Cyber security top of firms’ to- do list
A TECHNOLOGY exhibition in Townsville this month showcasing the latest and greatest in systems and tools for business also hopes to convince companies to take the growing incidence of cyber attacks more seriously.
Revelations this week that a hacker had infiltrated a defence contractor set alarm bells ringing, while the Australian Cyber Security Centre also reported that losses to businesses from cyber attacks had more than doubled to $ 20 million in 2016- 17.
NQ Tech Expo organiser and On-Board IT director Simon Greenwood said the issue was just as, if not more, relevant to Townsville and the expo was a good way to engage business.
Mr Greenwood said most incursions came through email and yet it was absurd that around a third of people still used the word “password” as their password.
“It’s a disgrace. We are trying to find ways to have companies, local businesses, take ownership of what they need to do to ensure they are safe and secure,” Mr Greenwood said.
“Email is no more secure than a handwritten note passed through a roomful of people.”
The NQ Tech Expo will be held at the Reid Park Pit Complex on October 24- 25 and feature cutting edge technology in data protection and re- covery, the latest in 360- degree cameras, laser projectors, conferencing equipment, digital signage, CCTV, point of sale technology and unmanned aerial vehicles.
Mr Greenwood said companies now faced a punitive situation with the risk of big fines if they failed to take reasonable steps to protect people’s data.
He said about a third of small and medium- sized businesses in Australia would be touched by some sort of ransomware attack from malicious software.
“If you are found to have not made every effort to secure your data, you could be in trouble.
“There will be fines to pay and they will be enormous,” Mr Greenwood said.
“Businesses have to pull their heads out of the sand.”
He said while protections were considered complicated, scary or expensive, the cost of ransomware for a personal computer was $ 6 a month.
“It is less than what we spend on coffee in the office,” Mr Greenwood said.
Expo organiser Darryl Byrne of NQAV said about 40 exhibitors would showcase technologies with breakout sessions and demonstrations and the ability to engage with experts face- to- face.
For further information go to nqtechexpo.com.au.