Govt gives IT resellers $7m for SME cyber support


Joseph Brookes
Senior Reporter

A cohort of “trusted” companies will share in $6.9 million in federal government grants to support SME cyber awareness and resilience, with nearly 40 per cent of the money going to channel partners.

Charities, a university and the peak caravanning group also received funding to help SMEs build cyber awareness and “promote action”.

But more than $2.7 million of the grants will go to IT Connexion, Loyal IT Solutions, CyberCX, Real World Technology Solutions, First Focus IT and Concept Data, to develop various cyber awareness and support training initiatives.

Two of the biggest grants went to cyber services providers CyberCX and Real World Technology Solutions, which each received the maximum $750,000 on offer.

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The government has provided $6.9 million in grants to support SMEs cyber awareness and reillience.

CyberCX is the private sector venture of former head of the Australian Cyber Security Centre and Special Adviser to the Prime Minister on Cyber Security Alastair MacGibbon. It has received funding for a ‘Cyber123 for SME’ program.

Real World Technology Solutions is an IT services provider for SMEs and not-for-profits. Its grant will be used to support cyber security resilience within small-to-medium, charity & indigenous businesses.

Business support charity the Murray Hume Business Enterprise Centre also received the maximum $750,000, while the Queensland Chamber Of Commerce And Industry received $738,500 for its cyber security accreditation program.

The grants are part of the Cyber Security Business Connect and Protect Program, which provides funding to trusted organisations that give business advice to SMEs to raise their cyber risk awareness, promote action to address the risks, and support SME uplift to best cyber practices.

Applications closed in November last year with successful applicants revealed last week and announced Tuesday by the government.

“SMEs make up 99 per cent of all Australian businesses and employ about half our workforce, so it is essential to our economy and national security that SMEs continue to expand and improve their digital capabilities in a secure way,” Industry Minister Christian Porter said.

“The assistance provided through this grant program will support businesses in recognising cyber risks and opportunities, particularly in the wake of the strong digital uptake during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Business support groups and consultants in the Hunter Region, Wodonga, Brisbane and Darwin will also get funding.

The Western Sydney University will receive $754,920 to develop its Oz Cybersecurity Aid Centre and online call line in conjunction four New South Wales cybersecurity companies.

Caravan Industry Association Of Australia received $364,500 for cyber awareness training in Australia’s caravan and camping industry.

The 14 successful applicants and their funding are:

  • IT Connexion – $250,000 for Cyber Security Awareness Training
  • Loyal I.T. Solutions – $456,258 for Cyber Secure Central Coast!
  • CyberCX – $750,000 for Cyber123 for SME
  • Real World Technology Solutions – $750,000 for Cyber Security resilience within SMB, Charity & Indigenous Businesses
  • First Focus IT – $339,780 to Develop & deliver a cyber security education package for SME C-suite
  • Concept Data – $188,721 for a South Australian Business Cyber Security Advisory Service
  • Murray Hume Business Enterprise Centre Limited – $750,000 for a Business Enterprise Cyber Secure initiative.
  • Hunter Business Centre – $349,40 for a Cyber Security Culture Program for Regional SMEs
  • Queensland Chamber Of Commerce And Industry – $738,500 for a Cyber Security Accreditation Program
  • Business Enterprise Centre (Darwin Region) – $219,596 for its CyberSafe program
  • Belmont Business Enterprise Centre – $274,900 for cyber security training and mentoring
  • The Project Lab – $641,434.00 for CyberUP for SMEs
  • Western Sydney University – $745,920 for its Oz Cybersecurity Aid Centre
  • Caravan Industry Association Of Australia – $364,500 for cyber awareness training in the camping and caravan industry

Do you know more? Contact James Riley via Email.

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