Better Networks
Geelong's AI & Automation Experts

Free Cybersecurity Risk Assessment

Answer 12 quick questions to assess your business cybersecurity posture. Get your risk score, see which areas need attention, and receive personalised recommendations aligned to the ACSC Essential Eight framework.

Start the Quiz →View All Tools
10–20 hrs
Saved per week
3×
Average ROI
$0
Call-out fees
100%
Local, Geelong-based
Question 1 of 120% complete

Multi-Factor Authentication

How does your business handle multi-factor authentication (MFA)?

Cybersecurity Risks Facing Australian Small Businesses

Cybersecurity is no longer a concern reserved for large corporations. Australian small businesses are increasingly in the crosshairs of cybercriminals, and the consequences of an attack can be devastating. The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) reports a cyber attack every six minutes on average, with small and medium businesses making up a significant share of victims.

Ransomware on the Rise

Ransomware attacks against Australian businesses have surged in recent years. Attackers encrypt your files and demand payment - often tens of thousands of dollars - to restore access. Without proper backups, many businesses are left with no choice but to pay.

Business Email Compromise

Business email compromise (BEC) is one of the most costly cyber threats in Australia. Attackers impersonate a trusted contact to trick staff into transferring funds or sharing sensitive information. MFA and staff training are your best defences.

The Human Factor

Over 90% of successful cyber attacks start with a phishing email. Without regular security awareness training, your staff are your biggest vulnerability. Simulated phishing tests and ongoing education make a real difference.

Privacy Act Obligations

Under the Australian Privacy Act, businesses with annual turnover above $3 million must report eligible data breaches to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner. Proposed reforms may lower this threshold, meaning more small businesses will face compliance obligations.

The Essential Eight - A Framework for Protection

The ACSC Essential Eight is the Australian government's recommended baseline for cyber defence. It covers eight key mitigation strategies: application control, patching applications, configuring Microsoft Office macro settings, user application hardening, restricting administrative privileges, patching operating systems, multi-factor authentication, and regular backups.

Our quiz is loosely aligned to these strategies, plus additional areas like email security, endpoint protection, and incident response planning. While not a formal Essential Eight maturity assessment, it gives you a practical snapshot of where your business stands and where to focus your efforts.

Cyber Insurance and Compliance

Many Australian cyber insurance providers now require businesses to demonstrate baseline security practices before issuing or renewing policies. Common requirements include multi-factor authentication, regular backups, endpoint protection, and staff training. If your business scored poorly on any of these areas in our quiz, you may face challenges obtaining or retaining cyber insurance coverage.

Local Support for Geelong Businesses

Better Networks provides cybersecurity assessments, managed security services, and Essential Eight compliance support for small businesses across Geelong, the Bellarine Peninsula, and the Surf Coast. Based in Ocean Grove, we understand the unique challenges that local businesses face and provide straightforward, jargon-free advice to help you protect your business without breaking the budget.

If your quiz results highlighted areas of concern, we offer a free initial assessment where we review your current security posture and provide a prioritised action plan. There is no obligation and no pressure - just practical advice from a local IT professional who understands small business.

Cybersecurity FAQs for Small Businesses

Common questions about cybersecurity for Australian small businesses.

What is the Essential Eight and why does it matter for my business?▾
The Essential Eight is a set of baseline cybersecurity strategies recommended by the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC). It covers critical areas like application patching, multi-factor authentication, and backups. While originally designed for government agencies, the ACSC recommends all Australian organisations adopt these strategies to reduce cyber risk. Many cyber insurance providers now also expect alignment with the Essential Eight.
How much does a cybersecurity breach cost an Australian small business?▾
According to the ACSC Annual Cyber Threat Report, the average cost of cybercrime for a small business in Australia is over $46,000. However, the real cost can be much higher when you factor in downtime, lost customers, reputational damage, and potential fines under the Australian Privacy Act. Some businesses never recover from a significant breach.
Do small businesses really get targeted by cyber attacks?▾
Yes. Small businesses are frequently targeted because they often have weaker security than larger organisations but still hold valuable data like customer records, financial information, and login credentials. The ACSC reports that small businesses account for a significant portion of cyber incidents in Australia each year. Cybercriminals use automated tools that scan for vulnerabilities regardless of business size.
What is multi-factor authentication and why is it so important?▾
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) requires two or more forms of verification to access an account - typically your password plus a code from your phone or an authenticator app. MFA is considered the single most effective step to prevent unauthorised access to accounts. Even if a password is stolen through phishing or a data breach, the attacker cannot log in without the second factor.
How often should we back up our business data?▾
At a minimum, business data should be backed up daily. The ACSC recommends following the 3-2-1 rule: keep three copies of your data, on two different types of media, with one copy stored offsite or in the cloud. Critically, you should test your backups regularly to ensure you can actually restore data when needed. Untested backups are almost as risky as no backups at all.
Is this quiz a substitute for a professional cybersecurity assessment?▾
No. This quiz is designed to give you a general overview of your cybersecurity posture and highlight areas that may need attention. A professional assessment involves a detailed review of your systems, configurations, policies, and processes. It provides specific, actionable recommendations tailored to your business. We offer free initial assessments for businesses in the Geelong region.
Get Started

Concerned About Your Score?

Get a free, no-obligation cybersecurity assessment from a local IT professional. We'll review your systems and provide a clear action plan to protect your business.

Book Your Free Assessment
📞 0429 583 065✉️ hello@betternetworks.com.au📍 Ocean Grove, Geelong