Preparedness
Cyber Security Breaches
Cyber Security and Online Safety
Cyber incidents can affect individuals, businesses and organisations of all sizes. They may involve malicious emails, online scams, ransomware, data breaches, account compromise or disruption to computer systems and digital services.
Many aspects of daily life now rely on technology, including banking, shopping, healthcare, communications and access to public services. A cyber security incident can lead to financial loss, identity theft, disruption to services and the loss of important information.
While cyber threats cannot always be prevented, taking simple precautions can significantly reduce the risk. Being aware of common threats and knowing how to respond can help protect you, your family and your organisation.
What You Can Do
Use Strong Passwords.
- Create strong, unique passwords for important online accounts.
- Using three random words to create memorable passwords.
- Using different passwords for different accounts.
- Using a reputable password manager to store passwords securely.
- Avoid using personal information that could be easily guessed.
- Where available, enable two-step verification (also known as two-factor authentication). This provides an additional layer of security by requiring a second form of verification alongside your passwords.
Be Cautious of Emails, Texts and Phone Calls
Cyber criminals often use phishing emails, text messages and phone calls to trick people into revealing personal information or clicking malicious links. Be suspicious of unexpected requests to:
- Provide personal or financial information.
- Transfer money.
- Download attachments.
- Click web links
If in doubt, contact the organisation directly using trusted contact details.
Keep Devices Updated
- Software updates often contain important security fixes.
- Operating systems are kept up to date.
- Applications are updated regularly.
- Antivirus software is installed and maintained where appropriate.
- Automatic updates are enabled whenever possible.
Back Up Important Information
- Regularly back up important documents, photographs and files.
- keep cloud-based backups.
- External hard drive backups.
- Copies of important records in different locations.
- Regular backups can help reduce disruption if files are accidentally deleted, corrupted or affected by ransomware.
Protect Personal Information
Be cautious about the amount of personal information shared online.
Review privacy settings on social media accounts and avoid sharing information that could be used to answer security questions or facilitate identity theft.
Use Secure Networks, avoid accessing sensitive accounts or carrying out financial transactions using unsecured public Wi-Fi.
Where possible:
- Use trusted networks.
- Use mobile data if a secure connection is unavailable.
- Ensure websites use secure connections (https).