Security

Since the internet revolution, the way we do business has changed beyond recognition. Now we are less likely to have direct contact with clients and customers and face-to-face confirmation that they are who they say they are is no longer an option. This has led to a significant rise in internet fraud, which costs businesses […]

The popular stereotype of a cyber hacker tends to be a young, highly skilled person sitting in a darkened room surrounded by sophisticated computer equipment. It’s an image honed by Hollywood and often supported by mainstream media. However, increasingly, this is not the case. Hackers can be young or old, male or female, and belong […]

Serious weaknesses in the security protocol used for all modern protected Wi-Fi networks, both personal and enterprise, have been exposed by a Belgian researcher who warns cyber attackers can gain access to and manipulate sensitive data or even inject malware into a network.      According to Mathy Vanhoef, a doctoral researcher in computer security from […]

Australian businesses will benefit from increased cyber security through the implementation of a new industry-led cyber security Cooperative Research Centre (CRC), which will receive $50 million in government funding over the next seven years. The funding will leverage more than $89 million from the 25 industry, research and government partners. Assistant Minister for Industry, Innovation […]

In cyber security, the “Insider Threat” refers to potential actions taken by people within an organisation that can cause harm, as opposed to hackers attacking from the outside. Sometimes an insider takes actions maliciously with intent to steal data or cause damage. In other cases, the insider takes actions accidentally by clicking a link or […]

How well does your company communicate internally? Specifically, how well do your IT departments communicate with each other?  Enterprises typically contain four or more IT sub departments (Security, Network Operations, Virtual DC, Capacity Planning, Service Desk, Compliance, etc.) and it’s quite common for them to be at odds with each other, even in good times. […]

Thanks to rapid advances in technology and ubiquitous networking, the number of connected devices in homes and workplaces is skyrocketing. Keen to take advantage of all the digital revolution can deliver, people are embracing everything from tablets and phones to connected cars and IoT devices. The capability and connectivity of these new devices allows them […]

The importance of having well-functioning IT systems that support business processes has pushed cybersecurity up the priority lists of businesses around the world. They realise the impact of technology outages can be significant financial and reputational loss. While attention has traditionally focused on blocking threats such as viruses and worms, it’s now shifting to the […]

Although no business is 100% safe from ransomware, you’d be forgiven if you thought that only large, publicly-listed organisations fall victim to these potentially devastating cyberattacks. After all, when the NotPetya and WannaCry ransomware variants ‘took the world by storm’, just a few months ago, media coverage was dominated by successful intrusions against multinationals such […]

Our complimentary malware webinar next Tuesday (8 August) will feature insights from SonicWall’s ‘Ransomware Tsar’ Brook Chelmo, Ahead of it, read up on the growing IT security risk of malware, including the headline-dominating Petya and WannaCry ransomware attacks. Here are some of our more recent stories on malware: No chance for traditional security solutions in countering the […]

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 […]