Cyber Security Amid Global Tensions

As tensions between Russia and the Ukraine escalate, the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) has recommended that Australian organisations act urgently to enhance their cyber security systems to increase protection in case of global cyber-attacks.

While there is no current, known threat, historically there is a pattern of cyberattacks against Ukraine that have had international consequences.

With this in mind, the ACSC issued an advisory urging Australian businesses to ensure that their logging and detection systems are updated and functioning, and that they have additional monitoring of their networks where required.

Organisations should also assess their readiness to deal with a cybersecurity incident, including up-to-date business continuity plans.

If you are not sure how prepared you are to deal with a cyber-attack, which could compromise your data security and your ability to run your business, ring our Technology Services team on 1300 764 200 or email cybersecurity@hoodsweeney.com.au.

The ACSC recommends organisations implement the Essential Eight mitigation strategies from the Strategies to Mitigate Cyber Security Incidents as a baseline protection. The Essential Eight makes it more difficult for adversaries to compromise systems.

The Essential Eight mitigation strategies are:

• Application control;

• Patch applications;

• Configure Microsoft Office macro settings;

• User application hardening;

• Restrict administrative privileges;

• Patch operating systems;

• Multi-factor authentication; and

• Regular backups.

You can read more on the alert from the ACSC here.

If you require Technology assistance please contact us on 1300 764 200 or via email, cybersecurity@hoodsweeney.com.au.