Though industry has enjoyed a well-deserved break over the recent holiday period, unfortunately, cyber-crime has not stopped – and will continue to be a prominent threat as we move into 2022.
The ACSC’s latest Annual Cyber Threat Report shows the cyber threats facing Australian small and medium-sized businesses are growing.[1]
When ransomware gets into your device, it makes your computer or its files unusable. Cybercriminals use ransomware to deny you access to your files or devices. They then demand you pay them to get back your access.
Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price recently noted that current ransomware raids and business email compromise are getting more sophisticated and destructive.
“The ACSC’s latest Annual Cyber Threat Report shows the cyber threats facing Australian small and medium-sized businesses are growing and it is a sharp reminder that heartless cybercriminals have them well and truly in their sights,” Minister Price said.
Utilising all the tools available to you is key in protecting your business and clients from cyber-crime – and the ACSC Partnership Program can help provide valuable layers of defence.
The initiative enables Australian organisations and individuals to engage with the ACSC and fellow partners, drawing on collective understanding, experience, skills and capability to lift cyber resilience across the Australian economy.
PEXA’s Chief Information Security Officer David Willett says that partnering with the ACSC just makes sense for PEXA.
“The ACSC already does an excellent job of bringing industries and businesses together to help combat evolving cyber threats.
“Given the ever-increasing threat to the property sector in Australia, this partnership helps leverage PEXA and the ACSC’s unique threat intelligence to reach a broader audience and further reduce the impact of cyber-attack to our industry.”
The ACSC Partnership Program is delivered through the ACSC’s network of Joint Cyber Security Centres (JCSCs), physically located in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney, along with outreach services virtually located in Darwin and Hobart.
Many owners and operators of small businesses don’t have the time or resources to dedicate to cyber security. However, there are simple measures that a small business can introduce to help prevent common cyber security incidents and help you get ahead of a cyber-attack.
In addition to exploring the partnership program, industry members can access the ACSC’s Small Business Cyber Security Guide – specifically designed for small businesses to understand, take action, and increase their cyber security resilience against ever-evolving cyber security threats. The language is clear, the actions are simple, and the guidance is tailored for small businesses.
If you believe that you may be a victim of cybercrime and would like to report a cyber incident, or are just looking for advice, visit cyber.gov.au or call their hotline on 1300 CYBER1 (1300 292 371) operating day and night, seven days a week.
It is imperative that we all play our part in keeping clients, members and ourselves protected online so that we can stay secure together.
[1] https://www.minister.defence.gov.au/minister/melissa-price/media-releases/hotline-help-australian-businesses
