SMB business owners face a variety of unique and challenging tasks. One being how to secure their business while keeping to a strict budget.
More and more small business are experiencing cyber security incidents and even if nothing has been directly experienced, insurance companies are becoming more and more stringent in what they require. The Australian government is also finalising new laws regarding privacy which are expected to come into legislation over the next few months.
As such, now is a good to to look at improving your security. But what can small business owners do to improve their security and where can they start? This is where the new SMB1001 certification fits in. This security framework is designed specifically for small businesses in mind and offers effective security measures without the high costs and complexity of other frameworks like like ISO/IEC 27001 and Essential 8.
SMB1001 is a certification standard created by CSCAU (Cyber Security Certification Australia). It provides a clear pathway for SMBs to gradually improve their cyber security maturity in a structured manner.
Some of the benefits of SMB1001 include:
- a low cost entry point into security certification. There are 5 levels, you can start at a level that suits you and your business and work your way up as time, resources and money permit. As of the time of writing this article, pricing for Bronze certification starts at $95 (plus GST).
- By following and implementing the the controls listed, you will strengthen your businesses cybersecurity defences.
- By certifying your business, you are demonstrating your commitment to cybersecurity. This in turn will build trust with your staff, clients, suppliers and partners.
- Stand out from your competitors and gain a competitive advantage by showing that you take security seriously by protecting your clients, suppliers, partners and your own information.
Where to from here?
Our recommendations are to start looking into improving your businesses security posture straight away and SMB1001 is the ideal starting point. You can visit www.cybercert.ai or www.cscau.com.au for further information and to start planning your cyber security journey. If needed, DP Computing can help and assist you with attaining SMB1001 certification. Please contact us for any questions or assistance.