Protecting small business from cyber threats
Cyber Wardens is a free, government-funded online training program designed to help Australian small businesses protect themselves against cyber threats. The program is an initiative of the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA), supported by the Australian Government and an industry alliance led by Telstra, Commonwealth Bank and the Australian Cyber Security Centre, with delivery by 89 Degrees East.
Founded on the principle that you don’t need to be an IT expert to keep your business safe, Cyber Wardens takes inspiration from workplace safety officers and fire wardens. With more than 23 million dollars in federal funding committed in the 2023-24 Budget, the program aims to train up to 50,000 Cyber Wardens across Australian small businesses over the next few years. More than 24,000 people have enrolled in courses since launch, with over 13,000 graduates already protecting their businesses.
What they do
Cyber Wardens provides short, jargon-free training courses that help small business owners and employees understand and defend against cyber attacks. The program addresses a critical need: 43% of cyber crime targets small businesses, with the average cyber attack costing around 46,000 dollars.
The training covers practical cyber security essentials across multiple course levels. Foundations introduces seven cyber security red flags that pose risks to small businesses. Level One teaches four cyber security basics to implement immediately. Advanced modules cover Safe AI practices, supply chain security, and incident response and recovery. The courses take as little as 45 minutes to complete and are available in self-guided online formats, live webinars, and on-demand sessions.
Graduates receive practical tools, ongoing cyber safety news and tips, and access to a comprehensive resources hub. The focus is on simple, actionable steps that make a real difference, like securing email platforms, recognising Facebook Messenger scams, and protecting against business email compromise.
Why Threesides works with Cyber Wardens
Since March 2024, Threesides has partnered with Cyber Wardens to drive awareness and enrolments in their free cybersecurity training through a nationwide digital advertising campaign. The partnership addresses a crucial vulnerability: small businesses are increasingly targeted by cyber threats yet often lack the resources to stay protected.
Threesides helps Cyber Wardens reach small business owners through targeted digital advertising across social media, search, and display networks. The campaign ensures that practical cybersecurity resources are easily accessible to those most at risk. This work aligns perfectly with Threesides’ mission to support the small business community and position ourselves as trusted marketing advisors who genuinely care about client success and security.
Many Threesides clients have benefited from Cyber Wardens’ training, particularly around business email compromise and social media scams. By championing this vital government-funded program, Threesides demonstrates thought leadership in digital safety while helping build cyber resilience across the Canberra business community and beyond.