The Australian government understands the speed and severity of cyber threats and has been proactively looking to build national resilience and stronger responses. Recently it announced the Cyber Security Bill 2024, the first standalone Cyber Security Act for Australia. This bill is going to force smaller organisations in particular to review how they approach cyber security.
This bill has several features. It requires victims of ransomware who paid ransom to report that payment to authorities. It also puts additional requirements on organisations in critical infrastructure—think energy, transport, health, communications, and finance—to do more to secure customer data.
There are also minimum security standards for all smart devices outlined in the bill.
If there is one key takeaway, it is that this bill is seen as a “baseline” first step in a much broader vision to transform how Australian organisations handle cyber security.
What does this mean for Australian businesses, especially smaller ones? There’s a lot to grapple with. On one hand, participating in the digital economy is not optional; on the other, what kind of business has the resources to guarantee its ability to handle an attack, as much as guarantees are even possible?
Given that many of them don’t have significant resources, they will inevitably lean on the expertise and capabilities of their partners to develop complete solutions that can meet the requirements of the changing regulatory environment.
However, traditional managed security service providers (MSSPs) and ISVs have at times struggled to deliver the kind of full-suite services and strategic engagement that customers will now need. In many cases, the distributors for these businesses still treat cyber security technology as a product to sell, rather than a comprehensive and long-term engagement. This mindset creates a gap in what many partners can offer customers.
And that is why the Crayon difference is all the more significant.
The cybersecurity challenges facing SMBs
To put into context just how significant the threat to SMBs is, nearly 43% of cyberattacks are aimed at small businesses, yet only 14% of them are prepared to defend themselves against such threats.
The lack of preparedness is not from the lack of awareness. While that is a concern in its own right, close to 50% of SMBs are fully informed about cyber risk. In most cases, the reason for the vulnerability comes down to, simply, resourcing.
Technologies like AI and cloud computing—the kinds of technologies that SMBs want to invest in as part of their digitisation strategy—play a key role in driving business efficiency, but without the proper security measures, they become potential entry points for cyberattacks.
What SMBs need is the proper support of a full security supply chain, from vendor to partner, supporting them.
How Crayon empowers channel partners to strengthen cybersecurity
Crayon has long recognised the unique cybersecurity challenges that channel partners and SMBs face. To address these needs, Crayon developed a robust cybersecurity stack that goes beyond offering security products and allows the security solutions rolled out for SMBs to be strategic, comprehensive, and cohesive. Crayon’s approach emphasises not only providing the right tools but also delivering the expertise and guidance channel partners need to succeed, no matter how big or small they are.
Crayon partners with 20 security vendors across all categories, from endpoint protection to cyber threat intelligence. This broad portfolio allows channel partners to offer a comprehensive solutions portfolio tailored to their customers’ needs. Crayon’s security stack includes three dedicated security assessment services—cloud security, Essential Eight, and Azure risk mitigation—providing partners with the resources to assess and strengthen their customers’ cybersecurity postures.
Over the past year, Crayon has continued to expand its cybersecurity offerings, adding nine new vendors to its Asia Pacific partner ecosystem. This ensures that channel partners always have access to the latest cybersecurity tools and services.
But Crayon’s value proposition goes beyond just the technology; it also offers a security-focused guidance team to its partners called the Technology Advisory Group. This sets Crayon apart from other distributors by allowing it to provide strategic insights and tailored solutions that specifically address each partner’s unique challenges.
Meanwhile, for ISVs, Crayon offers an additional resource, the ISV Innovation Hub, which supports its software partners in scaling their operations and monetizing their cybersecurity offerings more effectively.
Rhonda Robati, Executive Vice President of Crayon Asia Pacific, highlighted the company’s commitment to empowering channel partners.
“At Crayon, we are committed to providing our partners with not only a comprehensive cybersecurity stack but also the expertise and enablement programs needed to help them become their customers’ end-to-end IT provider,” she says. “By collaborating closely with each partner to help them be more strategic, we’re elevating their role as trusted advisors with the knowledge and resources to address pressing cybersecurity challenges. This lets them enjoy substantial cut-through, especially at the smaller end of town, where businesses are less concerned about technology than simply having solutions to their challenges.”
As a result of combining industry-leading technology and deep expertise, Crayon is actively empowering partners to meet the growing demand among SMBs for comprehensive, effective cybersecurity solutions.
Crayon has stepped in to develop a model where its partners can access all the licensing and services they need to deliver robust technology and expertise to address modern challenges. With the support of Crayon’s extended service suite, partners can build thriving cybersecurity practices that unlock significant value and opportunity for their customers.
