SAFE AND SOUND

The growing threat of cyber-crime has hit Aussie SMEs hard, but now a new market player is helping small businesses take up the fight. Inside Franchise Business takes a look at Cybercillin, the Aussie-first cyber-security franchise.

The first cyber-security franchise launches in Australia.

“Sixty per cent of all small to mediumsized businesses affected by ransomware during 2016–17 went out of business within six months of the attack.”

That’s the damning statistic that inspired Cybercillin founder and CEO John Burgess to launch an innovative franchise enterprise to aid small business.

Based in Melbourne, Cybercillin is Australia’s first dedicated cyber-security franchise network, offering end-to-end managed services to small and medium-sized enterprises.

“Around 70 per cent of all cyber-attacks in Australia target small and medium-sized organisations … because these organisations are less likely to have the resources or in-house expertise to ensure sufficient systems are in place to protect themselves online,” Burgess says.

The digital age has well and truly taken hold of the Australian SME landscape, indicating online presence is no longer just an added bonus for contemporary businesses; it’s a necessity.

Thanks to a recent increase in media coverage, many organisations are prioritising cyber-security more than ever before. However, the often confusing tech-industry has left many small businesses struggling to keep up.

Malicious cyber-activity against Australian organisations is increasing in frequency, scale, sophistication and severity, resulting in a constantly evolving security industry, both operational and financially, Burgess suggests.

“In Australia, cyber-security services have predominantly been managed in-house or by providers who target large enterprises, meaning small to medium-sized organisations have been poorly serviced,” Burgess says.

Unlike a traditional pay-up-front operation, Cybercillin works on a subscription model, presenting an affordable and accessible security solution for smaller organisations.

“Cybercillin is a brand-new concept – by developing a franchise network of cyber-security specialists, we are helping to make cyber-security accessible to Australian businesses, no matter the size,” Burgess says.

THE MODEL

As the first Australian franchise of its kind, Cybercillin presents franchisees with a ground-floor opportunity to enter a rewarding industry with a huge propensity for growth.

Spending within the sector is forecasted to increase by 15 per cent compounded every year until 2022, with Burgess suggesting Cybercillin’s dedicated approach to training and education serves as a key market differential.

“Cybercillin is addressing a national skills shortage that has been identified in terms of the provision of cyber-security services,” Burgess says.

“Through its Academy, Cybercillin provides potential franchisees, and other interested individuals, with the training to become certified cyber-security specialists, as well as ongoing mentoring from industry experts.”

The training program encompasses all elements of the growing cyber-safety sector, providing franchisees with a strong knowledge base from which to launch their own business.

“Because franchisees have access to full