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Did you know that in Shani Shingnapur (a village in India), the houses have doorways but no doors*? 

If you think the village residents are taking security for granted, would you be surprised to learn that some businesses also have no doors? 

In Australia, there are businesses that have managed IT services but no cyber security strategy in place – and some may think they do because IT encompasses many different technologies, capabilities and functions. We’re here to tell you that partnering with a Managed IT Services Provider (MSP) does not automatically mean your cyber security is covered. In that instance, it is very much like having a house with just an open doorway or having a house with a door but without any lock at all. 

This article explores the difference between general managed services and specialised managed security services, beginning with a background on managed IT services. 

(*NOTE: Read to the end to find out why houses have no doors in Shani Shingnapur.) 

Understanding Managed IT Services 

Managed IT services is the practice where a third-party provider manages your IT by maintaining your infrastructure and anticipating your needs for a fixed monthly fee. These services should align with the goals and vision of the business, and by doing so can boost productivity and efficiency. Often those services include: 

• Cloud management 
• Monitoring and maintenance 
• IT support 
• Regular hardware and software upgrades and patch installation 
• Backup and recovery 

Benefits of Managed IT Services 

Managed IT services are for businesses that may not have the time, skills, or experience to deal with certain IT tasks on their own, and also want to focus on more meaningful projects. Partnering with an MSP has many advantages such as: 

Cost Savings 

• Fixed monthly fee which removes unexpected costs  
• Reduced hardware and software expenses 
• No need to spend on hiring, training, and retaining in-house IT staff

Less Downtime 

• 24/7 system and network monitoring  
• Proactive detection and resolution of IT problems can prevent downtime 
• Backup and disaster recovery solutions can reduce downtime in case of any cyber threat, catastrophe, or equipment damage 

Productivity & Efficiency Boost 

• Overseeing all the IT needs of a business helps to keep it running smoothly 
• More time and resources to focus on core business activities and goals 

Top Tech Tools & Expertise 

• Access to a range of the latest tools and technologies 
• Tap into specialised knowledge, skills, and experience 

The advantages of managed IT may vary from sector to sector. This article shares details applicable to medical, healthcare, and associated services: 5 Key Ways IT Services Can Help Healthcare Professionals. 

Cyber Security: The Vital Element 

With all the benefits of managed IT, not all MSPs offer the same level of service or expertise. Traditionally MSPs would exclude cyber security from their general managed services, which can unwittingly leave a business vulnerable to cyber threats.  

Cyber security has become essential to all businesses and cannot be considered as an add-on anymore. It requires specialised knowledge and tools that help to protect your data, systems, and networks from cyber-attacks, and should align with your day-to-day IT management. Nowadays, you must consider managed IT services agreements that include comprehensive cyber security solutions. 

The Specialisation that is Cyber Security 

Whilst a heart surgeon is a specialist within the medical field, a cyber security expert is a specialist within IT. All IT professionals will probably have a rather solid understanding of computer systems, but chances are they are not all cyber security experts.  

For example, MSPs can install a firewall but may not be equipped to respond to a sophisticated data breach or ransomware. They might also set up email filters to block spam but some won’t have the expertise or the tools if your staff click on a malicious phishing email. 

Similarly whilst MSPs usually handle regular software updates, not all MSPs are up-to-date with the latest security vulnerabilities that require urgent patches. 

Cyber security specialists are specifically trained to protect your business from all sorts of cyber threats, so they need to have: 

• Up-to-date knowledge about security vulnerabilities and threat mitigation techniques, especially since cyber threats keep evolving 
• A full understanding of the industry regulations and standards related to data protection and privacy 
• Strong problem-solving skills and the agility to quickly respond to security breaches and minimise damage 

The Importance of Specialised Cyber Security Services

Cyber security is never a one-size-fits-all solution. Different businesses have unique needs and goals. Every business must have cyber security measures that are tailored to their industry, location, and business objectives and requirements. 

If you are a business owner or manager of an organisation, you know the extreme importance of keeping your operations running smoothly and securely. You probably also know how challenging it can be to keep your business fully compliant with regulations and safe against cyber threats. For example, there are compliance issues specific to medical practices as we discuss it in our article How IT Services Can Help with Compliance in Your Medical Practice. 

A managed cyber security service could be the answer to those challenges. 

Managed Cyber Security Services in Brisbane or Townsville 

Managed cyber security services can help your business, whether it is located in Brisbane, Townsville or anywhere else in Queensland, with a comprehensive and tailored protection strategy that could provide: 

• Access to a dedicated team of cyber security experts who understand your industry and local market 
• A proactive approach that mitigate cyber-attacks before they cause too much damage or disruption 
• A 24/7 monitoring and alerting system that detects and responds to any suspicious activity or incident 
• A regular reporting and review process that keeps you informed and compliant 
• A flexible and scalable service that adapts to your changing needs and growth 

What to Look for in a Cyber Security Provider 

When choosing a partner for your cyber security needs, look for the following: 

• Experience and expertise in your industry and region 
• A holistic and integrated approach that covers all aspects of cyber security 
• A transparent and collaborative communication style that keeps you in the loop 
• A customer-centric and outcome-focused mindset that delivers value and satisfaction 
• A commitment to continuous improvement and innovation that keeps you ahead of the curve 

Managed Security Services Demystified 

*There are no doors in Shani Shingnapur because its residents have faith in the full protection of Lord Shanaishwar (or Shani). The villagers believe that their Lord Shani lives right in the village to protect them from all threats. 

What about your business – who is protecting it? Are you 100% confident that your MSP can keep it safe from all cyber threats? Do you need to review your managed IT services contract or call your MSP to review which security measures are included in it? 

If you’re not sure about your cyber security posture, how compliant you are with your industry regulations and what reporting to expect as a board member or an executive in your business, ADITS has developed a tailored and comprehensive training workshop. 

The key takeaways 

• Understand the gap between current efforts and where your organisation needs to be 
• Discharge your responsibility 
• How to grow a cyber skilled workforce 
• Meet current and future regulation and legislation 

Register your interest to our board and executive training session:  

Have you noticed? Cyber threats are like a disease. They can infect your systems, spread quickly, and cause damages to your business.  

Cyber threats are also evolving, just like new virus strains can emerge anytime (remember COVID?!) – so you need to prepare for them.  

We present here what to expect with cyber threats this year, alongside the 2024 cyber threats countermeasures. Read on or click on any topic below:

1. Ransomware Double Extortion
2. Internet of Things (IoT) Devices
3. Supply Chain Attacks
4. State-Sponsored Attacks (SSA)
5. Quantum Computing

1. Ransomware Double Extortion

Ransomware is a form of malware that infects your IT systems and encrypts your data. You will only get your accesses back once you pay a ransom. After you do so, the cyber criminal should release your data but there isn’t any guarantee that things will go back to business as usual.  

Ransomwares are not new. The double extortion steps are. The attackers will not only encrypt the victim’s data, they will also steal it and threaten to release it publicly unless you pay another ransom.  

On the 2nd of January 2024, the Court Services Victoria (CSV) reported that Victoria’s court system had been hit by ransomware. The attack affected recordings of hearings in County Court cases, the Supreme Court, and the Magistrates Court. “It’s a double extortion approach. They take the data out, and then encrypt it. If you don’t pay, they leak your data, and you will never access it,” noted Robert Potter of Internet 2.0.  

How can you prepare for ransomware double extortion?  

• Have a strong backup and disaster recovery plan in place so you can restore your data without paying the ransom.  
• Keep your computer updated with the latest security patches 
• Use strong passwords 
• Master email security by avoiding clicking on suspicious links or downloading attachments from unknown sources  
• In case you’re victim of a ransomware attack, immediately isolate the affected systems and power them down to prevent further damage. Then, get help from a cyber security solutions provider to chase the bad actors out of your systems and try to recover as much of your data as possible. But remember IT specialists are not magicians, without strong recovery measures in place there isn’t much they can do about that!   

2. Internet of Things (IoT) Devices

The Internet of Things (IoT) is the network of devices that can communicate and exchange data online. IoT devices can include smart appliances, sensors, cameras, wearable technology, and more. 

Because IoT devices can help with efficiency, productivity, and customer satisfaction, they will become even more prevalent this year. The Australian government estimates 21 billion IoT devices by 2030. However, these can pose a threat to businesses. IoT devices are often not very secure and can be easily hacked, so attackers can use them to gain access to the target’s network.  

The most recent available data from Check Point Research showed an average of nearly 60 IoT attacks per week per organisation. The most affected region was Europe, followed by APAC. One of the most affected sectors is Education & Research. 

To defend against IoT attacks, organisations should follow these best practices: 

• Purchase IoT devices from brands that prioritise security. 
• Secure your IoT devices with complex passwords, multi-factor authentication (MFA), encryption, and firewalls. 
• Update your IoT devices regularly with the latest software and firmware patches. 
• Use separate networks for IT and for IoT. 
• Monitor your IoT devices for any suspicious or abnormal activity. 
• Educate your staff and customers about the risks and responsibilities of using IoT devices. 
• Implement a comprehensive IoT security strategy for your business and a zero-trust policy for connected devices. 

3. Supply Chain Attacks

A supply chain attack targets the software, hardware, or services used by an organisation or its suppliers. Attackers will often target the weakest link in the supply chain, which can be a third-party vendor. After gaining access through the supply chain, the attackers will then move laterally to the target’s network.  

A memorable supply chain attack happened back in 2021 when cybercrime group, Revil, targeted businesses by exploiting a vulnerability in their Kaseya software platform. The attackers demanded ransoms of up to $7 million. Such attacks will increase this year due to the complexity of global supply chains, the reliance on third-party suppliers and the sophistication of cyber attackers with the widespread use of generative AI tools. 

Your business can reinforce its defences against supply chain attacks via these measures: 

• Conduct regular risk assessments and audits of your suppliers and partners, verifying their security practices and compliance standards 
• Implement robust security controls and policies for your systems and networks, ensuring they are updated and patched regularly* 
• Train your staff and stakeholders on how to recognise and report suspicious or malicious activities or communications 
• Establish clear communication channels and protocols with your suppliers and partners, so you can verify their identity and authenticity before transacting or sharing any sensitive information 
• Develop contingency plans and backup strategies for your supply chain operations, testing them periodically 

*Ask your cyber security services Brisbane consultant or cyber security solutions Townsville provider for guidance. 

4. State-Sponsored Attacks (SSA)

State-sponsored attacks (SSA) are orchestrated or supported by a government or nation-state. They are often sophisticated and well-funded, targeting specific individuals, organisations, or government entities for political, economic, or espionage purposes. Some examples of such attacks are the hacking of political party conventions, multi-country ransomware attacks, and spying on certain technologies and industries.  

SSA pose a serious threat globally as they can cause damage to critical infrastructure, disrupt business operations, steal sensitive data, influence public opinion, and undermine trust. These are expected to increase in 2024, with the spread of AI use and the 2024 elections happening in the United States, India, Russia, the United Kingdom, Taiwan, and Mexico.  

Government entities and critical infrastructures must take proactive steps for protection against SSA, such as: 

• Implement a robust and tailored cyber security strategy that covers all specific aspects of your network, systems, data, and people 
• Monitor your network for any signs of intrusion or compromise, and respond quickly to any incidents 
• Collaborate with industry associations, and other government agencies to share information and best practices on SSA prevention and mitigation 

5. Quantum Computing

While practical quantum computing could still be a few years away, significant developments will happen in 2024. As quantum computers are able to perform tasks much faster than classical computers, it can be both good and bad for cyber security.  

Quantum computing could improve cryptography and create more secure communication channels. But quantum computers can also pose a serious threat to cyber security solutions: They can break some of the current encryption methods that protect data and communications. 

Further developments in quantum computing in 2024 could include the following: 

• Cyber actors collecting encrypted data now (so they can crack them open when quantum computing allows them to do so) 
• Continued investment and research in developing quantum computers by both governments and private companies 
• Increased interest in using quantum computers for artificial intelligence, machine learning, optimisation and simulation, cryptography, chemistry, physics, biology, medicine, and finance 

To prepare for quantum computing, monitor its developments and trends, and start exploring quantum-resistant encryption methods that would be hard for both classical and quantum computers to solve.  

You’re Only As Strong As Your Weakest Link

Considering human error is the leading cause of cyber security incidents, you can start preparing for all these cyber threats by understanding your human risk areas. 

ADITS offer a free Human Risk Report to all businesses in Brisbane, Townsville and surrounding areas.

This solution will: 

• Scan your domain and employees’ email addresses on the dark web 
• Test your staff against a phishing attack 
• Give you a security score and the timeframe of your future data breach 
• Provide actionable steps you should take to reinforce your infrastructure from the bottom up

Get your free report now: 

“Productivity growth is about working smarter, not working longer or working harder.”
Productivity Commission Acting Chair, Alex Robson

Becoming a smart business means finding better and faster ways to do things. When it comes to IT, this could mean finding an IT expert instead of becoming a tech specialist yourself – and that is the general essence of Managed IT Services.

But what is it and how exactly does it work?

Understanding the Difference Between IT Support and Managed IT Services

All businesses need IT support, but most especially when users encounter IT issues. Overall, IT support services involve troubleshooting tasks like maintenance, backup, and technical support. Bigger, more strategic projects are often not covered. IT support on its own can be viewed as a form of “break-fix IT” approach.

That’s where Managed IT Services come into the picture. Managed IT is a fantastic way to have specialists working on your technology, dedicated to delivering proactive services aligned with the growth and scalability needs of your organisation – without the worries of hiring and managing in-house staff. It’s like having an outsourced IT department which can minimise costs in the long run.

Here’s a table comparing IT support and Managed IT services:

The Power of Partnering with a Managed IT Services Provider

The business landscape today is radically different from ten years ago. Competition is quite fierce. Everything seems to run at breakneck speed.

Technology has thus become crucial for success. However, managing your own IT infrastructure can be costly, complex, and time-consuming. It can be very challenging especially for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) or those with limited resources and expertise.

That’s why more businesses are turning to MSPs. They have teams of IT professionals who are skilled in a wide range of specialties, such as network design and installation, cloud computing, cyber security, data backup and recovery, software updates and maintenance, and more.

By partnering with an MSP, you can focus on your core competencies and benefit from advantages, such as:

• Reduced IT operating costs: Most MSPs will charge you a fixed monthly fee. It eliminates any unexpected costs and any costs associated with purchasing and maintaining hardware and software. Your business can also free itself from the costs of hiring, training, and retaining in-house IT staff.
• Minimised downtime: An MSP can monitor your network 24/7 and proactively detect and resolve any problems before they affect your operations. They can also provide backup and disaster recovery solutions to ensure your data is safe and accessible in case of any breach, catastrophe or damage to your equipment.
• Consistent network performance: MSPs will use the latest technologies and best practices to optimise your network speed, security, and reliability. They also ensure that your network complies with relevant industry standards and regulations.
• Enhanced productivity and innovation: By outsourcing their day-to-day IT tasks to an MSP, SMBs can free up their time and resources to focus on their core business activities and goals. MSPs also provide strategic advice and guidance on how to leverage IT to improve the SMB’s efficiency, competitiveness, and growth.

Partnering with an MSP can empower you to access high-quality IT services for your specific needs and budget. By choosing an MSP that has the experience, expertise, and reputation in your industry, you can have peace of mind knowing that your IT is in good hands. 

Boosting Productivity and Efficiency via Managed IT Solutions

By using Managed IT services, you allow your staff to focus on high-value tasks, improving your business’ productivity and efficiency. Because MSPs handle the essential IT maintenance tasks, it reduces your risk of downtime, data loss, or cyber attacks that can disrupt operations and cause financial losses.

These are some of the update and maintenance tasks managed by MSPs:

• Routine Hardware Maintenance: This helps avoid downtime and outages and ensures that a client’s business is functioning smoothly 24/7.
• Continuous Support: Continuous helpdesk and remote IT support includes managing and maintaining IT infrastructure and end-user systems.
• Automated Updates: Automating security patches and software updates is crucial to maintaining the security and functionality of IT systems.
• Strategic Consulting: This can involve advising on IT strategy, planning for future IT needs, and help with digital transformation.
• Proactive Monitoring: MSPs continuously monitor a client’s IT, which prevents issues from getting worse before they can impact the business.

By outsourcing these tasks, you can focus on your business growth, product development, and research. You will find here some examples, specific to the medical industry, of how IT services can help, which we believe could be beneficial to the NFP and Professional Services sectors too.

What Managed IT Services Mean for Your Industry

Here are some scenarios showing how Managed IT Solutions can boost productivity and efficiency:

HEALTHCARE: A medical or healthcare organisation can use Managed IT Solutions to migrate to a cloud-based system. This can significantly increase the speed and accuracy of scheduling appointments, payments and related transactions, as well as patient data management. These can also all contribute to reducing operational costs.

NONPROFITS: An MSP can help a Not-For-Profit (NFP) organisation to implement technology solutions that can enable online fundraising and donation management. Many NFPs often handle multiple projects all at once, so Managed IT Services can provide tools like Microsoft Teams to help improve project implementation, coordination, communication, and collaboration. An MSP can also assist in providing data analytics to gain insights into Nonprofit operations. Overall, an NFP can focus its time, effort, and resources on their core mission rather than on IT issues.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES: A legal, financial, or associated professional services firm can harness the power of Managed IT Solutions to enhance their cyber security and compliance. By doing so, it will strengthen their protection against ransomware attacks and data breaches, helping to avoid regulatory fines, and ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of their clients’ records.

How Managed IT Services can Help Your Cyber Security Strategy

Cyber security has become essential to any business’ IT infrastructure and it should be considered as an integral part of your Managed IT. A reputable MSP should be concerned about your cyber defences, knowing how cyber threats can harm your data, brand reputation, and business productivity.

Cyber security is not a “set and forget” function, but should be constantly monitored, improved and acted on. This is why it goes hand-in-hand with Managed IT Services.

Comprehensive Managed IT Services can include:

• Continuous monitoring and regular IT maintenance to quickly avert potential threats
• Access to the latest cyber protection tools and technologies
• Backup and recovery solutions to minimise the potential damage in case of a breach
• Staff training to help transform everybody in your organisation into frontline cyber defenders

Managed IT Services: Enhancing Business Productivity Locally

For businesses in Brisbane, Townsville, Bowen, or anywhere else in Queensland, there are several benefits to hiring a local MSP rather than one outside of your area:

• Local Insights and Better Communication: Local MSPs can offer better communication and a more tailored approach to your organisation’s needs, being more attuned to the local market, business landscape and culture in their region.
• Faster Response Times and On-Site Support: With a local MSP, you can get faster response times and quicker service, especially for on-site support.
• Familiarity with Local Laws: A local MSP is more likely to know the data protection laws and regulations that apply to your business, which can simplify compliance.
• Investing in Your Community: By choosing a local provider, you’re investing in your community, fostering the creation of local jobs, and supporting the development of the local IT industry.

The right MSP for your business ultimately depends on your specific needs, circumstances and values. Research thoroughly and weight down your options before deciding. We created a resource for medical practices, that we feel could also be useful to NFPs and Professional Services, to help you make the right choice, How to Select the Right IT Services Provider for Your Medical Practice.

Managed IT Could Be the Key to Unleashing Productivity

Managed IT services is one of the best ways to boost your business performance, productivity, and efficiency. It can free up your time and resources for more strategic projects and tasks.

Managed IT provides you with a reliable, scalable, and cost-effective IT infrastructure that can support your business goals, including your productivity goals.

If you’re considering Managed IT Services for your Brisbane, Townsville or Queensland business, ADITS can help. Check out what our Managed IT Services offering cover and book your free consultation!

In February 2023, the Privacy Act Review Report was released after two years of extensive consultation and review of the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). It included proposed reforms aimed at strengthening the protection of personal information and the control individuals have over their information.

But what does this actually mean for you?

Building on our previous discussion in the ‘Essential 8 vs. Privacy Act article’, we explore the nuances of the Privacy Act Review and its implications, particularly for the nonprofit, medical, and education sectors.

In This Article

• What is the Privacy Act
• Definitions: “Agreed” vs “Agreed in Principle”
• Timeline and Next Steps
• How the Privacy Act Review Affects Non-Profits
• How the Privacy Act Review Affects the Medical Industry
• How the Privacy Act Review Affects the Education Sector
• Where to From Here?

What is the Privacy Act?

The Privacy Act review, initiated in Australia, was designed to update privacy laws in light of technological advancements. It focuses on data handling, individual rights, organisational accountability, and regulatory enforcement, ensuring that privacy laws stay relevant.

Report Definitions: “Agreed” vs “Agreed in Principle”

“Agreed” Proposals

When the government agrees to a proposal, it means that they have committed to developing legislative provisions for these measures. This agreement is more definitive, indicating a clear intention to enact the proposed changes.

“Agreed in Principle”

This indicates a provisional agreement subject to further engagement and analysis. It means that while the government supports the idea behind the proposal, it requires more detailed examination, impact analysis, and consultation with regulated entities. This is to ensure a balanced approach, considering both privacy benefits and the potential economic and regulatory impacts on entities.

Timeline and Next Steps

The review process involved evaluating the pros, cons, and costs of various proposals. This led to the modification of some proposals, the discontinuation of others, and the introduction of new ones. Some proposals haven’t been subject to stakeholder feedback yet and will need further discussions before they can be implemented. Considering the comprehensive steps of consultation, impact assessment, and legislative development, it’s anticipated that the actual implementation of these changes might not take place until late 2024 or later.

How the Privacy Act Review Affects Non-Profits

Here is a collection of principles that could impact non-profits and potential use cases:

How the Privacy Act Review Affects the Medical Industry

Here is a collection of principles that could impact medical and healthcare organisations and potential use cases:

How the Privacy Act Review Affects the Education Sector

Here is a collection of principles that could impact the education sector and potential use cases:

Where to from here?

Understanding these changes and preparing for their implementation is crucial for non-profits, healthcare providers, and educational institutions. The Privacy Act also plays a vital role in cyber security, but it’s not often discussed as part of a robust cyber security strategy,

Unlike others who solely focus on the Australian Cyber Security Centre’s Essential 8 framework, our cyber security solution, CyberShield, goes above and beyond that framework. CyberShield is a unique offering focused on compliance and governance measures, coupled with robust security tools and managed IT Services. The solution is also tailored according to your industry requirements.

Discuss your industry requirements and book a consultation with the team today.

CONTACT US

C-Suite & Board Training: Because it all starts at the top!

Take your first step towards a stronger, more secure and compliant business by registering your interest for our half-day certified C-Suite & Board training. We’ll cover:

• Data security and privacy compliance
• Potential risks to your business and how to address them
• Personal liabilities
• Reporting
• Crisis management recommendations
• Best practices for policies and procedures
• And more!

Register Your Interest

The ASD Cyber Threat Report 2022-2023 released mid-November 2023 highlights alarming results. It reveals that:

• The number of cybercrime reports has increased by 23%
• The average cybercrime cost per report is up 14%

Cybercriminals were described as adversaries who show “persistence and tenacity” and “constantly test vulnerabilities in Australia’s cyber ecosystem and employ a range of techniques to evade Australia’s cyber defences.”

As an authorised Australian Government framework, the Essential Eight were of course among the measures suggested in the report to be implemented. We’ll start off by reviewing the Essential Eight and then delve into a framework that is less talked about but is actually mandatory for most Australian organisations – the Privacy Act.

The Essential 8 is a Good Foundation (But Not the Finish Line)

The Essential Eight is a set of controls prescribed by the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) to protect organisations from cyber threats and attempts to compromise the personal information of their customers and stakeholders.

The eight strategies are:

• Application control – restricting the use of unapproved software
• Patching applications – updating software to fix vulnerabilities
• Configuring Microsoft Office macro settings – disabling/limiting macros from running malicious code
• User application hardening – disabling exploitable features (e.g., web browser plug-ins)
• Restricting administrative privileges – limiting the number of users who can perform high-risk actions
• Patching operating systems – updating the system software to fix security vulnerabilities
• Multi-factor authentication – requiring an additional security layer to verify a user’s identity
• Daily backups – creating copies of important data and storing them securely

The ACSC has developed a security model from 0 to 3 for each of these strategies. An organisation with a maturity level 0 has not achieved any of the requirements. A level 3 means the organisation has achieved a high level of maturity. A common misconception is that organisations must achieve level 3 to be compliant. On the contrary, organisations can adopt the maturity level they need, depending on their vulnerabilities to cyber threats.

The Essential Eight cyber security risk mitigation are baseline strategies, and implementing them is the minimum expected from organisations. They are foundational and highly recommended, but your cyber security efforts should not stop there.

The Privacy Act: Mandatory for Data Protection

In its latest report, the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) urges businesses to ensure resistance to cyber threats and go beyond the Essential Eight.

Say hello to the Privacy Act 1988.

Whilst the Essential Eight is one of the most well-known frameworks in Australia, its strategies are actually not mandatory. In contrary, the Privacy Act is less mentioned but most Australian organisations handling personal information must comply with it.

The organisations covered by the Privacy Act have an annual turnover greater than $3 million* OR are:

• An Australian Government agency;
• Private sector health service providers including private hospitals, therapists, gyms and child care centres;
• Not-for-profit organisations;
• Businesses that sell or purchase personal information;
• A credit reporting body;
• A contracted service provider for an Australian Government contract;
• A business that holds accreditation under the Consumer Data Right System; and
• A business that is related to a business that is covered by the Privacy Act.

*Note: Following the Privacy Act review in September 2023, one of the ‘Agreed in Principle’ proposals was the abolishment of the small business ($3m) exemption. Learn more.

The Privacy Principles

The Privacy Act includes 13 Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) that organisations must comply with, so you should be careful of the financial risks if you were to be assessed by the government. Meanwhile, whilst the Essential Eight are not mandatory, being non-compliant with some of those steps could lead to legal actions under the Privacy Act.

In short, the Essential Eight and the Privacy Act are both vital to IT security and data protection – but let’s look at the Privacy Act in more detail. The law regulates how personal information is handled by organisations and agencies. Below is an overview of the APPs which set the standards, rights, and obligations for collecting, using, disclosing, storing, securing, and accessing personal information.

Over the last few years, we’ve seen an influx of cybercrime which prompted a lengthy review of the Privacy Act. In September 2023, a report was released over 100 new principles and while some were agreed in full, there were many only “agreed in principle”. One in particular was the proposal to remove the exemption for small businesses.

Discover How This Impacts Your Organisation

How the Privacy Act Review Affects Non-Profits

How the Privacy Act Review Affects the Medical Industry

How the Privacy Act Review Affects the Education Sector

See Privacy Act Report

The Essential 8 and The Privacy Act: Parallel Paths to Protection

The frameworks of the Essential Eight and The Privacy Act both aim to enhance the cyber resilience and privacy protection of Australian entities. Here’s how they compare:

What Your Cyber Security Strategy Should Look Like

In the end, your organisation should aim for the level of cyber protection that is best suited and ensure full compliance with laws and regulations. You can approach it with a combination of the 8 mitigation strategies and the 13 principles.

ADITS CyberShield solution takes cyber protection to a whole new level where security is at the core of everything we do. Our offering includes managed services and compliance & governance measures as well as security measures and monitoring to ensure your business is industry compliant.

Your Cyber Security Journey

Compliance does not automatically translate to strong cyber security. Likewise, cyber security is not “set and forget”. It is a continuing process that needs your attention and effort if you want to ensure that your systems and data are always protected.

Understanding the Essential Eight and the Privacy Act is important. Since cyber security is complex and ever-evolving, it’s also vital to keep up-to-date with cyber security solutions, trends, and best practices. Though cyber security may seem mostly technical, it is in fact a business matter.

Executives and board members are personally liable in the event of a breach so instilling a cyber security culture throughout the organisation should be a priority.

With this in mind, ADITS is launching a half-day certified C-Suite training workshop where we’ll go through:

• Data security and privacy compliance
• Potential risks to your business and how to address them
• Personal liabilities
• Reporting
• Crisis management recommendations
• Best practices for policies and procedures

Register Your Interest For Our C-Suite & Board Training

Can you imagine making 100 copies of a 100-page document entirely by hand, with just pen and paper?

That’s what we would be doing if not for digital duplicators, photocopiers, and scan-to-print devices. Those machines have made document reproduction much faster and easier, as inventions and tools do.

One recently popular tool is AI. We have seen the likes of ChatGPT and DALL-E, and more yet are coming. In business, Microsoft Copilot is emerging as a highly useful digital assistant. How exactly can Copilot help you work smarter? Look at these specific ways.

1. Proposal Generation in a Legal Services Firm

Let’s say you are a lawyer in an estate law firm, and you need to prepare a consulting proposal for a client. You can use Microsoft 365 Copilot in Word to draft the proposal. Just provide information such as the client’s name, the purpose of the proposal, the services you are offering, its benefits, and a call to action.

After Copilot generates the document, you can review and make changes. You may also ask Copilot to check your grammar, spelling, and punctuation and offer suggestions to improve your writing.

You could even have Copilot help you to format the document according to the best practices in your industry. Use it to suggest and apply styles, headings, bullet points, tables, charts, and images to your proposal.

Before submission, use Copilot to share your proposal with your colleagues and get feedback and suggestions. It can help you to track changes, comments, and revisions and keep your document up to date.

2. Data Analysis & Visualisation for Nonprofit Resource Allocation

If your non-profit needs to decide about resource allocation in, say, promoting disability rights, you can use Copilot to gather and process data for your basis.

Also use Copilot to help you:

• Collect data from a variety of sources that you specify
• Check the data for errors and inconsistencies
• Use a tool like Excel to analyse your data and identify patterns
• Generate charts/data visualisations for clearer presentation
• Check the data for errors and inconsistencies
• Create a report and a presentation to communicate the results

3. Patient Report Writing for a Healthcare Provider

Periodic patient reports are a regular task for healthcare professionals. A medical specialist can use Microsoft Copilot to automate report generation, summarising a patient’s medical history, current medications, treatment plans, and patient progress updates.

The report writer can ask Copilot for help in:

• Collecting data from electronic health records (EHRs), billing systems, and databases
• Instructing Copilot how to create the report, using a JavaScript or Python script
• Actual report generation
• Filing the reports and sharing with relevant personnel

4. Chatbots for a Financial Services Business

If your organisation offers financial services, chances are you will often receive queries and customer support requests. You can use Copilot for:

• Training chatbots to answer common customer questions and about your offerings
• Providing real-time support to your customer support staff, including finding relevant and accurate information, drafting standard responses, and resolving issues speedily
• Generating reports and analytics about customer interactions, to identify and address areas for improvement in customer support

5. Legal Document Templates Generation

Lawyers, legal secretaries, and paralegals can get smart with Microsoft Copilot when creating templates for non-disclosure agreements, wills, trusts, and other documents. Just identify the templates that you need, then provide Copilot with relevant data such as your business name, address, and contact information.

You may use a Copilot script to specify how to generate the legal document templates. You could then run the script, review the templates, proofread and improve them. Copilot can also assist in formatting your document templates and, if needed, convert documents from Word into PDF or HTML which could be easier to share and use.

6. Marketing Campaign Automation for Non-Profit Fundraising Program

If you work in a non-profit organisation aiming for increased donor engagement, improved efficiency, and better fundraising campaign insights, Copilot can assist you in several ways:

Generating Personalised Email Campaigns

Marketing staff can tap Copilot to generate personalised email campaigns for donors and potential donors. This can help increase open rates and click-through rates.

Creating Social Media Posts

Copilot can be used to create social media posts tailored to the interests of target supporters. This can increase engagement on social media and even drive more traffic to your website.

Segmenting Donor Lists

Fundraising staff can use Copilot to segment donor lists based on factors like donation history, interests, and demographics. This can help you to target donor audiences more effectively.

Tracking Campaign Results

Copilot can help executive staff track the results of campaigns, including email open rates, click-through rates, and social media engagement. These can help you improve on future campaigns.

7.Financial Modelling & Analysis (FMA) in Education & Training

If a private training institution is proposing a new set of courses, they can do an FMA to make decisions – about launching the courses, for resource allocation, and to find out the financial impact on the organisation. In particular:

• Copilot can be used to analyse data (e.g., government reports, industry surveys, and social media) to identify the potential market for new courses. For example, Copilot can help identify fast-growing industries and develop new courses that will train students for jobs in those industries.
• Copilot can help to estimate the costs of new courses, including course materials development, hiring instructors, and marketing the courses. Copilot can also be used to estimate the potential revenues and recommend the tuition fee rates.
• Copilot can be used to evaluate the financial impact of new courses on the overall business. For instance, Copilot can help estimate the increase in revenue, the increase in course costs, and the impact on the overall profit margin.
• Copilot can help in creating reports and presentations that communicate the financial benefits of new courses to stakeholders. For one, Copilot could be used to show how new courses can increase revenue and achieve strategic goals.

Microsoft 365 Copilot: Your Smart AI Assistant

Can you imagine how efficient and productive your organisation can become with Microsoft Copilot compared to without it?

The tool will be available from the 1st November 2023 to Microsoft 365 customers on a Business Enterprise agreement for an extra $30 USD per user per month. For related information, you may reach out to ADITS right now. For other practical technology guides, you may check out our free business IT resources.

Australian businesses are starting to reap the benefits of artificial intelligence (AI).

• Every AI-related initiative resulted in an average incremental revenue of AUD $361,315.
• Eight in ten decision-makers are expecting to see revenue growth from their AI investments in 2023.
• The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation describes the AI ecosystem as “rapidly transforming” and “where businesses are generating significant new revenue streams and efficiencies using AI technology.”

But what do those mean to you?

Implications of AI for Business

Forbes Advisor found majority of business owners believe AI will positively impact these:

1. Customer relationships
2. Productivity
3. Sales
4. Cost savings
5. Response times

“We’ve never seen a technology move as fast as AI has to impact society and technology. This is by far the fastest moving technology that we’ve ever tracked in terms of its impact and we’re just getting started,” echoed Paul Daugherty, Chief Technology & Innovation Officer at Accenture. With such acceleration, 75% of executives are apprehensive that they might go out of business within five years unless they scale AI in their business.

AI Opportunities for Your Business

We have seen much of generative AI apps like ChatGPT, but there is so much more to AI. Consider these other opportunities that could benefit your business.

1. Responsive Customer Interactions

Sales and marketing leaders feel that AI has been the biggest game-changer when it comes to improving customer experience. With automated chatbots, customers can now have a 24/7 responsive channel, plus it frees up your human resources for more complex tasks. In fact, 85% of customer service interactions are now responded to by chatbots.

2. Unbiased & Objective Decisions

AI can help analyse large amounts of data to provide insights, helping businesses make informed, data-driven decisions. Data centre services provider AirTrunk is looking to use AI in finding suitable locations for data centres.

3. Savvy Business Foresight

Predictive analytics helps business to see future trends and behaviours. This enables them to be proactive and stay ahead of the competition. For example, Snack producer Frito-Lay has been turning to AI-powered analytics to leverage their data for predicting store openings and shifts in demand.

4. Personalised Experience

According to Semrush, 71% of marketers believe that AI is useful for personalisation. AI can in fact personalise customer experiences by analysing individual behaviours and patterns. One key benefit of this is increased customer satisfaction and loyalty. Bill Gates said, “A decade from now, we won’t think of those businesses as separate, because the AI will know you so well that when you’re buying gifts or planning trips, it won’t care if Amazon has the best price, if someone else has a better price — you won’t even need to think about it.”

5. Operations Efficiency Boost

AI is useful for automating routine tasks, improving efficiency and productivity. More than half of businesses now apply AI to improve their production processes or process automation. Others use AI for:

• Search engine optimisation tasks
• Data aggregation
• Generating ideas, plans, presentations, reports, and website copy
• Streamlining internal communications
• Writing code

6. Real-Time Assistance

Provide 24/7 help to customers and to staff with AI tools, improving communication and efficiency on both sides. Cynthia Scott of Zip Co also cites the possible use of real-time generated scripts for call centre workers. AI apps can also assist your team in real-time. Microsoft Copilot is integrated into Microsoft 365 so staff can use it while working in Word, PowerPoint, Excel, OneNote, and Outlook. It can provide post-meeting recaps, help with drafting documents and presentations, and project status updates, among others.

7. Smart Security Safeguards

Fraud detection and cyber security services now use AI for:

• Finding patterns in data
• Spotting new cyber threats
• Battling bots
• Predicting data breach risks
• Improving endpoint safety

8. Supply Chain Upgrades

AI also figures in supply chain optimisation, by predicting demand and optimising delivery routes. The use of AI has led to a 44% decrease in costs for the supply chain management industry in 2019. Thoughtworks CTO Dr. Rebecca Parsons shared with Harvard Business Review how “supply chain planning addressing disruptions in the supply chain can benefit [from AI] in two ways” – by directly handling the easy problems and by providing support in more complex cases.

9. Spot-on Talent Acquisition

The recruitment process is significantly improved with help from AI:

• Tap a larger talent pool and crawl millions of profiles when sourcing for candidates.
• Screen resumes and objectively score applicants without bias.
• Post highly targeted job ads to yield better results.
• AI can also help predict candidates’ job-fit.
• Automate other recruitments tasks, such as doing offer letter templates, background checks, and onboarding paperwork.

10. Customer-Centric Products

AI helps in developing new products by analysing market trends, customer feedback, and competitive analysis. The Lottery Corporation CEO Sue van der Merwe noted: “AI is actually not necessarily about offering more products. It’s about offering the right products.” Other areas where AI can help are:

• Generating ideas for new products or product improvements
• Automating or enhancing production processes
• Optimising the product development cycle

Emerging Business AI Assistant: Copilot

In addition to the above opportunities, Microsoft has recently introduced its AI everyday assistant, Copilot, which is now available to businesses of all sizes. How can it help you?

(*Copilot for Microsoft 365 is now generally available for small businesses with Microsoft 365 Business Premium, Business Standard, Office 365 E3 or E5 subscriptions with no minimum seat requirement.) While it’s tempting to try the myriad of AI apps flooding the market, here are some of the key reasons why you should use Copilot:

• Copilot offers a broad range of data for companies that want comprehensive search results combined with customisation options.
• As they’re part of the Microsoft ecosystem, they are a trusted source and allow for seamless integration with their other apps.
• Microsoft has a track record and commitment to enterprise-grade security.
• Your business data isn’t leaving your technology ecosystem, minimising your risk of data breaches.

Use AI Strategically

Like it or not, AI is revolutionising the way businesses operate. If you want to keep your edge or gain the lead, you must adopt AI wisely. Plan well for AI adoption in your organisation so you can strategically use the right AI tools for your needs. If you want to explore beyond AI and discover IT solutions that can help your business, book a free consultation with ADITS’ specialists. We can help you find the right technology to achieve your goals.

Around 3.4 billion phishing emails are sent daily.

It boggles the mind. But such a high number could suggest that people continue to fall for phishing. They’re becoming more sophisticated, too. Plus, it has become a lucrative industry for cyber-criminals.

Can you ever fight cyber-crime? How do you avoid the threats that come via email?

Know Your Enemy: The Biggest Email Threat to Your Business

It pays to know the most common threats that target our email inboxes. Let’s see what we’re up against:

Phishing

The most common cyber threat, phishing involves a devious email that looks legitimate. It aims to trick the recipient into providing sensitive information. When attackers get your information, they can infiltrate your system and access your data.

Spear Phishing

A highly targeted phishing type, spear phishing gets information from social media or other sources to create personalised emails. Business email compromise (BEC) is a form of spear phishing and a top culprit in getting employees to reveal confidential business information.

Ransomware

When an email recipient unknowingly clicks on a malicious link, it installs malware on their computer. The malware then encrypts your files, and then the criminals will demand a ransom payment in exchange for decrypting your files. In some cases, your data could end up on the dark web, for sale to the highest bidder.

Email Hijacking

Email hijacking happens when someone gains unauthorised access to your account. The hacker then uses your account to send spam emails, steal sensitive information, or access online banking or other services.

Your Defence: Email Security Measures to Protect Your Business

Email security is crucial to preventing cyber-attacks on your organisation. Here are the most effective ways to stop those threats:

1. Implement Strong Password Policies

Ask all your staff to use strong passwords: at least 12 characters long (longer is better), with a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.

Below are other password security practices you can implement:

• Never write down your password, save it in a file, or take a photo of it.
• Never share your password with anybody.
• Change your passwords regularly.
• Use a reliable password manager app.
• Use a passphrase with three unrelated words.
• Use a different password for each of your accounts.

2. Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

MFA adds extra layers of security to your email. Aside from your password, MFA may require:

• A PIN sent to your phone or email
• A code on your authenticator app
• A fingerprint
• Facial recognition

You can enable MFA in your account settings in Outlook or whatever email app you’re using. Ask all your staff to do this.

3. Activate Email Security Features

Use your email’s security features and settings for anti-spam, anti-phishing, and anti-malware. Some may also have the capability to protect sensitive information, or detect and deflect unsafe links or attachments in real-time.

Ask your IT staff or provider for guidance about other protection features such as firewalls, attack surface reduction, automated detection and response, and managing mobile devices and apps.

Cyber security solutions like ADITS’ CyberShield can help you against sneaky email threats. It can help in implementing advanced policies on email threat protection, including advanced attachment scanning and link checking.

4. Don’t Click Links, Don’t Open Attachments You Didn’t Ask For

It’s always safer to not click a link, so:

• Never click links or attachments that are suspicious.
• Never click links or attachments in emails from unknown senders.
• Never click links or attachments even from known senders UNLESS you have verified that it’s really from them. (Call them if you need to.)
• Never click links or attachments in emails you are not expecting.

Ask yourself: What’s the worst that could happen if you don’t click a link?

Note that malicious links or attachments usually includes subjects or messages that stress urgency, stir a fear of missing out (FOMO), or try to gain your trust. Beware:

• Watch out for subtly altered email addresses or company names (with A replaced by 4, I replaced by 1, and similar character swaps).
• Take caution with zip files. They can contain malware.
• Attachments with exe, .vbs, .scr, .cmd, and .js filename extensions are prime suspects, but it doesn’t mean other file types are safe.
• Use an attachment scanner.

5. Keep Your Email Software Updated

Any app or software can have vulnerabilities, and the best way solution to that is keeping your software updated. Updates usually have new patches or features that improve your software’s performance, security, and compatibility.

Choose to enable automatic updates in your email software settings or manually check for updates regularly. Either way, install updates as soon they are available.

6. Build a Cyber-Aware Culture

Don’t think about email security only when you’re using email. Develop a cyber-aware culture in your organisation, where each person becomes responsible for repelling cyber threats.

Demonstrate your personal commitment to email security.

• Lead by example. Do as you say.
• Talk about email security regularly.
• Make it a part of the performance review process.
• Allocate a budget to cyber security initiatives.
• Offer incentives for contributing to your cyber security campaign.

7. Stay Informed & Educate Your Employees

Achieving a cyber-aware culture involves training and education. Keep yourself up-to-date with cyber security news.

Follow email security experts and industry groups on social media. Subscribe to email security newsletters. Attend cyber security conferences and events. You could even take online email security courses.

Of course, don’t keep it all to yourself. Share what you learn with everyone. Develop a cyber security training program that your staff can enjoy. Do regular trainings. Simulate situations so they know exactly what to do. Be generous with information via email, posters, flyers, etc.

Be Vigilant: Do These Today

Implementing email security measures doesn’t have to be expensive. Having learned here how to fend off threats is one step – take it to the next step: Instantly implement these email security tactics.

For more information about email security and cyber security solutions as a whole, our specialists can give you a free consultation today. ADITS is your ally against all cyber threats and we’re just one call away at 1300 361 984 (Opt 3).

Stay vigilant.

“If the only tool you have is a hammer, it’s hard to eat spaghetti,” wrote David Allen in his book, Getting Things Done.

Whether you find that funny or not, it’s true: You’ve got to use the right tool for any job. You cannot expect to get the results you want from someone who is not well-equipped for it.

Now, a business computer is a very common tool in the workplace. But computers are not all the same. You use desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones for different things.

Among computing hardware, there are retail IT devices and business-grade devices – and those are not the same. So, what’s the difference?

The Difference Between Retail & Business-Grade Devices

Desktop computers, laptops, routers, printers, and scanners are used in many organisations. Some may have their own servers, switches or hubs, and multi-function devices. A few may be using wearables for work, and some types of IoT hardware.

Let’s compare the retail and business versions of business IT hardware.

When it is Best to Use Business-Grade IT Hardware

When choosing between retail and business-grade devices, consider the specific needs of your business. We know that devices built for business use are often more fit for purpose as outlined in the above comparison table.

If you’re on a budget, or if your device will be used only for basic tasks, then you may be able to get by with a consumer device. However, if you have more leeway with your budget, opt for the devices that are better suited. Remember that you can get your money’s worth with business-grade hardware in the long run.

Value-Driven IT Procurement for Businesses

When buying computers or digital devices, involve your IT team or Managed IT Service Provider (MSP) throughout the entire process.

Work with them to first, assess your needs. Consult with the people who will be using the devices. What will be their primary use? What kind of work will be done on them?

Second, identify the kind of hardware that will fulfill your needs. What should be the minimum specifications? Which features are essential? Which are nice to have but not must-haves? What add-ons will be required?

Third, ask your IT team or IT Provider for product recommendations. Explore the given options –pricing, warranties, after-sales service and maintenance, vendor processes, and related matters.

You can make the decision to purchase once all your questions are answered. Otherwise, provide more information that can help find a more suitable product.

Get the Right Tool for the Right Job Through Your IT Provider

Having the right tool for a job can be a game-changer. You therefore need to select IT devices with the best value. Your IT provider can be extremely helpful navigating the relevant options and work with the manufacturers to obtain the best pricing possible by leveraging their relationship with the device manufacturers and distributors

With their technical background, they can identify and explain what’s best for your needs.  Their experience and proven procurement process can also make purchasing much easier. What’s more, an IT partner can assist you with installation, deployment, and maintenance.

Finally, an IT Service Provider can help you get all your IT hardware, software, system, and network up to speed. If you want to evaluate your entire IT infrastructure, ADITS can help you identify areas for improvement. Contact our friendly team for enquiries today.