Small businesses vulnerable to AI scams, plead for training funding
Eighty-one per cent of small business leaders believe cyber criminals have become more sophisticated due to artificial intelligence.
Small businesses face growing cyber threats from AI, according to a government inquiry. Eighty-one per cent of business leaders think criminals are more sophisticated because of AI.
Thirty-two per cent share sensitive business or customer information with AI tools, putting themselves at risk. The Council of Small Business Organisations wants the government to restore funding for the Cyber Wardens program, which gave free training before it ended.
A cyber attack cost a small business an average of $56,600 in 2024/25, up 14 per cent.
- 81 per cent
- Small businesses seeing AI
- 32 per cent
- Businesses sharing sensitive data with
- $56,600
- Average cyber incident cost 2024-25
- nearly $260 million
- Australians lost to scams (9 months
Why it mattersSmall business owners need better training to avoid expensive cyber attacks and protect customer data from AI threats.
AustraliaAustralian small business owners are calling for government-funded training to defend against AI-driven scams as cyber incident costs rise.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 3 h ago
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