Miles Doings What Matters: Free Cybersecurity Solution to Protect Queensland’s Small Businesses

• $15 million investment from Miles Labor Government for free tools to protect Queensland small businesses from online threats.

• Initiative to prevent costly cybersecurity incidents, saving small businesses an average of $46,000 per breach.

• Solution has been designed to help prevent phishing, scams, hacking, data breaches and other cybercrime impacting lines.  

Small and medium-sized businesses across Queensland will soon have free access to a new cybersecurity solution, thanks to a $15 million investment from the Miles Labor Government.

This new initiative, part of the $250 million Queensland Small Business Strategy, aims to protect businesses from online threats like phishing, scams, hacking, and data breaches—at no extra cost to business owners.

Cryptoloc, a Queensland-based cybersecurity firm, has been chosen to roll out the solution, which will provide essential preventative and protective measures like network security, multi-factor authentication, data encryption, and operational controls.

The initiative also includes cybersecurity compliance training and awareness workshops that will be delivered in regional hubs – boosting local awareness and skills – and will be progressively rolled out over the coming months.

The new tools means that small businesses in regional Queensland will benefit from the same level of cyber protection as those in the cities, ensuring they stay safe in an increasingly digital economy.

In Australia, the average cost per cybercrime is $46,000 for small businesses, and $97,200 for medium businesses.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development Lance McCallum:

“Queensland’s small businesses should be focused on serving their customers — not defending themselves from cyber criminals and multibillion-dollar threats.

“The Miles Government is doing what matters by helping our businesses keep up-to-date and navigate the complexities of cyber security, so they can focus on what matters. 

“It means businesses can shift more operations online – with greater protection and confidence that they can thrive in a secure environment – and importantly, this solution from Cryptoloc will be free for the sector.

“We’re also investing in skills and training, to ensure more Queensland businesses have staff on the cyber security frontline; almost 2,000 Queenslanders have enrolled in our Free TAFE Certificate IV in Cyber Security.

“Labor has also invested $6.5 million in state-of-the-art cyber security training infrastructure across the state, including specialised centres in Cairns and Brisbane, and on the Gold and Sunshine Coasts.”

Quotes attributable to Cryptoloc Founder and Executive Chairman Jamie Wilson:

"Cryptoloc is honoured to be partnering with the Queensland Government in administering this crucial program, aimed at delivering essential cyber security support to the backbone of Queensland’s economy — the small business sector.

"Small businesses are particularly vulnerable to cyber threats, often lacking the knowledge, tools and awareness to safeguard their operations effectively.”

 "Through this initiative, we’re empowering business owners and industry across Queensland to protect their data and develop the skills and confidence to maintain that security long into the future."

Further information:

• October marks Cyber Security Awareness Month – a timely reminder for Queenslanders to take steps to stay safe online.

• The 2024 theme is ‘cyber security is everyone’s business’ and will encourage people to prioritise actions like enabling multi-factor authentication, reporting phishing attempts, and using strong and unique passphrases.

• The most recent Australian Signals Directorate Annual Cyber Threat Report revealed email compromise, business email compromise fraud and online banking fraud were the top three cybercrime types reported by Australian businesses.

• The Department of Employment, Small Business and Training engaged with the Cybersecurity Unit within the Queensland Government Customer and Digital Group, the Queensland Small Business Commissioner and representatives from the Department of Premier and Cabinet and Queensland Treasury to develop the Cyber Security for Small and Medium Enterprises initiative. 

• An open procurement process was initiated to secure the cyber security solution, with tender documentation released in late June 2024.

For more information on the $15 million Cyber Security for Small and Medium Enterprises initiative please go to https://desbt.qld.gov.au/small-business/programs/cyber-security 

Media contact: 

Minister McCallum – Andrew Churchill 0472 645 871