In this piece, IT expert Mohamed Marjook Hussain breaks down the current cybersecurity landscape for SMEs.
Australia’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs) make up 99.8 per cent of all businesses within the country and drive the economy forward. However, while they’re focused on keeping the lights on, cybercriminals are laser-focused on bringing them down and SMEs are often defenceless.
Unlike large enterprises, SMEs operate with limited resources, lack dedicated cybersecurity teams, and are disproportionately impacted by the IT and cyber skills crisis. These factors make them attractive targets for cybercriminals who exploit security gaps.
Cybercriminals don’t even need to be creative – they just exploit vulnerabilities that should’ve been fixed months ago.
We have a national strategy for this – but is it working?
To address these challenges, the Australian government’s 2023-2030 Cybersecurity Strategy and subsequent Australian Cyber Security Action Plan have set forth a national framework to enhance cyber resilience.
The first step is to acknowledge the challenges, particularly the presence of security gaps that leave SMEs’ digital environments vulnerable. Many are running outdated software, using weak passwords, and skipping critical patches. Cybercriminals don’t even need to be creative – they just exploit vulnerabilities that should’ve been fixed months ago.
Balancing protection and productivity
Another challenge is the security versus usability struggle. SMEs want protection, but not at the cost of productivity. Cybersecurity measures, while essential, can introduce friction that slows down daily operations, leading to resistance from employees and leadership. While implementing security measures such as multi-factor authentication (MFA) and Zero Trust frameworks can improve protection, SMEs often struggle with integration across legacy systems that were never designed with modern security in mind. Retrofitting these older environments can be complex and expensive, requiring specialised expertise that many SMEs lack in-house.
Ongoing management and monitoring of access controls add another layer of complexity, requiring continuous vigilance to avoid security gaps. Without dedicated IT resources, SMEs risk misconfigurations that could leave them just as vulnerable as before.
The burden of tech debt
And then there’s tech debt. Technological transformation plays a crucial role in SMEs’ cybersecurity postures. Businesses at different stages of digital maturity face unique challenges. Companies still reliant on legacy systems often depend on external vendors for upgrades and support, limiting their ability to implement modern security measures. On the other hand, more advanced organisations can adopt new technologies with greater agility and incorporate advanced cybersecurity solutions into their infrastructure.
A lack of scalable, cost-effective solutions
SMEs need the tools and support to fight smarter, not harder. The best way for SMEs to tackle these challenges is to adopt a strategic approach that prioritises security without compromising operational efficiency. This means scalable, cost-effective solutions tailored to their unique challenges. SMEs need practical solutions that simplify security operations, ensure compliance with industry regulations, and offer automated threat detection and response capabilities.
Why we need collective defense for SMEs
The Cyber Security Action Plan highlights the need for collaboration between public and private sectors, and for good reason – no single company can fight off cyberthreats alone, and unless all heads are together, we will not achieve national cyber resilience.
Private companies, large and small, must work in tandem with government agencies to share threat intelligence, develop innovative solutions, and create unified security standards. A collective approach enables faster incident response, better resource allocation, and a more robust defence against cyberthreats that impact the broader economy.
This collaboration is key to building a cybersecurity-aware workforce. It will enable SMEs to better leverage available resources, participate in cybersecurity training programs, and adopt best practices that align with national cybersecurity objectives. Cybersecurity training isn’t just for IT staff – it’s for everyone.
SMEs cannot afford to take a passive approach to cybersecurity. As digital threats become more aggressive and complex, business must proactively adopt solutions that enhance security without overwhelming their limited resources. Cybersecurity is a critical business priority that requires strategic investment and collaboration.
