-- Across Australia, small-to-medium businesses (SMBs), local councils, and not-for-profits (NFPs) are leaving themselves dangerously exposed by operating without a formal cybersecurity strategy. According to Brisbane-based cybersecurity consultancy vCISO.One, these organisations often rely on reactive “patch jobs” that fail to address the bigger picture.
Without a clear roadmap, cyber spending is often misdirected — chasing the latest threat or compliance requirement rather than tackling the highest-priority risks. The result is a patchwork of policies, tools, and projects that may look good on paper but leave dangerous gaps in practice.
"Failing to plan is planning to fail — and in cybersecurity, the consequences can be catastrophic," says Andrew Egoroff, Founder and Principal Consultant at vCISO.One. "An effective cyber strategy aligns technology, processes, and people to reduce risk in the most cost-effective way possible."
A costly Queensland case underscores the risks. A regional not-for-profit rapidly adopted cloud services during the pandemic but never developed a strategic security plan. When a staff member fell for a phishing email, attackers accessed sensitive data and convinced the finance team to pay $78,000 in fraudulent invoices. The breach exposed that MFA was only partially implemented, there was no cyber risk register, and the board had never received a cyber briefing.
Egoroff says this is common: "Many organisations think passing an IT audit means they’re safe. In reality, without a strategy, key vulnerabilities can remain untouched for years."
Cybersecurity frameworks such as the ACSC Essential Eight, the Information Security Manual (ISM), and ISO/IEC 27001 all recommend a formal, organisation-wide cyber strategy. Such a plan should map risks, assign accountability, and set a realistic 12-18 month improvement path that executives can understand and support.
An effective strategy also improves compliance posture, strengthens insurance coverage, and builds trust with customers, funders, and regulators. For smaller organisations, it doesn’t have to be complex — even a concise, well-structured plan can deliver huge value.
vCISO.One’s free whitepaper, “Secure Smarter, Not Harder,” details 25 of the most common cyber challenges faced by SMBs, councils, and NFPs, with actionable steps for creating a tailored cyber roadmap. It includes real-world examples, plain-language explanations, and practical tips for getting from reactive to ready.
The whitepaper is available for free download here.
About vCISO.One
vCISO.One is an Australian cybersecurity consultancy founded by Andrew Egoroff. The firm specialises in delivering flexible virtual CISO services, cybersecurity program management, risk and compliance consulting, and managed security solutions tailored to small and mid-sized organisations. With decades of international experience and a practical, results-driven approach, vCISO.One helps clients strengthen their security, meet regulatory obligations, and build long-term resilience.
Learn more at www.vciso.one.
Contact Info:
Name: Andrew Egoroff
Email: Send Email
Organization: vCISO.One
Address: 29/97 Creek Street, Brisbane City, Queensland 4000, Australia
Phone: +61-1300-067-003
Website: https://vciso.one
Release ID: 89166899