Linda Reynolds (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the senator for his question. Australians need to be aware that it is not just large businesses that are being targeted by cybercriminals. Small and medium enterprises are also being targeted. Ransomware attacks now pose the highest cybersecurity threat to Australian small businesses. Over the last 12 months the Australian Cyber Security Centre has seen a 50 per cent increase in ransomware attacks. This week the government, through the Australian Cyber Security Centre, has launched two new guides on ransomware. These guides provide very practical and easily implementable advice for Australian businesses. They advise businesses how to protect themselves, how to respond if they are subject to a ransomware attack and also how to recover from these attacks. I urge all Australian businesses to visit cyber.gov.au to download these guides.