IT security as important as locking up your office
Sassoon Grigorian | June 6, 2010
Protect yourself from cyber criminals and get the most out of the opportunities online services and cloud computing offer your business.
It is clear to most that the Internet provides significant benefits for individuals, business and governments. In particular, the Internet has enabled massive improvements in SME productivity from simple time saving tasks resulting from online banking through to the freedom of the smart phone.
More and more business is also being conducted online. The Australian Bureau of Statistics found that more than 43% of Australian businesses placed orders via the Internet during financial year 2008. Between FY2007-08, the income resulting from orders received over the Internet increased 20% to $81 billion.
However, as global connectivity has grown, so has the cyber threat.
The fast pace of innovation in IT has meant that our understanding of the cyber threat, and ability to evaluate and craft appropriate responses, has had to move as quickly. However, for the average SME this has not been the easiest of tasks.
Unprotected computers infected with malware or malicious software can be particularly vulnerable. In our submission to the House of Representatives Inquiry into Cybercrime last year, we referred to a Microsoft Security Intelligence Report (SIR v5) that found that 1 in every 204 Windows based computers in Australia was infected with malware, lower than the worldwide average of 1 in every 123.Consistent with the global trend observed in 2007, there was a large increase in the detection of Trojans in Australia over the course of 2008. Trojans facilitate unauthorised access to a user’s computer. Evidence from Australia suggests that Trojans have become the troll of choice among criminals.
Simple steps like ensuring your computer is protected with the latest anti-virus software, having Automatic Updates switched on for Windows computers, and being vigilant against threats, will go a very long way in helping to protect your business.
Microsoft also assists organisations through our Malware Protection Centre Lab. Located in Melbourne it is our only southern hemisphere centre and one of only three such facilities located outside the United States. The lab is designed to tackle emerging cybercrime problems such as new online viruses and malicious software (Malware).
We also work cooperatively with law enforcement agencies through our Digital Crimes Unit, set up to identify and pursue those engage in criminal online activity.
As more and more data is moved into the cloud, it’s reasonable to assume that it is becoming a more attractive target for hackers, malicious code writers and data thieves. In response, many cloud service providers are building strong security into their offerings and employing top notch security professionals to manage their data centers. In fact, because of the high level of investment and protection, for many SMEs the cloud potentially offers a higher level of protection than might be the case for their existing systems.
At a broader level, it’s also important that Governments worldwide are also working to combat cyber crime.
Microsoft welcomes the Australian Government’s intention to sign the Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime, which entered into force in July 2004. The Convention is the only binding international treaty on the subject to have been adopted to date. It lays down guidelines for all governments wishing to develop legislation against cyber crime. The convention also provides a framework for international co-operation in this field.So as part of National Cyber Security Awareness Week, stay alert and be vigilant against online threats.
More tips and advice to protect your business can be found at www.microsoft.com.au/security
Sassoon Grigorian, Manager, Government Affairs, Microsoft Australia. Sassoon was senior adviser to a former NSW Premier and worked in the NSW Government for nearly a decade. He also worked for the Sydney Olympic Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (SOCOG) in the lead up to the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, and was senior consultant for Australia’s largest public affairs firm. Sassoon has written on public policy matters for The Australian, Courier Mail and The Canberra Times newspapers, and The National Times. He is a Board member of the Australian Direct Marketing Association (ADMA) and was a speaker at the Lowy Institute’s 2009 New Voices conference.
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