The consequences are severe and increasingly costly. According to the ACSC Annual Cyber Threat Report 2024-25, the average cost of a cyber incident for Australian small businesses is $56,600, rising to $97,200 for medium businesses and $202,700 for large businesses. These costs increased by 14%, 55%, and 219% respectively in just one year. Beyond direct costs, businesses face reputational damage, customer trust erosion, and potential legal penalties under the Privacy Act reaching up to $50 million for serious breaches. Mercury IT helps businesses avoid these consequences through proactive security management.