Cyber Month 2025 Launches with Stark Warning: Small Businesses Remain Critically Vulnerable
SYDNEY – As Cyber Month 2025 officially begins, new data reveals Australian small businesses are substantially underprepared for cyberattacks, leaving them – and their customers - at substantial risk.The findings, released today by IDCARE, highlight a concerning lack of cyber resilience amongst sole traders and small enterprises, despite escalating threats and potential financial and reputational damage.
Small businesses are taking, on average, longer than individuals to respond to a cyber incident, providing criminals with extended opportunities to inflict harm. A recent IDCARE Cyber Health Check found businesses scored an average of just 34/100, demonstrating meaningful vulnerabilities. This comes as 78% of small businesses seeking assistance from IDCARE reported unauthorized access to their Facebook accounts, disrupting operations and eroding trust. These statistics underscore the urgent need for proactive cybersecurity measures and a shift towards a cyber-safe culture.
IDCARE’s data paints a clear picture: a data breach impacts far more than just the business itself, affecting customers, suppliers, and the broader community. Alarmingly, 74% of small businesses lack a data breach response plan, and 47% of breaches stem from compromised email systems – incidents frequently enough preventable with multi-factor authentication.
To address this critical gap, IDCARE’s Small Business Cyber Resilience Service offers free resources including a cyber health Check to assess risk, one-on-one consultations with cyber advisors, access to cyber psychology support, and ongoing resources to improve cyber maturity.
“Building a cyber-safe culture isn’t just about technology; it’s about empowering business owners and their teams with the knowledge and support they need to protect themselves,” says IDCARE. “Cyber month 2025 is a crucial opportunity to prioritize cybersecurity and build a more resilient small business sector.”
Small business owners can access these free services at https://www.idcare.org/smallbusiness.