One New Zealand today announced it is bolstering its support of small businesses, offering them a free self assessment available online at One NZ IT Partner Programme, followed up with a free comprehensive security audit for business that need more, empowering them with the tools and techniques to help protect themselves from the growing threat of hacks and attacks online.

The move comes following the signing of 10 IT Partners to help support its small and medium enterprise (SME) customers with the shift to digital across Aotearoa. These partners have a strong footprint and reach in their local communities and will be well placed to help local business.

SMEs are a prime target for cyber-criminals, One NZ Head of SME & Partnerships Annaliese Atina says.

“43% of cybercrime is targeted at small businesses here in NZ, and the majority of these business owners lack the knowledge and funds to deal with the repercussions of a cyber-attack. These are time poor, hard-working people that form the backbone of Aotearoa’s economy, and we want to help take some of that worry away.”

Support across the motu

One NZ is currently touring the country with its Cyber Security Roadshow, with cyber security experts from Trend Micro and Business Mentors New Zealand shedding light on the ever-evolving risks faced by small businesses and unpacking how to assess and mitigate the threats to keep safer online.

Atina says: “We have joined forces with trusted local IT Partners across the motu and are working together to close this gap. Together we will find opportunities to better support our SMEs to become more resilient.”

One NZ SME customers are also eligible for the new SME Resolution Guarantee , where if customers have a connectivity issue within One NZ’s control with their mobile or broadband and technicians are unable to fix it by the end of the next business day, the account will be credited $200*.

Customers also benefit from One NZ's strengthened cyber defence capability, working with partners DEFEND and the GCSB’s National Cyber Security Centre to block malware and malicious URLs at the network level.

Customers can sign up at one.nz/roadshow

Cyber Security Roadshow Dates & Locations

• Rotorua: September 11
• Tauranga: September 12
• Whangarei: September 18
• Kaitaia: September 19
• Kerikeri: September 20
• Masterton: October 9
• Hamilton: October 11
• Christchurch: October 18
• Invercargill: October 25

The stats

• 43% of cybercrime is targeted at small businesses.
• 2/3 of small businesses reported being the target of a cyber-attack in 2022.
• The average cost of a data breach for an SME is $173k.
• 83% of small businesses lack the funds to deal with the repercussions of a cyber-attack.
• 95% of cyber security breaches are attributed to human error.

*SME Resolution Guarantee

Terms apply, please see one.nz/business/sme-resolution-guarantee/ for full terms.