Cyber Security
How safe is your business?
40% of all Australian Small Businesses Were Cyber Crime VICTIMS in 2023.
Protect your business by partnering with RDS IT Solutions. We will keep your business secure, remove vulnerabilities, and ensure that you’re safe from future threats.
Your cyber security is only as strong as the weakest link.
Find out how we can start protecting your business today and…
The three biggest threats to your business
Scams & Phishing
Cyber criminals steal millions from unsuspecting businesses each year through sophisticated scams and phishing attacks.
If you don’t have adequate cyber security in place, with adequate staff training, you could easily become a victim.
And the chances are that if you don’t have security in place, you will be a victim.
Social Engineering
Cyber criminals will take advantage of you and your team by tricking you into giving them access to sensitive and important information.
Guarding against social engineering can be extremely difficult as it requires robust security training and knowledge. Criminals thrive on the general lack of awareness regarding social engineering.
Connectivity
Is your air purifier sending more data than your average employee? Does your Temu keyboard have a keylogger?
Are you still using the standard Telstra router for your business?
Unsecure connections are an easy way for criminals to access your network and compromise your business, without anyone realising.
Do you have the time to keep your company secure?
How much time are you spending to try and secure your business?
When we talk about cyber security with our clients, one of the most common feelings that they express is that their executive team had been overwhelmed.
Overwhelmed by the sheer amount of threats and vulnerabilities that they had to try and cover.
Overwhelmed by the time investment in learning, upskilling, and system management that they had to undertake.
By outsourcing their cyber security and IT management, they’ve been able to free-up their schedule and focus on growing their business.
Do You Know Your Data Obligations?
Depending on your industry and your business turnover, you may be obligated to protect your customers’ personal information. Failing to do so can have devasting consequences for your business.
The loss of trust in your business could quickly deter new customers and cause existing customers to leave your brand. Keeping the breach secret is simply not an option, as most businesses are legally required to notify the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) and the individuals affected. Or, risk legal consequences for failing to report a breach.
Your business would have to let your clients and the government know that you failed in your obligations.
So, do you know what your data obligations are?
The List of Cyber Crime Victims in 2024
The list of major organisations and businesses that have been compromised in Australia continues to grow month on month, year on year. While the reporting on small and medium sized businesses that have been hacked or compromised often goes under-reported by media organisations, large businesses are less able to escape the public eye.
Below is a snapshot of some of the highest profile and costly cyber crimes to have occurred in Australia, in 2024.
Panasonic Australia
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Ticketek
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MediSecure
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Qantas
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Telstra
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Wollongong University
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American Express
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Nissan
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AnyDesk
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Football Australia
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MediSecure
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Panasonic Australia - Ticketek - MediSecure - Qantas - Telstra - Wollongong University - American Express - Nissan - AnyDesk - Football Australia - MediSecure -
Barnetts Couriers - 30+ Jobs Lost - Unknown Cost
Early in 2024 Barnetts Couriers, a local Wollongong business that has operated for over 40 years, was forced to close it’s doors due to a cyber security attack.
Little is known about the actual attack, as little information has been publicly released, though a report was filed with the Police.
Over 30 staff were let go, practically overnight, and the business closed down permanently. The cyber attack on Barnetts Couriers is a timely reminder of the danger that cyber crime poses to small businesses.
Source: Illawarra Mercury
MediSecure- 13 Million Australians affected - Unknown Cost
13 million Australians had their personal and medical information compromised. The information taken included: Medicare numbers, medical prescription information, medical information, names, birthdays, addresses, and phone numbers.
It is expected that many of those whose data was compromised would be highly vulnerable to scams and phishing attacks. The cost to the business is currently unknown, as MediSecure has gone into voluntary administration and the cost to those affected is also currently unknown.
Latitude - Cost of $76 million - 14 Million people affected
The financial services giant was rocked by a massive hack which impacted 14 million people across Australia and New Zealand. Hackers were able to gain crucial customer information, including passport details, drivers licence details, and contact information.
Latitude is facing class action lawsuits from the victims and a potential government fine of $50 million dollars.
Source: Latitude Financial
Wollongong University - Unknown Cost - Unknown extent
The university was breached by criminals who may have accessed basic contact information, but most importantly, may have accessed people’s superannuation account details, bank names, and bank account information.
The full extent of the cost, including any costs arising from the breach, has not been released to the public.
Source: CRN (UOW removed their webpage detailing the breach)
Telstra - Fined $1.5 million - Unknown extent
Telstra was fined $1.5 million in mid 2024 for failing to meet requirements set by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), between the period of August 2022 and April 2023.
ACMA requires telecommunication operators to use multi-factor ID authentication before allowing changes or transactions that can compromise a customer's account, and Telstra was found to be non-compliant. This left Telstra customers vulnerable to cyber criminals and cyber crime.