From deepfakes to ransomware, what Australia's SMEs should watch for in 2026

If final yr was the warm-up act for cybercrime, then 2026 is the stadium tour. In accordance with Cybersecurity Ventures, international cybercrime injury prices have been projected to achieve round $10.5 trillion a yr by 2025, with scams and fraud a serious a part of the injury.

In Australia, cyber incidents are actually measured in minutes, not months, and the typical loss for a small enterprise sits within the tens of 1000’s. From a scammer’s standpoint, you’re the candy spot: you maintain cash, buyer information, and entry into greater organisations, however you don’t have the layers of defence or a full-time safety crew they do.

On the similar time, everyone seems to be being informed generative AI will remodel productiveness. Let’s hope so, as a result of proper now it’s positively reworking fraud. With AI supercharging scams, SMEs and startups that lack the finances for a chief safety officer want a transparent view of what to observe for in 2026.

Stacey Edmonds, a SmartCompany contributor who runs Full of life, the Studying Company behind The Cyber Security Sport collection, breaks down the newest cyber threats, from deepfake bosses to ransomware, which might be attacking Aussies.

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