

The guide, Deck the Halls with Cyber Safety, offers simple, actionable steps to help small businesses bolster their digital defences and quick holiday-themed reminders to keep owners and their staff cyber-safe.

Cyber Wardens is a free eLearning program aimed at boosting the cyber skills of the nation’s 2.5 million small businesses, supported by the Australian government and backed by an industry alliance led by Telstra, CommBank and the Australian Cyber Security Centre. 

COSBOA CEO Luke Achterstraaat said the guide and the program were important tools to consider after a challenging year for small businesses. 

“It’s no secret that small businesses have done it tough this year, and owners should be able to look forward to the festive season with a sense of positivity and hope – not fear of a cyber attack,” he said.

“But the reality is cyber criminals know small businesses are juggling holiday orders, staff schedules, and last-minute to-dos, so they ramp up their efforts, hoping to catch you off guard. Cyber criminals are becoming increasingly savvy and tactical, and it is critical that every small business takes steps to shore up their online defences. The Cyber Wardens program is free and easy to complete, and the introductory course only takes ten minutes.”

Mr Achterstraat urged small business owners to ensure their entire team is armed with the knowledge and tools they need to keep their business safe online.

The Cyber Wardens program offers a range of course options, including a ten-minute Foundations course. For information on the range of courses available, visit cyberwardens.com.au.

Media enquiries: media@cyberwardens.com.au or 0466 027 957