NDB report highlights need for info sharing: ACSC

In light of statistics showing an increase in criminal data breach activity last quarter, the Australian Cyber Security Centre has urged organisations to step up efforts to protect themselves against cybercrime.

The fourth Notifiable Data Breaches Quarterly Statistics report, published last week, found that the number of notifications filed with the OAIC increased for the fourth straight quarter to 262. Meanwhile, the proportion of breaches attributed to malicious or criminal activity increased to 64%, from 57% in the previous quarter.

ACSC head Alastair MacGibbon said the findings of the report demonstrate that the human factor is often the weak link in cybersecurity — many incidents recorded during the quarter had relied on employees making mistakes such as clicking on a phishing email or disclosing passwords.

Because of this, MacGibbon said it is essential that organisations take steps to improve cyber awareness, such as adapting the prevention strategies for organisations and agencies that the ACSC has been developing in collaboration with the OAIC.

“There is no room for complacency, as we saw in December when the Australian Government confirmed the global hack of Manager Service Providers (MSPs), including Australian organisations. In response, we are rolling out a new information sharing program at our Joint Cyber Security Centres (JCSCs) around the country to help strengthen defences,” he said.

“We again urge MSPs to sign up to this program, to demonstrate their commitment to protecting themselves and their customers.”

Image courtesy ACSC.

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