The recent cyber attacks on Optus and Medicare customers have demonstrated the widespread and devastating effects that a cyber attack can have on a business and the individuals caught up in a hacking situation. As we have often documented in the Digital Ready program these attacks are not just for the big end of town, and can happen to small and boutique businesses just as easily.

Notable is the rise in ransomware attacks where your social media accounts are taken over and locked down unless you pay the hackers money. Ransomware remains the most destructive cybercrime threat in Australia due to its significant financial and reputational costs. Losing access to your audience can wipe out all your efforts overnight. So how do you prepare for an attack? We've covered some basics in this blog post and in our Cyber Security Factsheet for you to get familiar with the language and landscape these bad actors work in.

Our collective use of digital tools in business saves us time and money, but also exposes us to a global threat. The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) has responded to the increase in occurrences of cyber attacks by creating Exercise in a Box, which allows you and your team members to practice a simulation of common situations your business may face.

Last year, the ACSC saw an increase in the number and sophistication of cyber threats facing Australia. The Australian Cyber Security Hotline received over 25,000 calls during the financial year 2021-22, an average of 69 per day and an increase of 15% from the previous financial year. The ACSC also received over 76,000 cybercrime reports, an increase of almost 13% from the previous financial year. Cyber crime is not going to go away, so it is up to all of us to get prepared.

Exercise in a Box is free and is designed to be easy to use. It works by taking a small group of your key staff through a series of structured questions relating to an area of cyber security. When you finish, a report is generated highlighting where your business can improve its cyber security posture or practices. By completing the exercises, you will understand the risks your organisation is currently exposed to and what you can do to mitigate them. The tool is kept up to date so you are always aware of what scams are on the rise and can tackle them head-on.

One of the most common responses from business to cyber attacks is that they happened due to busyness. An email came in, it looked legit, information was shared or a link clicked on, and suddenly they were compromised. Being in business is hard and constant work, when business owners are moving at pace to get everything done, it is easy to not forensically check every email. Criminals rely on this situation to trick their targets, and are highly sophisticated in their online tools.

Unfortunately, as mentioned before, the costs can be devastating, and the Digital Ready program recommends strongly that you make time with your staff to get prepared so you, your business, your brand AND your customers don't become a victim to hackers.

And of course, we're here to help you. Time is running out to use up your 2022 free coaching allocation, click here to make a date for your business with a Digital Ready Coach and end the year ready for everything, coz when you stay cyber ready, you don't have to get cyber ready!