GUEST OPINION: Faced with a constantly evolving cyber threat landscape, Australia’s public-sector organisations must take steps to improve visibility of their IT infrastructures.
Effective visibility provides departments and agencies with the ability to gain insights and a comprehensive understanding of the activities, events, and vulnerabilities within their IT environments. It involves having a clear and detailed picture of all aspects of the infrastructures including networks, systems, applications, and data.
Achieving this visibility has never been more important as the public-sector is grappling with a growing number of IT security threats. They include:
- Cyber attacks: Agencies are susceptible to a range of cyberattacks including malware, ransomware, phishing, and Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS). These attacks aim to compromise systems, steal sensitive data, disrupt operations, or extort money.
- Data breaches: Unauthorised access to sensitive data is a significant concern. Public-sector organisations handle a vast amount of personal and confidential information, making them attractive targets for hackers. Breaches can lead to financial losses, reputational damage, and potential legal and compliance implications.
- Insider threats: Staff with authorised access to systems and data can also pose a security risk. This group includes disgruntled employees, contractors, and third-party vendors who may misuse their privileges or intentionally disclose sensitive information.
- Weak infrastructure and outdated systems: Legacy systems or inadequate security infrastructure can introduce vulnerabilities and make organisations more susceptible to attacks. Failure to regularly update and patch systems can leave them exposed to known vulnerabilities.