Is it time for change? Lessons learned from the frontlines of nationwide SME cyber maturity uplift.

Panel Overview:

With an Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) report stating that most SMEs only spend no more than AUD500 per annum on cyber security, and widely-acknowledged lack of know-how or incentives to kickstart their cyber security journeys, the challenges to uplifting SME cyber security at a national level are rife. Are the current national, organisation, and individual efforts to uplift SME cyber security fit-for-purpose, or is change required?

Through a panel of private and public sector experts, we will explore the real-world challenges and use cases of lifting cyber maturity of small and medium businesses at scale. Based on their daily exposure to the problem at the coal face, they will also be sharing what they believe will be effective levers for governments, large organisations, and standards development organisations to consider implementing.

Panellists will share their real-world stories about the challenges across sectors (e.g. healthcare), the common challenges faced by the organisations they help, and suggest potential solutions towards overcoming these challenges.

The goal of the panel is to kickstart a lively and interactive session which will catalyse action and impact allowing the realisation of Shield 1 of the Australian Government’s Cyber Security Strategy 2023-2030.

NB: Public servant panelists may abstain from commenting on questions relating to government.