The Times Australia
The Times Technology News

.
Men's Weekly

.

Australia takes the title of sixth most hacked country in the world

  • Written by Nity Thakur, an Ethical Hacking Expert

Over 59,000 cybercrimes were reported in Australia in one year (2019 – 2020), at an average of 165 reports per day or even more shockingly one report every 10 minutes1. With these statistics, it’s no surprise that Australia takes the title of sixth most hacked country in the world2.

Heavy hitters such as Channel Nine, Brisbane hospitals, the Wesley and St Andrews War Memorial, and JBS Foods have all been targets in the last six months. With the latter having to pay $14.2 million in ransom to cease the five-day cyber-attack.

If these high-profile organisations are at risk, then nobody is exempt from attacks. When it comes to cybercrime and business, the ‘it won’t happen to me’ mentality is a dangerous one.

In response to the cyberattacks, Australian businesses forked out a massive $5.6 billion on cybersecurity from local and international providers, a figure that is estimated to increase to $7.6 billion by 20243. Evidence that cybersecurity plays a pivotal role in avoiding these current and forthcoming breaches.

In response to this increased threat, savvy businesses are now investing in the rising trend of ethical hacking, also known as penetration testing, it is the legal hacking of an organisation’s defences. Essentially, businesses are paying staff to try and hack into their systems to find current or potential holes, so that they can then go back in and patch them up.

Nityanand Thakur, Ethical Hacking Expert at Koenig Solutions, educates companies and employees on best practise in ethical hacking and urges those who have not thought of protecting data through this method to do so.

Hacking has earned itself negative connotations within the media, understandably so. This can make it hard for businesses to get their head around the idea of it being done ethically. But it affects everyone from individuals to businesses to government organisations.

With cybersecurity, it’s better to learn from other businesses’ mistakes of not being prepared. It’s so important to do everything possible to protect data against cyberattacks. It’s daunting just how many Australian businesses have fallen victim to cyberattacks in the last year. Usually, it’s something as little as having an information security analyst to educate wider staff about what spam and viruses may look like or how to use one to five factor authentication.”

Research estimates that job creation in cybersecurity will increase in the coming years, with an expected 7,000 more positions to be added to Australia’s economy by 20243.

The increase in demand for ethical hackers, means that there will need to be enough suitable applicants locally to ensure that those roles aren’t offloaded overseas. At Koenig, we are passionate about ensuring that Aussies are qualified and ready to enter the cybersecurity sector,” says Nityanand.

To help Australian organisations harness this critical skill, Koenig Solutions is offering an EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacking preparation online course so businesses can start the journey to protecting their data against cyberattacks and avoid becoming another statistic.


1. https://www.cyber.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-09/ACSC-Annual-Cyber-Threat-Report-2019-20.pdf

2. https://specopssoft.com/blog/countries-experiencing-significant-cyber-attacks/

3. https://www.austcyber.com/resources/sector-competitiveness-plan

 

Times Magazine

From Beach Bops to Alpine Anthems: Your Sonos Survival Guide for a Long Weekend Escape

Alright, fellow adventurers and relaxation enthusiasts! So, you've packed your bags, charged your devices, and mentally prepared for that glorious King's Birthday long weekend. But hold on, are you really ready? Because a true long weekend warrior kn...

Effective Commercial Pest Control Solutions for a Safer Workplace

Keeping a workplace clean, safe, and free from pests is essential for maintaining productivity, protecting employee health, and upholding a company's reputation. Pests pose health risks, can cause structural damage, and can lead to serious legal an...

The Science Behind Reverse Osmosis and Why It Matters

What is reverse osmosis? Reverse osmosis (RO) is a water purification process that removes contaminants by forcing water through a semi-permeable membrane. This membrane allows only water molecules to pass through while blocking impurities such as...

Foodbank Queensland celebrates local hero for National Volunteer Week

Stephen Carey is a bit bananas.   He splits his time between his insurance broker business, caring for his young family, and volunteering for Foodbank Queensland one day a week. He’s even run the Bridge to Brisbane in a banana suit to raise mon...

Senior of the Year Nominations Open

The Allan Labor Government is encouraging all Victorians to recognise the valuable contributions of older members of our community by nominating them for the 2025 Victorian Senior of the Year Awards.  Minister for Ageing Ingrid Stitt today annou...

CNC Machining Meets Stage Design - Black Swan State Theatre Company & Tommotek

When artistry meets precision engineering, incredible things happen. That’s exactly what unfolded when Tommotek worked alongside the Black Swan State Theatre Company on several of their innovative stage productions. With tight deadlines and intrica...

The Times Features

Running Across Australia: What Really Holds the Body Together?

How William Goodge’s 3,800km run reveals the connection between movement, mindset, and mental resilience As a business owner, I’ve come to realise that the biggest wins rarely com...

Telehealth is Transforming Healthcare Services in Australia

It has traditionally not been easy to access timely healthcare in Australia, particularly for people who live in remote areas. Many of them spend hours on the road just to see a...

Launchd Acquires Huume, Strengthening Creative Firepower Across Talent-Led Marketing

Launchd, a leader in talent, technology and brand partnerships, has announced its acquisition of influencer talent management agency Huume from IZEA. The move comes as the medi...

Vietnam's "Gold Coast" Emerges as Extraordinary Investment Frontier and Australian Inspired Way of Life

$2 Billion super-city in Vung Tau set to replicate Australia's Gold Coast success story A culturally metamorphic development aptly named "Gold Coast" is set to reshape Vietna...

Choosing the Wrong Agent Is the #1 Regret Among Aussie Property Sellers

Selling your home is often one of the largest financial transactions you’ll make, and for many Australians, it’s also one of the most emotional. A new survey of Australian home se...

Travel Insurance for Families: What Does it Cover and Why it’s Essential

Planning a family trip is exciting, but unexpected mishaps can turn your dream vacation into a stressful ordeal. That’s where travel insurance comes in—it’s your safety net when ...