Protecting Digital Devices

Digital devices are central to running any small business, making cybersecurity essential. The Australian Signals Directorate’s Australian Cyber Security Centre has released three new ‘how to’ guides to help small businesses protect the devices they use most: Apple, Google, and Microsoft.

These guides give practical, step-by-step instructions for securing each platform. They show business owners and staff how to configure security settings, protect sensitive data, and reduce the risk of threats like phishing, ransomware, or account compromise. The advice goes beyond general tips and aligns with international standards as well as Australia’s own protective frameworks.

The guides are written for non-technical users, making it easier to put essential protections in place on phones, laptops, and tablets that are used for financial workflows, client communications, and cloud-based accounting systems. They also help businesses stay on top of privacy and data protection obligations.

For small businesses without dedicated IT support, these guides are a practical way to build cyber resilience. They work well alongside the ACSC’s broader Small Business Cyber Security Guide and are particularly useful when onboarding staff who use personal devices for work. Following the guidelines makes it easier to maintain consistent security across your team and reduce everyday risks.

Download the guide for your device or operating system:

• Apple [PDF 392Kb]
• Google [PDF 386Kb]
• Microsoft [PDF 394Kb]

Source: Small business hub | Cyber.gov.au

IDCARE’s Small Business Cyber Resilience Service

IDCARE’s Small Business Cyber Resilience Service is here to help small businesses strengthen their cybersecurity and recover from incidents. The service is free for businesses with 19 or fewer full-time equivalent employees (excluding the owner) that are registered in Australia, actively trading, and have a valid ABN.

It is designed for businesses of any type, including sole traders, and offers practical, non-technical guidance. Whether a business has experienced a data breach, a phishing scam, or a remote access compromise, IDCARE provides one-on-one advice to help respond quickly and reduce future risks.

The service goes beyond technical support. It includes private cyber health assessments, resilience dashboards with actionable tips, and even emotional support for business owners and staff dealing with the stress of a cyber event. Help is available via phone or online form, with multilingual and relay services to make it accessible for diverse communities.

To get started, businesses can complete a short survey that identifies current practices and areas for improvement. At the end of the survey, a resilience score is provided, along with the option to book a session with a Cyber Advisor. The advisor can guide the business on steps to strengthen cybersecurity and protect digital assets.

Source: IDCARE Official Website | Identity Theft & Cyber Support   Contact: 1800 595 160

The Cyber Wardens Champions Program

Cybersecurity is now one of the biggest risks facing small businesses. A 2024 survey (Small Business Cyber Security Pulse Check Report – Cyber Wardens) shows 54% of small businesses see cyber security as a top threat. Many owners feel it is too complicated to manage, while risky practices are common: family members using work devices, employees using personal devices, connecting to public Wi‑Fi without protection, sharing passwords, or posting personal information online.

The Cyber Wardens Champions program is designed to give small business staff the knowledge and tools to lead practical cyber safety initiatives. Participants do not need to be IT experts. Champions use their influence and daily interactions to promote safer digital habits, either through informal conversations or by organising training, workshops, or group sessions.

The goal is simple: make cyber safety practical and actionable for everyone in a small business.

Ideal candidates include small business owners, managers, bookkeepers, accountants, HR staff, volunteers, and anyone who regularly advises or interacts with small businesses. Champions help others protect sensitive information, adopt safe digital practices, and build awareness in workplaces, networks, and communities.

Benefits and Getting Started

Becoming a Champion also benefits participants. The program helps improve communication skills, enhances understanding of cyber threats, and builds confidence in guiding others. Champions gain leadership experience, learn how to break down cyber risks into simple steps, and can add valuable skills to their professional toolkit.

To get started, participants can complete the Cyber Wardens Foundations or Level 1 course. These courses provide the essential skills to protect their own business first before taking on the Champion role. As Champions, participants learn how to drive culture change around cybersecurity, engage different audiences, and use practical strategies and tools to support ongoing cybersecurity efforts.

By taking part in the Cyber Wardens program, small business staff can play a vital role in helping businesses reduce cyber risk, protect sensitive information, and foster safer digital habits in their clients’ workplaces and beyond.

For more information: Simplified Cyber Security for Australian Small Business