Australian firms warned on rising spear-phishing threat

Australian businesses are being alerted to the increasing risks posed by cyber 'spear-phishing' attacks, emphasising the necessity for enhanced cyber security measures.

IT solutions provider CMTG reports actively defending against over 1,400 threats each day, as stated by CMTG Technical Manager Nick Hughes. Hughes stressed the importance of cyber security awareness for both organisations and individuals to safeguard online identities and corporate data.

"In today's cyber-focused world where threats are becoming increasingly more sophisticated, businesses must make cyber security a priority," Hughes remarked.

He highlighted spear-phishing as the foremost threat. In this type of attack, attackers target individual staff members to gain remote access or deploy malicious software, potentially enabling ransomware attacks on their systems.

"Our team is constantly defending our clients against more than a thousand attacks like these each day, supported by a range of software products that are dedicated to defending businesses," Hughes explained.

Hughes observed a collective concern among IT providers across Australia regarding the numerous businesses that remain unaware of the serious threat posed by cyber-attacks.

"Organisations must be vigilant about the tools they have in place to improve their security posture because it is not a matter of if an attack will happen but when," Hughes stated. He cautioned that businesses reluctant to invest in cyber security systems face a substantially higher risk of compromise.

With October designated as Cyber Security Awareness Month, Hughes sees it as an apt reminder for companies to review their cyber security protocols and the cyber awareness of their workforce.

"The best line of defence is education of your workforce, as well as investing in the latest cyber security products to keep your data and privacy safe and ensure your business remains a stronghold," he noted.

Hughes promotes Cyber Security Awareness Month as "an ideal opportunity to assess and enhance your staff training, ensuring your team knows how to recognise potential threats."

He further elaborated, "At CMTG, we offer comprehensive Cyber Security Awareness Training, along with expert guidance on advanced security products and proactive monitoring solutions, backed and supported by our strong partnership with global cybersecurity leader Fortinet."

For businesses uncertain about where to start, Hughes assures, "our experienced team is here to help strengthen your business's defences against the growing landscape of cyber threats."