According to recently released data, Australia is a top target for hackers and cyberattacks. The data was compiled by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies and shows Australia coming in at an equal sixth place, with 16 major cyberattacks in the period between May 2006 and June 2020.
The details of the report are that the Ukraine tied in sixth place with Australia, followed closely by China, Iran and Saudi Arabia, all with 15 attacks in the same period. The US came in first place with a total of 156 major cyberattacks during the same time frame, followed by the UK in second place with 47 attacks, India in third with 23 attacks, Germany with 21 and South Korea with 18 attacks, as reported by Specops.
The data revealed Australian mining companies, defence contractors and government agencies are popular targets for hacking. Recently, the Federal Government announced a $1.35 billion boost to cybersecurity after the latest attack which saw government and private sector networks crippled.
This will help protect the economy from theft that is extremely costly. The impact and cost of high profile cyber-attacks is detailed in a report by Cybersecurity Ventures, who predict that cyber-attacks will cost the global economy $6 trillion per year by 2021.
Despite this ongoing risk different industries in the economy are prioritising cybersecurity differently. This is highlighted by each sectors varying spending on cybersecurity, with some spending much more than others.
Security within all industries should be top of mind, especially when dealing with sensitive and personal information relating to individuals or sensitive government information. Regardless of the size of a business or organisation, this information must be protected as a priority.
The following are the recommended steps for protecting yourself and your organisation online:
- Ensure any web or email server are fully updated with the latest software.
- Use multi-factor authentication to secure internet access infrastructure and cloud-based platforms.
- Become an Australia Cyber Security Centre(ACSC) partner to ensure you get the latest cyber threat advice, to protect your organisation online.
Currently, there are many affordable and scalable solutions on the market to keep your business secure. And a current review of your systems is always advisable, especially if it hasn’t been done in a while, or if there have been major changes within the business.
If you have questions about your data’s security please get in touch, we are always happy to help.
