Cyber security pricing for small businesses is opaque in Australia. Providers rarely publish prices, and the range of what 'cyber security' covers varies enormously — from an antivirus subscription to a fully managed security operations centre. This guide makes it transparent.
What cyber security actually covers for a small business
For an Australian small business (5–50 users), core cyber security covers: endpoint protection (antivirus + EDR), email security (anti-phishing, anti-spam, DMARC), multi-factor authentication, patch management, backup management, and security monitoring. These seven layers address the vast majority of small business cyber incidents.
Cyber security cost breakdown for Australian small businesses
Endpoint detection and response (EDR) — $8–$20/device/month
EDR is the modern replacement for antivirus — it detects and responds to threats in real time rather than relying on known signature databases. Platforms include Microsoft Defender for Business (included in Microsoft 365 Business Premium), CrowdStrike Falcon, and SentinelOne. For a 20-user business with 25 devices: $200–$500/month.
Email security — $5–$15/user/month
Business email compromise is the leading cause of financial loss in Australian cyber incidents. Email security covers anti-phishing, anti-spam, impersonation protection and DMARC/DKIM/SPF configuration. For a 20-user business: $100–$300/month.
Security monitoring (SOC/MDR) — $20–$60/user/month
24/7 security monitoring — where a security operations centre watches your environment for threats and responds to incidents — costs significantly more than endpoint protection alone. For most small businesses, this layer is covered by managed IT with EDR rather than a dedicated SOC.
Total cyber security cost for a 20-user Australian small business
- Minimal (antivirus only): $100–$200/month — not recommended
- Core (EDR + email security + MFA): $400–$800/month
- Comprehensive (core + monitoring + Essential Eight): $800–$1,500/month
- Enterprise (core + dedicated SOC + compliance): $2,000+/month
Where to spend first
If budget is limited, prioritise in this order: MFA (cheapest, highest impact — blocks 99.9% of account compromises), email security (business email compromise is the biggest financial risk), EDR (replaces antivirus with active threat detection), then patching (most ransomware exploits known vulnerabilities with patches available). Everything else is layered on top.
Cyber security bundled with managed IT
The most cost-effective approach for Australian small businesses is often a managed IT provider who includes cyber security in their monthly price. Bundled, these services typically cost $160–$220/user/month — versus $120–$160 for managed IT alone plus $40–$80 for standalone security. The bundled price is similar or cheaper, with better integration.
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