Telstra & CBA Join Forces to Launch Cyber Wardens Program for Small Businesses
Telstra's Anne Da Cunha and CBA's Mike Vacy-Lyle have joined forces with COSBOA to launch the Cyber Wardens program, a free e-learning platform designed to empower small business owners and employees to fight cyber crime. This initiative aims to secure Australia's 2.3 million small businesses, which are increasingly targeted by cyber threats.
Small businesses are a prime target for cyber criminals, with 43% of Australian cyber crime incidents affecting them. The average cost per incident is $9,000, highlighting the urgent need for better cyber safety measures. The Cyber Wardens program, created by small businesses for small businesses, aims to make cyber safety accessible and understandable, even for those without extensive tech knowledge.
The program is supported by the Australian Government and has already seen successful collaborations with the Brisbane City Council and the Burnett Inland Economic Development Organisation (BIEDO). It will be rolled out nationwide in the coming months, starting with a pilot program designed specifically for non-tech employees. This initiative is part of a broader effort to protect small businesses from cyber threats and scams, which cost the Australian economy $29 billion annually.
The Cyber Wardens program, backed by major organizations like Telstra, CBA, and COSBOA, is set to equip small business owners and employees with the skills and confidence to protect their businesses and customers online. By creating a cyber safety culture, the program aims to significantly reduce the impact of cyber crime on Australia's small business sector.
