Every 6 Minutes an Aussie Business Is Targeted by Cybercrime — Why SMEs Must Think Beyond Antivirus

In today’s digital-first world, small and medium businesses (SMEs) in Australia are under increasing threat from cybercriminals. You might think “We’re too small to be a target” , but the reality is the opposite.

According to the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC), a cybercrime is reported every 6 minutes, with SMEs often being the primary victims. Why? Because attackers know that SMEs often lack the layered protections larger companies have making them easy, profitable targets.

Why Antivirus Alone Is No Longer Enough

Gone are the days when installing antivirus software and hoping for the best was enough. Modern cyber threats go far beyond viruses. Today’s attackers use: Phishing emails , Stolen passwords , Social engineering , Unsecured Wi-Fi , Exploited outdated software

Antivirus can’t stop a staff member from clicking a fake invoice email or using a weak password across multiple accounts. That’s why SMEs need a broader, proactive cybersecurity approach.

The 4 Layers of Cybersecurity Every SME Should Have

1. Strong Passwords & Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Encourage strong, unique passwords and enforce MFA on all systems. Even if a password is leaked , MFA adds a critical extra layer.

2. Phishing Awareness & Staff Training

Your people are your first line of defense. Regular training helps them spot fake emails, suspicious links, and social engineering tricks.

3. Secure Networks & Devices

Secure your office Wi-Fi with strong passwords, use firewalls, and consider VPNs when working remotely or from public spaces.

4. Monitoring, Backups & Incident Response

Use vulnerability scanning and dark web monitoring to detect leaks early. Regularly back up critical data, offline and encrypted. Most importantly have an incident response plan ready before an attack happens.

Cybersecurity Is Now a Business Essential , Not an IT Issue

Cyberattacks are no longer just tech problems . They are business continuity risks. They can cause: - Downtime ,Data loss ,Reputational damage, Legal fines

A single attack could cost an SME tens of thousands of dollars or worse, their business.