Australia have structured their mitigation strategies and responses to deal with attacks that are on the rise
Political Background
The current political climate regarding data security in Australia has recently raised questions over the ethics regarding data encryption. The law change passed on December 8 2018 was a world first for Data Encryption and gave police and security agencies the right access to encrypted messages upon request.
The news has been polarising for several cyber-security experts who have scrutinised the law change as being rushed over, controversial and not going through the correct political procedure of checks and balances. Whilst the government sees it as a necessary response to the rise in crime and terrorism, Digital rights activists see systemic flaws in the way police could order IT developers to create technical functions without company awareness.
The Cyber Frontier
Due to the severity of the topic on a global scale and with the rise of coordinated cyber- terrorism being a new frontier of peril, a critical and thorough approach should have matched this in parliament. This would rid the air of controversy and not prompted further insecurity and fear that is already crippling the national security debate at the moment.
For the time-being, non-compliant companies will be met with a hefty fine and what goes on behind closed doors is still very unclear.
5 Tips from Secure USB
Secure-USB for one aren’t erring on the side of caution and are offering companies a few tips on how to protect yourself online in times of insecurity:
- Store all documents on an advanced FIPS approvedUSB which will ensure your most sensitive documents are backed up. Military grade encryption with a dual password lock ensures no one (including authorities) can access data on the drive. The COURIER DUAL FIPS 197is just one example of the highly advanced range on offer at Secure USB
- Update your mobile and computer software: With cyber threats becoming more advanced, your operating system is your biggest defence in uncertain times.
- Don’t share Travel Plans: Hackers can use social media profiles to figure out your passwords and answer those security questions in the password reset tools.
- Password protect your Wi-fi connection: Stronger the password the safer in all cases, but particularly when living in an apartment block where the wi-fi is shared, having those internet routers on lock-down will keep prying eyes to a minimum.
- Search safely: When purchasing USB’s, Flash-drives and Laptop accessories be sure that they are FIPS certified. When searching online, make sure the web address begins with https.
The key throughout is maintaining a heightened sense of awareness about all that is cyber-related and staying on top of your online security. SecureUSB are the cyber-sperts and offer that healthy and cost-effective alternative to keep your data protected and away from prying eyes.
