Australia's biggest bank and telecom unite to protect small businesses

Australia's biggest bank and telecommunications company have joined forces with the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA) to help protect small businesses from cyber threats and scams which cost the economy an estimated $29 billion a year.

Cyber security is a challenge for us all. The last 12 months have shown us that no business, big or small, is immune to the cyber threat. Successful attacks are costly and significantly impact business reputation. Recovery is hard; we must learn to lock our digital doors to cyber criminals. Which is why we are making cyber security simple for Australian small business. Backed by the Australian Government and together with the Council of Small Business Organisations of Australia (COSBOA), Telstra, and CommBank is pleased to announce access to free Cyber Wardens security training. 

Cyber security is achievable and doesn't have to mean spending a fortune on software or hiring new people. The best team to sit at the digital frontline should include the same important people who help drive your business daily.

Cyber Wardens is a world-first initiative brought to you by the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA). COSBOA is the peak body representing 2.3 million Australian small businesses just like yours, ensuring your best interests are supported and promoted.

Since COSBOA was founded in 1977, we have witnessed the different opportunities and challenges facing small businesses. Most recently, we have become concerned about increasing cyber-attacks and their impact on small businesses. For some, one cyber breach could make them permanently shut their doors. That's why we have launched Cyber Wardens and are committed to helping small businesses prevent and recover from cyber-attacks. By completing the Cyber Wardens course, you will take an essential first step in keeping cyber criminals out of your business.

According to the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC), 43% of all Australian cyber-crime is directed at small businesses — costing small business owners almost $9,000 on average.

Cyber Wardens is designed to help protect small business from online threats. Cyber Wardens is a free cyber security education tool to help simplify cyber security education for Australian small business. COSBOA is proud to partner with Telstra and CommBank to develop the Cyber Wardens eLearning program and provide small business owners access to this free and easy-to-use eLearning program.

Cyber Wardens training can help you defend against digital break-ins and help you keep cyber criminals out of your business. It's designed by small business, for small business. Its practical and makes cyber security as simple as locking up your doors at the end of the business day. Educating your team about cyber threats will help to protect your small business.

Cyber security is a challenge for all of us, not just technical experts or someone working in IT. This is about coming together to make our businesses and everyday working lives safer.

Anyone can be a Cyber Warden and help. The best part is that you don't have to be tech-savvy or an IT wizard to put your hand up. Just like workplace safety officers help keep small businesses safe from physical hazards, Cyber Wardens will use the same skills to prevent and protect against digital threats. You will only need about 45 minutes to complete the Cyber Wardens training. It is fast-paced learning designed to help busy small business teams focus on the quick wins that will help you layer in extra security. Educating your team about cyber threats will help to protect your small business.

This is a chance to boost the digital knowledge and capability of your team so that you can continue to do business in the safest and most secure way possible. It's accessible and self-driven so that you and your team can learn at the pace that suits you, no matter what your digital knowledge or ability.

Enrol and become a Cyber warden today: