In today’s digital age, the events industry is a prime target for cyber criminals. Along with a reliance on technology for registration, ticketing and event management, there’s a constant risk thanks to many financial transactions and data exchanges at every event.

Throw in third-party vendors and public wi-fi networks, and it’s clear you need to be serious about cyber security.

Cyber threats to the events industry include inbox break-ins, fake invoice and payment scams, and online banking fraud. Recent Cyber Wardens Research Report, “Building a culture of cyber safety in Australian small businesses”, reveals alarming statistics about the cost of cyber crime for small businesses.

Some sobering stats include:

• $46,000 is the average cost per cyber attack on small businesses.
• 43 per cent of cyber crime targets small businesses.
• A cyber crime is reported every six minutes in Australia.
• 95 per cent of cyber attacks involve human error, not technology failure.
• There is a 30 per cent drop in customers following an attack.

To tackle the scourge of cyber crime, the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA), supported by the Australian Government and an industry alliance led by Telstra, CommBank and the Australian Cyber Security Centre, has launched Cyber Wardens.

This initiative educates and empowers small businesses to protect their digital assets.

COSBOA CEO Luke Achterstraat emphasises the importance of a cultural shift in addressing cyber security.

“Cyber criminals are increasingly targeting Australian small businesses, and their methods are getting more sophisticated,” he says.

“But knowing a problem exists isn’t enough to solve it. We need a cultural shift and targeted support.

“Just as we physically protect ourselves by locking up our businesses and homes at night, small businesses need to understand how and why they should lock their digital doors.”

Cyber Wardens offers practical, easy-to-follow tips to help small businesses become cyber-safe.

The self-paced, free training program only takes 30-45 minutes to complete. It helps you spot common tricks and scams hackers use to attack small businesses, promotes cyber safety in your team, and aids in defending against digital break-ins.

Take action now

Protect your business and clients by enrolling in Cyber Wardens training.

Click here or visit cyberwardens.com.au/enrol/enrol-now-business-events.

It only takes two minutes to enrol and could save you tens of thousands of dollars.