Cyber Security Awareness Month 2023: Be cyber wise – don’t compromise

Business name
Digital Innovation Futures Victoria
Last updated date
27 Sep 2023

A man standing at a wooden work bench. He is on his laptop. There are work tools and pieces of wood lying around.

October 2023 is Cyber Security Awareness Month and this year’s theme is ‘Be cyber wise – don’t compromise’. Now in its 20th year, Cyber Security Awareness Month is an opportunity to share information and highlight the importance of being cyber safe. Given the rising trend in cybercrime, it is more critical than ever to ensure your business is cyber safe all year round.

The 2021-22 ACSC Annual Cyber Threat Report noted more than 76,000 cybercrime reports were lodged, increasing by 13% from the previous financial year. The most reported types of cybercrime included fraud, online shopping and online banking, making up more than half of all reports.

Cyber threats facing small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs)

SMBs can be particularly vulnerable to cyber security risks, with limited resources, expertise, and infrastructure all contributing factors as well as lack of awareness and training. Many fall prey to dangerous practices, like clicking on suspicious emails, using easily guessable passwords, or neglecting timely software updates. This can inadvertently open doors to cyber attackers.

If you are concerned about your business’s cyber security, there are a number of ways to strengthen your cyber defences. Seek advice from cyber security professionals and invest in cyber security training and education such as the Business Victoria workshops.

Tips from an expert

Cynch Security is a Victorian startup dedicated to supporting SMBs with cyber security, and founder Susie Jones has some essential steps that can bolster your business's cyber security:

  • Discuss cyber threats: regularly chat about scams and cyber security with your team, as keeping the topic front and centre builds awareness.
  • Implement multi-factor authentication: especially for email and social media accounts.
  • Install updates promptly: ensure your computers, phones, tablets, and apps are always updated.
  • Regular backups: always back up your data and test these backups frequently.
  • Strengthen your password game: using a password manager can help you create and manage robust passwords for all your accounts.

For a deeper dive into this, you can access a DIF Live online session that Susie hosted as part of the DIF Festival 2023, where she discussed the latest trends in cybercrime and strategies to counter them.

For those wanting a more comprehensive approach, we've collaborated with Monarch Institute to offer an online course on Cyber security. Designed for budding entrepreneurs or established businesses, it covers the significance of cyber security and practical protection measures. The course includes slides, PDFs and a workbook. Learn at your own pace, jot down notes, and immediately apply your newfound knowledge.