News
30 June, 2024
Cyber support for small and medium businesses
The Queensland Government is investing $15 million in a free cyber security solution for small and medium businesses to help protect against cyber threats.
The Queensland Government is investing $15 million in a free cyber security solution for small and medium businesses to help protect against cyber threats.
Part of the Queensland Small Business Strategy 2024-27, the initiative addresses rising cybercrime costs, which average $46,000 per incident for small businesses. A tender has been released to find a provider for cloud-based solutions, network security, data encryption, multi-factor authentication, and other protective measures.
This funding is drawn from the Miles Government’s $250 million industry support package and aligns with the 2024-25 State Budget’s $1.5 billion commitment to skills, training, and small business development.
Employment and Small Business Minister Lance McCallum said cybercrime is a growing threat, and the government is delivering real support to help businesses focus on growth rather than defence. The program is designed to lower costs and improve resilience, complementing other budget measures such as energy rebates, vehicle registration discounts, and free financial counselling.
Queensland’s small businesses employ over a million people and contribute $117 billion annually to the state’s economy. The top five sectors include construction, professional services, real estate, agriculture, and healthcare.
The cyber security initiative follows other recent business support measures, including the Business Basics Resilience Grants, which provided up to $5,000 for cyber security risk assessments and upgrades.
For more information, visit: www.qld.gov.au/small-business-strategy
