Cybersecurity Risks Soar as Australian Firms Rapidly Adopt AI

According to a recent report by CPA Australia, the accelerating use of AI by Australian businesses is bringing new cybersecurity vulnerabilities that must be proactively managed. The CPA Australia Business Technology Report 2025, which surveyed 1,117 accounting and finance professionals across the Asia-Pacific region, found that 18% of Australian companies experienced loss of time or money due to cyber incidents over the past year.

The report also indicates that smaller businesses are particularly vulnerable, with 14% of Australian companies found to have inconsistent or mostly reactive approaches to cybersecurity policy. While Australian firms are marginally better prepared than the Asia-Pacific average, CPA Australia is cautioning businesses not to become complacent, especially as they increasingly integrate AI into their operations.

In fact, the report reveals that 71% of Australian businesses plan to further integrate AI into their activities by 2026. This trend is expected to boost productivity, but CPA Australia's Gavan Ord expressed concern that the reliance on digital technology could also leave more companies exposed to online attacks. He emphasized that while AI can be "game-changing" for businesses, it is also arming cybercriminals with more sophisticated tools to exploit vulnerabilities.