Cyber Security and Compliance

Businesses Must Comply If Applicable

Every business in Australia must protect data and systems from cyber threats. Specific obligations apply to:

Business Turnover $3m+

If your business operates in any sector and it's turnover exceeds $3,000,000, you are required to be cyber compliant.

Sensitive Information

If your business handles sensitive personal information such as identification cards, driver's licenses, Medicare, etc.

Regulated Industries

If your business is operating in a regulated industry for example as finance, health, legal, and education.

Working from Home

If your business uses any form of remote access or work-from-home arrangements for your team members.

Government & Infrastructure

Involved in government or infrastructure sectors like energy, water, healthcare, transport, telecommunications, banking, finance, or food supply.

Digital Systems

If your business sends or receives email, uses cloud platforms, stores personal, financial or health information - even basic customer details.

Payments

Accepts online payments or uses digital point-of-sale systems.

Online Presence

Maintains an online presence like a website, booking platform, or social media account

You’re probably seeing the pattern here — it’s basically every business

The Cost of Non-Compliance

Failing to meet your cyber security and compliance obligations can be extremely costly — not just financially, but legally and reputationally.

Fines and Legal Penalties

Under the Privacy Act 1988, serious or repeated data breaches can lead to penalties of up to:

$2.5 million for individuals, and

The greater of $50 million, 3x the benefit gained, or 30% of adjusted turnover for companies (as updated in the Privacy Legislation Amendment (Enforcement and Other Measures) Act 2022)

Loss of Business and Contracts

Non-compliance can lead to loss of tenders, contracts, and client trust, especially with government agencies or high-trust sectors like finance and healthcare.

Many tenders now require proof of cyber compliance.

Insurance claims may be denied if basic security standards are unmet.

A single breach can lead to clients walking away permanently.

Reputation and Brand Damage

Your brand reputation is valuable yet fragile. A data breach can jeopardize years of trust, especially with exposed customer records or service interruptions.

67% of consumers would cease business with a company after a breach (IBM).

Negative press and backlash can persist long after resolution.

Downtime and Recovery Costs

Cyber attacks can cause severe downtime and costly recovery for small businesses.

Systems might be locked or corrupted (e.g., ransomware).

You may face expenses for forensic investigations, legal fees, and public communication.

Long-term costs can include higher insurance premiums, decreased productivity, and staff burnout.

Non-compliance Is Risking Your Business — Hardly Worth it!

Millions Aren’t Compliant Why Worry?

It’s true — millions of Australian businesses are not cyber compliant. But that doesn’t make non-compliance safe… it just makes it common.

Automated Cyber Attacks

Cyber attacks target businesses of all sizes with increasing sophistication. Advancements in AI are enhancing their reach.

High Risk Targeted Group

Being non-compliant increases your risk of being targeted, exploited, and denied support when issues arise.

Competitive Advantage

If your competitors aren’t compliant, you can stand out by being the one who is — securing trust, winning contracts, and building long-term resilience.

And when the day comes that a breach happens, compliance is your shield — protecting your business legally, operationally, and financially.

The Essential Eight recommended by the Australian Cyber Security Centre

Become Cyber Compliant

Application Control

Only allow approved applications to run

Patch Applications

Fix known software vulnerabilities quickly

Configure Microsoft Office Macros

Block risky macros

User Application Hardening

Remove unnecessary features

Restrict Administrative Privileges

Limit access to what’s truly needed

Patch Operating Systems

Keep systems fully up to date

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Add a second layer of login protection

Regular Backups

Ensure business data can be recovered

Cyber compliance is more than just installing antivirus software. It's a comprehensive approach involving policies, technical safeguards like the Essential Eight, and ongoing vigilance from your entire team.

Cyber Compliance isn't just about ticking boxes

It's about building layers of defense. Three main pillars are essential.

Clear, Documented Cybersecurity Policies

Policies are the roadmap for security. They define acceptable behaviour, outline procedures, and set expectations for everyone in the business. Clear documentation demonstrates due diligence and provides a consistent framework for decision-making.

Implementing Proven Technical Controls

Policies set the rules, but technical controls enforce them and provide the actual technological defences against threats. They reduce the attack surface and automate protection where possible.

Ongoing Employee Training and Awareness

Your team can be your strongest asset or your biggest vulnerability. Regular training transforms employees from potential targets into the first line of defence. It fosters a security-conscious culture where everyone understands their role in protecting the business.

What Is Cyber Compliance?