Any digital device, computer or computer next work is susceptible to unauthorised intrusions – often known as `Computer Hacking’. Often computer users are unaware of the unauthorised intrusion or hacking until they are notified by law enforcement, their bank / credit card provider or other third party which detects the illegal activity. 

The reasons for the unauthorised intrusion or hacking vary, but may include:

• To use your computer [as an Internet Relay Chat (IRC) server, storage for illicit material such as stolen software or form part of a DDoS Attack]
• Extortion – demand payments under threat of deleting data or releasing company information
• To steal services and/or valuable files such as credit card numbers
• Industrial Espionage – to obtain trade secrets
• For the thrill/excitement of the intrusion
• As a publicity stunt – publicise the intrusion or confidential information on the computer
• Knowledge/Experiment – some hackers probe a computer system to find security vulnerabilities for future targeting

The most likely adverse losses that occur in the wake of a Cyber Attack include:

Business lost during attack

A Cyber Attack security breach often means shutting down the electronic operations - an online retailer subjected to an attack could be shut down for several days or weeks while determining the attack's origin and taking corrective action.

Loss of company assets

Proprietary information, such as product designs, customer records, company strategies or employee information, is often compromised or stolen outright. These assets have incalculable value to a business, and thus can inflict crippling losses.

Damage to reputation

Another cost that's difficult to quantify is reputation damage after an attack. Leakage of customer credit cards to online thieves means that reputation damage will linger for a long time.

Litigation

Companies could possibly be sued by banks should their customers' information be stolen – plus regulatory authorities may impose fines and restrictions on business where the company failed to implement reasonable protection measures. 

Protection costs

Training staff, purchase of firewalls, encryption and software.

Steps to Take  

Companies of any size need to implement a strategy to protect against the reality of cybercrime. Use of security information and event management solutions (SIEMs), intrusion prevention systems (IPSs), network intelligence systems and data analytics can greatly resist the threat of cyberattacks and reduce the costs of any intrusion.

The biggest risk facing a company is inaction. Ignoring the threat of Cyber Attacks will not make it go away and places the company and personnel in jeopardy. 

Contact Us

To discuss Cyber Threats & Attacks on a confidential basis, call us on (03) 5518 2906 or send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.