Protect your business from cyber threats
Taking your business online can have its benefits, but it can also increase the risk of scams and security threats. Learn how to identify how cyber secure your business is and how to strengthen your business against cyber threats.
.
1. Learn the basic security measures
The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) has steps you can take to protect your business and staff from cyber threats. This includes information on:
- turning on multi-factor authentication
- securing your accounts
- updating software
- backing up information
- protecting your business data
- educating employees.
2. Develop a cyber security policy
A cyber security policy helps your staff to understand their responsibilities and what is acceptable when they use or share:
- data
- computers and devices
- emails
- internet sites.
3. Protect your customers
It’s vital that you keep your customers information safe. If you lose or compromise their information it will damage your business reputation, and you could face legal consequences.
Make sure your business:
- invests in and provides a secure online environment for transactions
- secures any personal customer information that it stores.
If you take payments online, find out what your payment gateway provider can do to prevent online payment fraud.
There are laws about what you can do with any personal information you collect from your customers. Be aware of the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) and have a clear, up-to-date privacy policy. If your business is online, it’s a good idea to display your privacy policy on your website.
4. Consider cyber security insurance
Consider cyber insurance to protect your business. The cost of dealing with a cyber-attack can be much more than just repairing databases, strengthening security or replacing laptops. Cyber liability insurance cover can help your business with the costs of recovering from an attack. Like all insurance policies, it is very important your business understands what it is covered for.
5. Stay up-to-date on the latest risks
Keep up with the latest scams and security risks to your business. Sign up for the ACSC Partnership Program for access to up-to-date information on cyber security issues and how to deal with them.
6. Get cyber security advice
Australian Cyber Security Hotline
If you want to talk to someone about cyber security, the ACSC has a 24/7 Cyber Security Hotline.
The hotline provides over the phone support to both prepare for and respond to cyber incidents. Learn more on the ACSC website or call 1300 CYBER1.
Hot Issues
- ATO reveals small business hit list to combat tax debt
- What are the FBT implications of Employee Christmas Parties and Gifts?
- Assess a business before you buy it
- Christmas Parties and Taxi Fare/Rideshare – FBT implications.
- Practitioners cautioned on ATO’s top target areas for GST
- ATO to target growing businesses in latest compliance blitz
- Our SG compliance results are here
- Top 20 Most Watched Christmas Movies ever - pre covid
- A Unique Advent Calendar
- Businesses ghosting the ATO targeted in debt collection blitz
- Claiming the tax-free threshold: getting it right
- Aussies tired of ‘dodgy tax criminals’, warns ATO
- Protect your small business by following these essential steps.
- Super guarantee a focus area for ATO business debt collection
- Controversial ‘Airbnb tax’ set to become law
- Withholding for foreign residents: an ATO focus area
- 1 in 3 crypto owners confused about tax, study reveals
- 20 Years of Silicon Valley Trends: 2004 - 2024 Insights
- ATO reveals common rental property errors from data-matching program
- New SMSF expense rules: what you need to know
- Government releases details on luxury car tax changes
- Treasurer unveils design details for payday super
- 6 steps to create a mentally healthy and vibrant workplace
- What are the government’s intentions with negative gearing?
- Small business decries ‘unfair’ payday super changes
- The Leaders Who Refused to Step Down 1939 - 2024
- Time for a superannuation check-up?
- Scam alert: fake ASIC branding on social media
- Millions of landlords the target of expanded ATO crackdown
- Government urged to exempt small firms from TPB reforms
- ATO warns businesses on looming TPAR deadline
- How to read a Balance Sheet
- Unregistered or Registered Trade Marks?
- Most Popular Operating Systems 1999 - 2022
Article archive
July - September 2023 archive
- Contractor payments (TPAR) are increasingly on the ATO’s radar
- Superannuation and independent contractors: fresh Full Federal Court guidance
- Intergenerational Report 2023
- Property investors beware: new data matching program
- When will we learn to protect ourselves from ourselves?
- Federal Government toughens up employment laws.
- Small Business Tax Time toolkit for 2023.
- Oldest Buildings in the World
- Australian Taxation Office (ATO) target areas for tax time 2023
- Taxing unrealised capital gains a grave concern: Burgess
- Protect your business from cyber threats
- Is your content making you income?
- Australian Taxation Office (ATO) ride-sourcing data-matching program extended
- How a registered trade mark can grow your sales and your business
- The top modes of transport in the world
- Considerations When Negotiating a Resolution
- Things you can do in our digital office
- Working from home expenses for 2023
- Five questions that indicate how financially literate you are.
- New laws come into effect from July 1
- Preparing for EOFY tax scams with business and cyber resilience
- Any tax debts in arrears?
- Scammers continue to fleece unsuspecting victims
- Top 50 Greatest Cuisines
What our clients say about us