Small and medium businesses (SMBs) across Australia are increasingly targeted by cybercriminals, with 60% of cyber attacks now focused on SMBs due to their perceived vulnerabilities.
The SMB1001 certification framework provides a structured, cost-effective pathway for Australian businesses to build robust cyber security defences while meeting compliance requirements and gaining competitive advantages in the marketplace.
SMB1001 is Australia's premier cyber security certification framework specifically designed for small and medium-sized businesses with 5 to 200 staff.
Developed by Dynamic Standards International (DSI), this tiered certification program offers a practical alternative to complex international standards like ISO 27001, providing structured guidance through Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond certification levels.
Unlike traditional cyber security frameworks that can overwhelm smaller organisations, SMB1001 recognises the unique challenges facing Australian SMBs: limited budgets, resources, and technical expertise. The framework provides a clear roadmap for improving security posture while maintaining business operations and growth objectives.
Microsolve brings a calm, managed cyber security service that embeds SMB1001 practices across technology management, access control, and employee training so your business can keep running with confidence.
The SMB1001 Certification provides a clear roadmap for improving security posture while maintaining business operations and growth objectives.
Start with bronze and proceed in an additive manner to the level that best suits your Organisation
Address the evolving threat landscape with annual updates to tier requirements
Initial certification levels can be self-assessed for businesses with a good understanding of Cyber Technology
Certification controls align with the requirements of the Essential 8 and International standards
Compared with the complexity of the ISO27001 international standard
The framework provides comprehensive guidelines across essential security areas, including technology management, access control, incident response, and employee training.
Implementing SMB1001 controls significantly reduces the risk of data breaches, ransomware attacks, and other cyber threats that could devastate your business operations.
SMB1001 aligns with Australian cyber security requirements, including the Privacy Act 1988, helping businesses meet local regulations without the complexity of international standards.
This alignment ensures SMBs adhere to national standards while avoiding potential legal issues and regulatory penalties.
Achieving SMB1001 certification signals to clients, partners, and insurers that your organisation prioritises data protection.
This commitment to security fosters trust and provides a competitive edge, as customers increasingly prefer to engage with businesses demonstrating robust cyber security practices.
Many cyber insurance providers now recognise SMB1001 certification, potentially leading to reduced premiums and improved coverage terms.
Certified businesses demonstrate lower risk profiles, making them more attractive to insurers and investors.
As an accredited SMB1001 service provider, Microsolve offers comprehensive advisory-led support through our SecureStart program.
Unlike assessment-only services, we provide hands-on guidance throughout your entire 36-month certification journey, ensuring you not only achieve, but maintain Gold-level certification.
We have created an SMB1001 compliant workshop available to SMBs for further information and as a space to ask questions in real time. Microsolve's SecureStart Workshops are run by our experts and focus on guiding you and your business through crucial cyber security elements to provide a tailored report so you can begin your next steps in securing your business' data.
Our experienced vCISOs and cyber security advisors work alongside your team, providing practical, business-aligned advice tailored to your industry, size, and risk profile. We translate complex security requirements into actionable steps your team can implement.
When you follow our structured roadmap, we guarantee your Gold certification achievement. Our proven methodology has helped numerous Australian SMBs successfully navigate the certification process without overwhelming their operations.
Our fixed monthly pricing model eliminates surprises, allowing you to budget confidently for your cyber security improvement journey. Technical implementation work is quoted separately, giving you complete transparency and control over additional investments.
What's Included in Your Monthly Advisory Fee:
These FAQs help Australian organisations understand how SMB1001 cyber security certification can improve security, reduce ransomware risk, and support compliance obligations while Microsolve manages the detail for you.
SMB1001 is a practical cyber security framework designed for small and mid-sized organisations that want structured, tested controls across technology, access, incident response, and staff awareness. It provides a clear way to show stakeholders you take cyber risk and compliance seriously.
SMB1001 defines controls for technology management, access control, incident response, and employee training, so security becomes consistent rather than ad hoc.
This reduces the likelihood and impact of data breaches, ransomware, and other cyber threats that could disrupt your operations.
Yes, SMB1001 is designed specifically for Australian SMBs that need a structured, achievable approach to cyber security without enterprise-level complexity.
It aligns well with local expectations around data protection, operational continuity, and board-level risk oversight.
Microsolve assesses your current environment, maps gaps against SMB1001 controls, and then implements and manages the required technical, process, and training measures as a managed cyber security partner.
This means your leadership team can focus on operations while security is handled quietly in the background.
Yes, having SMB1001-aligned controls, documented processes, and training records makes it easier to respond to security questionnaires, audits, and due‑diligence requests.
It demonstrates to boards, partners, and insurers that you are actively managing cyber risk.
Yes, employee training is a core part of the framework so staff understand how to recognise and respond to threats like phishing and suspicious activity.
This helps reduce human error, which is a common cause of incidents and data loss.
SMB1001 can sit alongside broader Australian security expectations and guidelines, helping you translate high-level principles into practical controls.
It can also be a stepping stone toward more advanced frameworks if your risk profile grows over time.
Yes, by tightening access control, improving technology management, and defining clear incident response steps, SMB1001 lowers both the chance of an attack succeeding and the impact if it does. This supports better business continuity and faster recovery.
