SMB1001 – A Cybersecurity Standard for NZ SMBs

by | Oct 10, 2025 | Bluechip Infotech New Zealand, SMB1001

SMB1001 is a new cybersecurity standard designed specifically for small to mid-sized businesses in New Zealand. It helps improve cyber resilience without the complexity, cost, or overhead of traditional standards.

Over the past few months, we’ve had more and more conversations with business owners and IT partners about the challenges they’re facing. From navigating rapid digital change, to improving customer experience, to finding the right tools without breaking the budget — the need for practical, reliable solutions has never been stronger.

That’s where SMB1001 comes in.

At its core, SMB1001 isn’t just about technology – it’s about creating a foundation for SMBs to thrive. It’s:

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Simple – easy to adopt, no steep learning curve.

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Value-driven – built with SMB budgets in mind.

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Flexible – fits into existing processes, rather than forcing you to start from scratch.

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Click here to check out our SMB1001 Page for more information.

What we love about SMB1001 is that it acknowledges the everyday reality of SMBs: limited time, limited resources, but unlimited ambition.

Why SMB1001 Matters

Developed in collaboration with cybersecurity experts and industry partners, SMB1001 addresses the unique challenges faced by SMBs. It’s built around five key pillars:
  1. Cyber Hygiene – Basic practices like strong passwords, software updates, and secure backups.
  2. Threat Awareness – Training staff to recognize phishing and social engineering attacks.
  3. Incident Response – Having a plan in place for when things go wrong.
  4. Data Protection – Ensuring customer and business data is stored and handled securely.
  5. Continuous Improvement – Regular reviews and updates to stay ahead of emerging threats.
This framework is designed to be achievable, even for businesses with limited IT support. It’s not about perfection it’s about progress.

What This Means for MSPs

For our Managed Service Provider (MSP) partners, SMB1001 offers a clear roadmap to guide your clients toward better security. It helps you:
  • Standardize your offerings around a recognized framework.
  • Build trust by aligning with a national initiative.
  • Simplify conversations with clients about cybersecurity.
  • Create new service opportunities —from assessments to training and remediation.
Bluechip is proud to support this initiative and we’re actively working with our partners to integrate SMB1001 into their service models. Check out how Coro and Cybercert are collaborating to get you certified.

For us, it’s not just another standard — it’s about empowerment. I’ve seen how the right approach can help a small team punch well above its weight and compete with bigger players.

As cybersecurity threats continue to evolve, having a tailored framework like SMB1001 can make all the difference. It’s not about ticking boxes, but about building confidence, protecting your reputation, and enabling smarter decisions. Whether you’re just starting out or scaling up, SMB1001 offers a practical path forward for New Zealand SMBs.

Dynamic Standards International (DSI) is a multi-tiered cybersecurity certification standard for small and medium-sized businesses.

Cybersecurity Standard