Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are prime targets for cybercriminals. This speech explores why SMEs must prioritise cyber security, addressing the latest Australian legislation, such as the Privacy Act amendments and Security of Critical Infrastructure Act, and how these impact businesses. Understanding legal obligations, compliance requirements and potential penalties is crucial to avoiding fines and data breaches.

The speech covers common cyber threats like phishing, ransomware, malware, and insider threats, explaining how these attacks can cripple operations. It provides practical mitigation strategies, including multi-factor authentication, regular software updates, staff training, and incident response planning.

Attendees will learn the first warning signs of a cyberattack, such as unusual network activity, login attempts from unknown locations, or unexpected system slowdowns. Recognising these red flags early can prevent further damage.

In case of a cyber-attack, knowing the right incident response steps is critical. The speech outlines immediate actions, such as isolating affected systems, notifying authorities, engaging cyber security experts, and informing customers if their data is compromised. Having a clear response plan can minimise financial and reputational harm.

What level of cyber security does an SME need? This depends on business size, industry, and data sensitivity. However, all SMEs should implement basic cyber security measures, including firewalls, endpoint protection, encrypted backups, and access controls. For businesses handling sensitive data, more advanced security frameworks may be required.

By the end of the speech, SMEs will understand cyber security best practices, legal requirements, and actionable steps to protect their businesses from cyber threats. Whether you’re a startup or a growing company, investing in cybersecurity is not optional—it’s essential to protect your business, digital assets, and customer data.