Microsoft, NAB and Communications and Information Technology Training (CITT) have partnered to help protect Victorian small businesses and boost their cyber skills while providing cybersecurity students with practical industry experience.

The Student and Small Business Cyber Risk Project, supported by the Victorian Government, partners Victorian TAFE students who are enrolled in a cybersecurity qualification with an industry mentor and a small business in Victoria to conduct cybersecurity risk assessments.

“A lot of smaller companies struggle with a lack of skills or understanding of where to start when it comes to cybersecurity,” Microsoft Australia and New Zealand national security officer Mark Anderson says.

“In many cases, taking a few simple steps can be enough to protect against 99% of cyber threats. It’s been great to be involved in this unique and highly scalable program, which is contributing to strengthening our nation’s cybersecurity defences.”

As part of the program students are partnered with mentors from NAB and Microsoft to conduct a cybersecurity risk assessment using publicly available tools. The small business will receive a report with steps they could take to improve cybersecurity in their business.

The Victorian Government has invested approximately $400,000 in the program, with in-kind contributions from other stakeholders taking the program’s value to nearly $1 million. The program is aligned with the Victorian state’s five-year, $50 million cyber strategy and its $64 million Digital Jobs program, both of which were launched in 2021.

Students who complete the program receive an industry certificate, verifying their satisfactory participation in the project and improving their readiness to participate in the workforce.

Small businesses can apply to participate in the program by contacting CITT here. For more information, visit this link or contact 1800 628 765 and ask for the Cyber Security Project team.