Reality of cyber-security brought to life at CPA Week in Perth

• Interactive simulation of cyber crisis to test participants
• Warning to WA businesses to prepare for online attacks

Visitors to CPA Week will get the chance to experience the reality of a high-stakes cyber crisis when the conference returns to Perth from Thursday (June 12).

The growing threat of cyberattacks – and how businesses and finance professionals can prepare for them – will be one of the big issues tackled at the annual event from Australia’s largest accounting body, CPA Australia. 

Held at Crown Events and Conference Centre, CPA Week features an array of business and finance experts sharing their knowledge and experience on the big issues facing the accounting profession and Australian business as a whole.

One of the most anticipated events is an interactive simulation of a cyber crisis that will take participants through a high-stakes scenario and test their ability to respond successfully. 

Using generative AI-driven visual effects, the session will provide a dynamic learning experience that mirrors the real-world challenges of dealing with a major cyber event. Participants will gain first-hand insights into the complexities behind such an incident, learning from real-life case studies and hard-earned lessons.

The session is hosted by leading cyber security provider CyberCX.

Megan Lane, Director of Strategic and Crisis Communications at CyberCX, said: “From pandemics to weather events it’s rare to find a team that hasn’t dealt with significant issues management in recent years. But cyber and technology crises are different – and playbooks and plans for other kinds of crisis are not fit for purpose.

“While there is no such thing as a good cyber crisis, undoubtedly some are better managed than others. 

“With thousands of hours spent guiding organisations of all shapes and sizes through the chaos and uncertainty of a cyber-attack, we will sharing our first-hand insights at CPA Week, helping participants grasp the types of decisions that victim organisations are forced to confront.”

CPA Australia’s 2025 Asia-Pacific Small Business Survey found that 23 per cent of Australian small businesses think they are likely to be the victim of a cyber-attack in the next 12 months. Nine per cent said they have lost time or money because of such an incident in the previous year. 

The survey of small business owners and managers from across the Asia-Pacific region also found that many Australian small businesses are not as prepared for a cyberattack as they could be, with just 38 per cent reviewing their cyber security protections in the last six months.

Gavan Ord, CPA Australia’s Business Investment and International Lead, said many small business owners simply don’t have the time and resources to properly prepare for a cyber-attack.

“Unfortunately, many small businesses are incredibly vulnerable to cyber criminals,” he said. “With the day-to-day challenges of running a business – cashflow, customers and red tape – many business owners are already overwhelmed. But it’s crucial they take measures to protect themselves and seek expert advice if they can.” 

CPA Week takes place at Crown Events and Conference Centre over two days from June 12. See the CPA Australia website for more details about the program of events and speakers. 

Media contact

Simon Downes, External Affairs Lead
[email protected]
+61 0401 461 503