Summary
Concord IT is a well-established IT services provider based in Melbourne, with a focus on Microsoft 365 solutions, Hewlett Packard hardware, and cybersecurity services for business clients. With over 14 years in the industry and approximately 80 business clients ranging from small home offices to companies with up to 60 staff, Concord IT has built long-term relationships with its clients, many of whom have been with the company since its inception.
“MPaware has been a great tool for raising cybersecurity awareness among our clients. The quality of the training content is impressive, and many of our clients have likened it to watching Netflix.”
Business Challenge
As cybersecurity threats continue to rise, Concord IT has made a strategic shift to focus more on strengthening its clients’ security posture. The challenge, however, has been ensuring that business clients recognise the importance of cybersecurity training despite the lack of regulatory requirements compelling them to do so. Many SMBs tend to view cybersecurity as an optional extra rather than an essential business safeguard.
Solution
Recognising the need for an engaging and effective cybersecurity training platform, Concord IT introduced MPaware to its clients. The decision was influenced by firsthand experience, as Concord IT had already been using MPaware internally. Prior to this, they had evaluated other platforms, including one from Huntress, but found those alternatives to be less engaging, overly simplistic, and lacking gamification elements.
MPaware stood out due to its high-quality video content, which clients have compared to Netflix, and its intuitive dashboard that allows businesses to monitor engagement and identify high-risk employees. The micro-training modules help reinforce cybersecurity best practices without overwhelming users, keeping the topic fresh in employees’ minds.
Result
Since implementing MPaware, Concord IT has seen significant improvements in client engagement with cybersecurity awareness. Key benefits include:
- Increased Awareness: Clients have reported that employees are more vigilant against phishing attacks.
- Gamification Boosts Participation: Some clients have successfully implemented incentives such as cinema vouchers and restaurant gift cards for employees completing training, leading to higher participation rates.
- Improved Cybersecurity Conversations: MPaware has helped initiate discussions within businesses about additional security measures, such as restricting USB access, implementing application control, and web content filtering.
- Franchisor Rollout: One client, a franchisor, is now considering making MPaware a requirement for all franchisees, further expanding its adoption.
Future Outlook
Concord IT remains committed to strengthening cybersecurity awareness across its client base. They are particularly interested in enhancements that would improve user management, such as streamlining email address changes for employees without losing training progress. Additionally, Concord IT sees an opportunity for MPaware to incorporate training on broader security controls, such as application control and privilege management, to encourage SMBs to adopt stronger cybersecurity defenses.
As Andrew Dent puts it, “Humans are the weakest link in cybersecurity. The more we can educate and empower staff to recognise threats, the better equipped businesses will be to prevent costly security incidents.”
By continuing to integrate MPaware into its cybersecurity offerings, Concord IT is playing a vital role in raising the cybersecurity maturity of SMBs, ultimately helping businesses stay secure, productive, and resilient against modern threats.