New research has found young Australians, including those in Sunbury and the Macedon Ranges, are among the least aware of common cyber security threats.
A survey of more than 2000 business owners and employees by the Council of Small Business Organisation Australia’s (COSBOA) Cyber Wardens program found Australian youth are less aware of threats such as identity theft and ransomware.
The survey found 67 per cent of Australian small business owners believe tech-savviness “equates to cyber safety skills”.
“While Gen Z employees – those born after 1997 – may have grown up with Tiktok and Minecraft, the research suggests our first generation of digital natives are among the least cyber safe, lacking the awareness and key competencies of cyber security compared to their older colleagues,” a COSBOA release said.
“The safest pair of hands in the small business community appear to be GenXers and upper Millennials in their 30s, who are the most likely to take cyber security seriously.
“Despite the lower awareness of incoming threats compared to their older counterparts, Gen Z rate their skills to prepare for, fight and respond to cyber threats as on par to all other generations, suggesting inflated levels of confidence.”
According to the survey, Gen Z is generation most interested in learning more and to help build a “culture of cyber safety” through the Cyber Wardens program, developed in partnership with Commonwealth Bank (CBA) and Telstra, to be piloted in 2023.
COSBOA chair Matthew Addison said it was important not to assume children or younger employees were “the safest pair of hands” when it comes to online activity.
“A good first step is taking stock of who is responsible for your business’ cyber protection,” he said.
“Don’t just assume your kids or younger employees are the safest pair of hands when it comes to online activity.”
CBA information security office chief Keith Howard said the Cyber Wardens program would give small business owners and their employees “simple information and tools to stay safe online”.
“With a focus on practical behavioural change rather than technical jargon, Cyber Wardens will arm small business employees and owners with simple steps to protect their personal and professional lives online,” he said.
“It’s great to be working closely with COSBOA and Telstra to help create a frontline defence against cyber threats with Australia’s 5 million-strong small business workforce.”
Details: www.cyberwardens.com.au.
