Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) constitute a significant portion of a country’s business activity and make a substantial contribution to the national supply chain. Despite their importance, there is a notable lack of comprehensive studies and reports that assess the cyber security readiness of SMEs. Furthermore, very few studies directly involve surveys of SMEs themselves to understand the challenges they encounter in this regard. Utilizing survey results to enhance the cyber security posture of SMEs is even rarer.
This chapter outlines an ongoing initiative in Western Australia, focusing on SMEs in the northwest metropolitan region of Perth, specifically within the substantial local government areas of Joondalup and Wanneroo. The overarching objective of this project is to support efforts to enhance the cyber security resilience and resistance of SMEs operating within these catchment areas.
The project aims to address the following key points:
1. Understanding the unique cyber security challenges faced by SMEs.
2. Conducting direct surveys with SMEs to gather insights into their cyber security issues.
3. Developing measures and strategies to enhance the cyber security resilience of SMEs in these specific regions.
Ultimately, this initiative seeks to contribute to the improved cyber security preparedness of SMEs and help them mitigate threats effectively.