Security
With less than a year to go until the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) comes into effect, now is the time for small Australian businesses to prepare for compliance or face potentially crippling fines. You might not think it applies to you, however, if your business serves customers or individuals in the European Union, preparing […]
Today, most Australians carry at least one Wi-Fi-enabled device at all times and according to Cisco’s 2016 VNI report, more than 540 million public hotspots are expected to be online by 2021 to support smart devices worldwide further propelling their proliferation. While most retail businesses have realised offering a reliable Wi-Fi network for guests is […]
The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) is working to confirm reports of two Australian companies affected by ‘Petya’, a ransomware attack sweeping the globe. The government agency has referred to Petya as a ‘global ransomware campaign’ and noted that it appears to leverage the same vulnerability as WannaCry, another malicious software that renders data or […]
While the first wave of the WannaCryptor attack has passed, a lassiez-faire approach to cybersecurity will no longer suffice. [Editor’s note: this article is the third in a three-part series on WannaCryptor by Nick FitzGerald.] The attack, which began spreading in the morning of May 12th, 2017 in Europe, was stopped later the same day by an […]
Today, the reality is that Australian start-ups and small business organisations face unprecedented security challenges. According to the 2017 Norton SMB Security Survey, 19% of Australian small businesses have been hit by a cyber attack. At the same time, Gartner says that in 2016, total external spending on cyber security by Australians and Australian organisations […]
WannaCryptor, dubbed “WannaCry” in the media, has been one of the biggest cybersecurity stories in 2017. Leveraging the leaked US National Security Agency (NSA) exploit EternalBlue, the malware spread across the globe at an unprecedented scale and speed for a piece of ransomware. In fact, such fast-spreading malware of any kind has not been seen for […]
Wreaking unprecedented havoc across more than 150 countries, WannaCryptor [1], popularly referred to as WannaCry, spread like wildfire on May 12th2017. By most accounts it impacted over 200,000 users globally, including the UK’s NHS and Spain’s Telefonica. Australia was not spared either, with at least twelve local businesses reported to have been impacted [2]. [Editor’s note: This is […]
In this digital era, most businesses rely on online processes and applications as the backbone of their operations. Manual and paper-based procedures are dwindling as automated and computer-based systems take their place. This increasing digitisation is making businesses more efficient and streamlined, but it also comes with risks that need to be mitigated. Recently, one […]
When it comes to technology, most of us find it hard to resist ditching the old to make way for the new! But what do we do with our old gadgets? Do they find their way to an e-waste heaven, or are they making a mountain of old computers, tablets, and power leads in the […]
Organisations are facing a dilemma. On the one hand, everyone is looking to adopt new technologies and enjoy the business advantages they bring. On the other, we all need to keep ourselves safe, matching technology adoption with best practice cybersecurity. As a result, many organisations find themselves struggling to give users fast and effortless access […]
How would your business cope if tomorrow morning your business critical data was compromised? Data security is a growing concern for many business leaders, affecting all organisations regardless of whether their data is stored in the cloud or in on-premise servers. Data breaches, theft and vulnerability to viruses are just some of the ways your data […]
Ever since computers became vital business tools, organisations have faced a constant battle when it comes to IT security. Viruses, worms and other malware types have caused increasing disruption and losses as their sophistication and capabilities have risen. Fast forward to 2017, and one of the most feared types of cyber attack is ransomware. Designed […]
Accelerated change is the new normal, and for businesses, the rate and the scope is staggering. Not only are organisations dealing with quickly evolving technologies, they’re racing to keep up with shifting customer behaviours and the lightening-fast pace of industry disruptors. To thrive in this environment, many industries are looking at innovative ways to invigorate […]
These days, everyone is on social media, and customers expect you to be too. No matter what industry you’re in, if you don’t have a social media presence, you may not be visible or accessible to a large proportion of potential customers. However, once you’re up and running, a worrying issue that social media managers […]
As 2017 rolls on, cyberattackers will continue to exploit and severely damage Australian businesses by targeting their people, brands, and customers. According to PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), 65% of local organisations have experienced cybercrime in the last 24 months. There are no signs this will slow down as attackers become more savvy, more knowledgeable, and more socially […]
Small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) make a significant contribution to the Australian economy. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, as at June 2015, there were 2,066,086 small businesses nationwide.*(1). In some states such as Western Australia, small businesses represent 97% of all businesses.*(2) Cyber security is as important for these companies as it is for large […]
Identity theft is a well-known threat and not just for individuals – businesses, both big and small, are also at risk. In fact, the Aberdeen Group has found that it costs the global business community roughly US$221 billion annually. For criminals, targeting unsuspecting businesses for identity theft is an attractive undertaking because its highly lucrative and, by comparison, the risks are minimal. […]
By 2020, one in three successful cyber-attacks on organisations will be via shadow IT (Gartner) – in other words, the apps and software employees use without their employer’s approval or authorisation. According to Vaughan Klein, Regional Manager of Collaboration at Cisco Australia and New Zealand, the billions of dollars Australian businesses invest in security annually […]
Due to the increasing prevalence of cyberattacks on SMBs, information security has never been more important. When it comes to mitigating security risks, soccer – arguably the world’s most popular team sport – is full of useful insights for these businesses. Specifically, the key positions on a soccer roster are analogous with the different information security roles people play in […]
The Internet has affected how we learn, work and live. It is inseparable from almost everything we do nowadays. Businesses, even small ones, now rely on tools requiring a connection to the Internet. For instance, the Point-of-Sale machine has completely replaced manual cash registers, allowing payment via debit card and credit cards. Sales and payment […]
