Queensland Tourism Boosted by New Cybersecurity Training to Protect Small Businesses, Get the Details Here

Published on November 24, 2025

The Queensland tourism industry is preparing for its busiest summer yet. With the help of a new companion program sponsored by the Queensland Government, small tourism enterprises will be educated on how to safeguard their business from online threats. Since small enterprises all over Australia are being targeted by cybercrime, the government is providing free tourism related cyber security education. With operators under constant threat from the growing sophistication of cybercriminals, this program, ‘Cyber Wardens’ is a step in the right direction.

A Growing Concern: The Cyber Threats Facing Queensland’s Tourism Sector

Cybercrime has become a significant concern for small businesses, particularly in industries such as tourism, where customer data, online bookings, and financial transactions are essential to daily operations. According to government statistics, small businesses account for 43% of all cybercrime incidents in Australia. This alarming figure highlights the vulnerability of small tourism operators, who often lack the resources or expertise to implement robust cybersecurity measures.

The costs of cyberattacks are also on the rise, with the average cost of an attack now exceeding $56,000 in the 2025 financial year. The increasing frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks make it even more challenging for tourism businesses, many of which are family-run and have fewer than 20 employees, to stay protected. Tourism operators in Queensland, particularly those running accommodation providers, tour companies, and booking platforms, are increasingly feeling the strain.

Cyber Wardens Training: Empowering Tourism Businesses

In response to these growing concerns, the Queensland Government has rolled out the Cyber Wardens training program, specifically designed to help small tourism businesses protect their digital systems. The program is part of the Queensland Government’s Small and Family Business First Action Statement, which aims to support small businesses across the state in strengthening their digital resilience.

Minister for Small and Family Business Steve Minnikin emphasized the importance of giving tourism operators the practical skills needed to stay ahead of cyber threats. “The aim of the Cyber Wardens training is to help business owners and staff recognize scams, protect bookings, and reduce financial exposure to cybercrime,” he said. The program aims to equip businesses with the knowledge and tools to protect their most vulnerable systems, such as online booking platforms, customer data, and financial transactions, all of which are prime targets for cybercriminals.

The timing of this initiative could not be more critical. With the summer season approaching, tourism operators are expected to experience an influx of bookings, making it even more important to ensure that their online systems are secure and their customer data is protected. The training program provides businesses with the opportunity to safeguard their operations and avoid costly disruptions during this peak period.

The Impact of Cybercrime on Queensland’s Tourism Economy

Queensland’s tourism sector is a vital contributor to the state’s economy, generating more than $100 million per day. With over 65,000 tourism-related businesses in the state, many of which are family-owned or operate with fewer than 20 employees, the local economy relies heavily on the success of small tourism businesses. These businesses, ranging from hotels and resorts to tour operators and booking agents, are the backbone of Queensland’s tourism industry.

However, the rising number of cyberattacks poses a significant threat to these businesses. A successful cyberattack can disrupt operations, damage a business’s reputation, and lead to significant financial losses. More than four in five small businesses have reported exposure to cybercrime over the past year, with many operators falling victim to phishing scams, ransomware attacks, and data breaches. The financial and reputational damage caused by these incidents can take a long time to recover from, especially for small businesses already facing tight margins and staffing challenges.

Minister for Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell stressed the importance of cybersecurity in the tourism sector. “Cyber safety is essential for an industry contributing more than $100 million per day to Queensland’s visitor economy. Protecting customer data and booking systems from cyber threats is vital to maintaining confidence in the state’s tourism offerings,” he said.

Cybersecurity Training: Addressing Human Error and Raising Awareness

A key focus of the Cyber Wardens program is educating business owners and staff on how to recognize and prevent common cybersecurity threats. Research has shown that human error is responsible for the majority of cyber incidents, with staff members often unknowingly falling victim to phishing scams or making simple security mistakes that leave systems vulnerable. The training program includes a free 30-minute webinar, scheduled for November 25, which will walk tourism operators through common cyber threats, financial red flags, and everyday habits that can significantly reduce the risk of a cyberattack.

COSBOA Chair Matthew Addison welcomed the partnership between the Queensland Government and small business associations, highlighting that cyber resilience is becoming just as important as physical safety measures for tourism experiences. “Most cyberattacks stem from simple mistakes that can be prevented with better awareness and training. This program will help businesses implement basic cybersecurity practices that will protect them from the growing digital threat landscape,” he said.

The training is designed to be practical and accessible, providing operators with easy-to-apply tips and tools to secure their digital systems. With the support of the Cyber Wardens program, tourism businesses can gain the confidence and knowledge they need to navigate the complex world of cybersecurity and protect their customers’ sensitive data.

The Future of Cybersecurity in Tourism

The Cyber Wardens initiative from the Queensland Government is part of a more developed strategy to improve the security of small businesses in Australia, and is no doubt the result of the Australia Government funded collaboration with the Australian Government, and is a critical small business resource. COSBOA is also keenly aware of the importance of cyber security in modern business, especially with respect to services such as tourism, where a business must be able to conduct various value added transactions.

Recognising the importance cyber security will play in the future development of the industry, the tourism small business operators of Queensland must ensure that they will be able to mitigate with the digital environment and its electronic business risks with appropriately developed cyber security training. More than anything, this will ensure that the tourists will be able to experience Queensland while enjoying the peace of mind and security that comes with the protected on-line holiday booking.

With the increasing risks, potential cyber threats, and security concerns, The Cyber Wardens Initiative will contribute to the tourism/economic activity and overarching business security important to Queensland and enable small enterprises to keep trusting clients, minimize system downtimes, and safeguard regionally created employment opportunities. The successful operation of this program will provide a template for other areas and sectors, with the same kinds of risks, to implement effective and streamlined cyber security programs.