Australian Government launches small business Cyber Resilience Service

Following some incidents of identity theft within the veterinary profession, the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) is sharing a recently launched Small Business Cyber Resilience Service. 

The Australian Government Small Business Cyber Resilience Service offers free, tailored, person-to-person support to help small business improve their cybersecurity and recover from cyber incidents. This service provides a vital resource for veterinary businesses that may not have the technical expertise or resources to tackle these challenges on their own. 

The Small Business Cyber Resilience Service offers businesses the opportunity to speak directly with a cyber security adviser who can listen to their concerns and provide customised advice and solutions. Whether it’s improving overall security help in preparing for, and recovering from, all cyber incidents, including account compromise (e.g. email or social media accounts), phishing, hacking and ransomware, small businesses can access this support by calling the helpline or submitting an online form, ensuring that help is just a phone call or click away. 

Small businesses can access the service by calling the Small Business Cyber Resilience Service helpline on 1800 595 170, or by submitting a request through the online form available at idcare.org/smallbusiness. 

The service is available during business hours, from Monday to Friday between 8am and 6pm AEST. For businesses currently experiencing a live cyber incident, they are encouraged to contact the Australian Cyber Security Hotline at 1300CYBER1 for immediate assistance. 

The Small Business Cyber Resilience Service is part of a broader effort by the Australian Government to improve cybersecurity for small businesses. It complements existing programs such as the Cyber Wardens program and the extensive resources available on cyber.gov.au. This initiative is a crucial part of the Australian Government’s broader strategy to strengthen the nation’s cyber capabilities under the 2023-2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy. 

The AVA’s free member-only HR Advisory Service can also provide advice and resources for veterinary practices and employees.