HELP WANTED:  Data Security Experts

First it was telecoms like Optus and Telstra, then Medibank Private Ltd., to name a few major Australian firms hit by cybersecurity breaches.  Now, another significant data breach has been disclosed – this time of a military communication platform called ForceNet.  Fortunately, in this case it seems no data was compromised by the cyber attack (although the Australian Broadcasting Corp claims that some personal information might have been stolen), but that it could occur at all is still cause for concern.  

Australia has been experiencing a spate of major cybersecurity incidents lately, and according to experts, human error is to blame here.  A skills and staff shortage have contributed to this surge, responsible for millions of customer accounts being hacked, which is around 56% of the country’s population, just since September 22. 

“They don’t have enough trained people to take it seriously and do what is needed,” says Sanjay Jha, chief scientist at the University of New South Wales institute for cybersecurity.  “You need people who are really skilled and trained properly.”  When this is lacking, cyber criminals will have great success, and even inspire copycats, as they have lately in Australia.

Also rising 56% have been cybersecurity insurance premiums in Q3 year-over-year, according to broker Marsh & McLennan Cos. Inc.  Clearly insurers have been expressing their lack of confidence in the nation’s data security policies.  The shortage in expertise also has some companies offering premiums of up to 50% for starting salaries for new staff, desperate to fill the void before they become the next targets. 

Another critical factor is a common one: the spread to remote or hybrid working has resulted in a proliferation of devices that expand the attack vectors in company networks.  This makes it even more challenging for talent-starved organizations to manage and prevent security incidents.  When these targets handle extremely sensitive data, like millions of Australian patients’ medical records, the situation becomes even more dire.  So much so, in fact, that Australia and 36 other countries are meeting this week at the White House to discuss anti-ransomware and other cybercrime measures.

When facing such a talent drought, it becomes even more imperative to ensure one’s data is protected even should it become exposed to unauthorized eyes.  For over 20 years, NetLib Security has worked with organizations and vertical markets of all sizes and vertical markets, including a significant focus on government agencies at all levels (federal, state and local) and military installations.  We, to assist in government mandated compliance with the Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS 140-2) requirements and become FIPS 140-2 validationed. Becoming FIPS 140-2 validated demonstrates that a product’s stated security claim is valid according to legislative security restrictions set forth by government agencies for cryptographic modules.  NetLib Security’s Encryptionizer can help you protect your data should a breach occur and achieve FIPS 140-2 Validation. Encryptionizer provides an additional layer of security that ensuresing that your data and media are backed up and protected in case perimeter defenses are breached. 

We live in an era where everything from insider threats to hackers are causing devastating effects on people’s lives and careers. As is the case in Australia, with a limited talent pool available for now heightened data security issues, keeping stored data protected for when one of these copycat hackers breaks through is an especially important safeguard. 

For more information on how NetLib Security can be a natural and strong extension to your data security team, contact us here for a free consultation and eval.