Protect your pet business from cyberattacks

Running a pet business is a labour of love, whether you’re grooming pups in Perth, managing a pet shop in Brisbane, or running a boarding kennel in regional Victoria. Your days are filled with wagging tails and happy customers. But have you thought about the risks lurking online? Cybercrime is no longer something that only happens to big banks and airlines overseas – it’s happening right here in Australia, to Australian businesses, right now. One cyber-attack could lead to financial losses, reputational damage, or even force your business to shut down. That’s why Cyber Insurance is so important – it protects your business from digital threats so you can focus on what you do best. Let’s break down why it’s essential, what’s been happening in Australia recently, and how it acts as a safety net for your business.

Jump to:

• It’s already happening in Australia
• What is Cyber Insurance?
• Why do pet businesses need Cyber Insurance?
• What does Cyber Insurance cover?

It’s already happening in Australia

You don’t need to look far for proof that Australian businesses, including pet businesses, are squarely in cybercriminals’ sights.

Qantas, June 2025. Hackers gained access to a third-party customer service platform used by one of Qantas’s call centres, exposing the personal details of approximately 5.7 million customers — names, email addresses, frequent flyer numbers, birthdates and contact details. Investigators traced the breach back to a “phishing” attack: a scammer rang the call centre, impersonated an employee, and talked their way past security to gain access. In response, Australia’s privacy watchdog, the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, has warned that vishing attacks are on the rise, with social engineering now behind more than a quarter of all malicious data breaches reported in Australia.

Booking.com, 2026. Australian travellers were caught up in a data breach at the travel giant after hackers accessed names, email addresses, phone numbers and booking details tied to a number of reservations. Affected customers were warned to watch out for follow-up phishing emails, calls and WhatsApp messages from scammers using the stolen details to appear convincing.

Veterinary practices are now in the firing line too. Industry body COSBOA has warned that vet clinics are an increasingly attractive target for hackers, given Australia has one of the highest rates of pet ownership in the world, with around 5.7 million households owning a pet. One Victorian vet practice, Torquay Animal House, recently caught an employee impersonation email that was part of a payroll scam targeting the clinic. Its co-owner, vet Dr Mark Yee, said cyber security has simply become a part of running a modern small business — and urged other pet businesses to take it just as seriously. As he put it: “Keep your paws off our business.”

These cases all share a common thread: it’s rarely the biggest, most “obvious” company that gets hit. It’s whoever has data worth stealing and a gap in their defences — and that includes vet clinics, groomers, boarding kennels, pet shops and every other pet business handling customer details online.

What is Cyber Insurance?

Cyber Insurance is like a digital shield for your business. It’s designed to protect you from the impacts of cyber-attacks and online threats. Whether it’s a hacking attempt, ransomware, or a data breach, Cyber Insurance can help cover the costs of recovery, legal fees, and even reputation management.

If your pet business relies on tools like online booking systems, payment processors, or customer databases, Cyber Insurance is a must-have.

Why do pet businesses need Cyber Insurance?

You might think, “I’m just a small dog walking business or a local cattery… why would hackers target me?” The truth is that small businesses are prime targets. Hackers know that many small companies don’t have strong security measures in place.

According to the Australian Signals Directorate’s most recent Annual Cyber Threat Report, a cybercrime is reported in Australia roughly every six minutes, and the average self-reported cost of a cybercrime incident to a small business has climbed to around $56,600. Pet businesses, in particular, use systems that handle sensitive data like payment information and customer contact details. A single attack could cost you thousands, not to mention the time and stress involved in recovering.

The growing cybercrime threat

Cybercrime in Australia is becoming increasingly sophisticated, and increasingly targeted at smaller operators who attackers assume will have weaker defences.

Common cyber threats

Phishing emails and vishing calls
Someone on your team clicks a fake email or takes a convincing phone call from someone pretending to be IT support or a supplier, giving hackers access to your systems. Cyber Insurance can cover the costs of investigation and recovery.

Ransomware attacks
Hackers lock you out of your booking system or client records and demand payment to restore access. Cyber Insurance helps with IT support and can cover the cost of ransom payments.

Customer data breaches
Sensitive client information is leaked, leading to potential legal consequences under the Privacy Act. Cyber Insurance covers notification costs, legal fees, and PR advice to help repair trust with your customers.

Malware and downtime
Malware infects your systems, halting operations. Cyber Insurance covers restoration costs and financial losses from downtime.

What happens if you don’t have Cyber Insurance?

Without Cyber Insurance, recovering from a cyber-attack can be overwhelming for a business owner. You may face unexpected expenses for cybersecurity experts, data recovery, and compensating customers. Rebuilding trust with customers could take months, or even years.

For many small businesses, the costs of a severe cyberattack are simply too much to handle, and some never reopen. Cyber Insurance means that you have the financial and operational support needed to get back on your feet quickly.

What does Cyber Insurance cover?

• Investigating cybercrime: Figuring out what went wrong and how to stop it from happening again.
• Recovering data: Getting back important business and customer info.
• Managing your reputation: Dealing with the aftermath of hacks or bad press.
• Handling ransom payments: Covering extortion demands if it’s the only solution.
• Notifying customers: Staying compliant with the Privacy Act and letting affected clients know what’s going on.

How you can reduce cyber risks

Cyber Insurance is a must, but taking a few proactive steps can help prevent attacks from happening in the first place.

• Keep software updated: Regular updates can fix security gaps before they become a problem.
• Backup your data: Make it a habit to back up important files to a secure cloud system every week.
• Educate yourself and your team: Veterinary and pet business staff can access free, COSBOA-run Cyber Wardens training, accredited by the Australian Veterinary Association for CPD points, to learn how to spot phishing emails, vishing calls and other common scams.
• Verify before you trust: If someone calls or emails asking for a password reset, a payment, or sensitive client details, hang up or pause and verify their identity through a separate, known channel before acting.

Combine these steps with Cyber Insurance, and you’ll have a solid defence against cyber threats.

Protect your pet business now

Cyber threats are a growing concern for Australian pet businesses, and no pet business can afford to ignore them. Whether you run a grooming salon, boarding kennel, veterinary practice or pet supply shop, relying on digital tools increases your exposure to cyber risks.

A single attack could jeopardise everything you’ve worked so hard to build. But with Cyber Insurance, you’ll have the support you need to recover quickly and avoid long-term damage.

If you’re already a Petcover policyholder, or you’d like to find out how Cyber Insurance can be added to your professional cover, get in touch with our team today on 1300 731 324 or email professional.au@petcovergroup.com.