Cyber Smart Week is back, and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is urging New Zealanders to take their online safety as seriously as their home security.

The NCSC says over 4.3 million Kiwi account details are already in the hands of scammers.

A worrying figure that’s prompted the launch of a new tool, How Exposed Am I

The site, part of the Own Your Online initiative, lets users check whether their email or password has been caught up in any of the 73 billion data points from global data breaches.

Director of Mission Enablement, Mike Jagusch, says the risks are real and rising.

“This year, 53% of New Zealand’s small to medium businesses told us they experienced a cyber threat in the past six months, significantly higher than the 36% reported last year.”

While 94% of small businesses agree that cyber security is important, many wrongly believe they’re already protected.

“That perception is preventing them from taking simple but crucial steps like turning on two-factor authentication or regularly backing up data,” Jagusch says.

The consequences are costly.

From financial losses and downtime to damaged reputations.

For Hibiscus Coast businesses, the message is clear: check your exposure, switch on 2FA, and back up your data.

Whether you’re a tradie, café owner, or working from home, a few simple steps could make the difference between a normal workday and a crisis.

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