Cyber Security Update

Cyber Attacks on Australian IT Infrastructure

The Australian Government recently released a statement detailing ongoing cyber-attacks against the IT infrastructure of government departments, the healthcare industry, educational institutions, and businesses. As a business owner, it’s essential to stay informed and take steps to protect your organisation against potential threats.

These attacks have been described as sophisticated, targeting intellectual property and data that may be valuable to attackers. The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) recommends the Essential Eight Strategies to help Australian businesses minimise cyber risks. ShowellTech also aligns with these best practices to protect our clients’ networks.

For our managed services customers, many of these practices are already in place. However, if you haven’t recently reviewed your cyber security, now is a good time to assess your infrastructure to protect your business and intellectual property. ShowellTech offers the following services to ensure compliance with current security standards.

Application Control

Only approved software is permitted to run on workstations, preventing malicious software from infiltrating your network. This is a critical line of defence.

Patch Operating Systems

Regularly updating to the latest version of Windows or MacOS patches vulnerabilities in older versions. Contact us to discuss how a Managed Services Agreement can keep your systems updated seamlessly.

Microsoft Office Macro Settings

Disabling macros from automatically running in Microsoft Office can prevent malicious software in Office documents. We can help you configure this setting correctly across your network.

User Application Hardening

ShowellTech reviews applications to remove unnecessary software, reducing vulnerabilities and improving security across your systems.

Restrict Administrative Privileges

Administrative accounts should not be used for everyday tasks, as they increase the risk of unauthorised software installation. We assess and optimise your account structure to ensure permissions are set appropriately.

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

MFA is a crucial defence against account compromise. Implement MFA for email, cloud storage, remote access, and more. Learn more about MFA from the Australian Cyber Security Centre. Contact us for help with implementing MFA across your business.

Patch Third-Party Applications

Updating applications like Google Chrome, Adobe Reader, and Microsoft Office ensures you have the latest security patches. A Managed Services Agreement with ShowellTech can keep third-party applications secure and up-to-date.

Daily Backups

Backups are essential for protecting critical data. ShowellTech offers cloud-based backup solutions, including Office365 and G-Suite, with storage in Australia to comply with industry regulations. Ask us about the best backup solutions for your business.

Anti-Virus and Physical Firewalls

This addition to the Essential Eight Strategies cannot be overstated. Commercial-grade anti-virus software and physical firewalls offer an additional layer of security, particularly for businesses with more than five workstations. Contact us to discuss anti-virus and firewall solutions tailored to your network’s needs.

Our Managed Services Agreement

ShowellTech is committed to helping our clients thrive by providing a secure IT environment. Talk to us today about assessing your current security posture and how our Managed Services Agreement can best protect your business against potential cyber threats.

Protect your business today – contact ShowellTech to secure your IT infrastructure against evolving cyber threats.