Nearly half of small businesses (45%) have experienced a random cyberattack in the past year, and 27% experienced a targeted attack, finds a new survey by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB). To help businesses protect themselves, CFIB is launching its Cybersecurity Academy, an online education program to train business owners and their employees on how to improve cybersecurity in their business. The training, developed in partnership with Mastercard and their cybersecurity specialists, includes topics such as preventing ransomware and cyberattacks, recognizing fraud, and identifying and preventing social engineering.
“Cyberattacks are a growing threat to small businesses but enhancing cybersecurity can be intimidating and accessing cybersecurity support can be costly for small businesses,” said Mandy D’Autremont, Vice-President of Marketing Partnerships at CFIB. “This is why CFIB is launching the CFIB Cybersecurity Academy to make learning about this topic more approachable and give business owners practical tools and information to enhance their cybersecurity. We are very excited about this project and the value it will give to business owners and their employees.”
The survey also found that:
- 11% of businesses had experienced a whaling attempt in the past year (a phishing attack targeting or impersonating a CEO or business leader)
- Businesses in the professional services (57% random, 28% targeted) and wholesale (58% random, 38% targeted) sectors were most likely to report experiencing cyberattacks in the past year
- Only 11% of businesses had offered mandatory cybersecurity training to their employees in the past year, and 8% had provided optional training
CFIB’s Cybersecurity Academy will be delivered on a gamified platform in a user-friendly format allowing small business owners and their employees to earn badges and enter into draws for $15,500 in cash. These online lessons will be free to CFIB members. Given the importance of this education, for a limited time and with the support of Mastercard, CFIB is also opening up access to non-members with a free temporary membership to complete the Cybersecurity Academy courses.
“In the digital era, it’s crucial to know how to protect your business and avoid losing valuable assets and time,” D’Autremont continued. “It is paramount that we do everything we can to get small business owners access to cybersecurity training for themselves and their employees. Combining specialized courses, engaging technology, incentives and expanded access will ultimately help protect our members, the broader business community and Canada’s economy.”
“Recent years have highlighted the importance of digitization in all areas – from shopping, to accessing services, to healthcare – and a truly digital economy that works for everyone is critical,” said Aviva Klein, Vice President, Digital Payments and Cyber & Intelligence at Mastercard in Canada. “It’s more important than ever that small businesses are able to protect themselves online and, together with CFIB, Mastercard is helping to ensure they are empowered and informed to help their businesses thrive.”
To learn more and access CFIB’s Cybersecurity Academy, visit www.cfib.ca/cybersecurityacademy.