cybersecurity concerns

STAYING CYBERSECURE

Recent cyber attacks have led to significant data leaks, and industry leaders fear that Australians are losing confidence in the country’s cybersecurity capabilities.

Words: Matilda Meikle

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Recent cyber attacks in Australia have resulted in identity leaks and significant breaches in user confidentiality. One incident with MyDeal.com.au occurred when a compromised credential, due to an increase in users, allowed access to the database that stored user information. In total, this attack led to the release of 2.2 million customers’ data, including everything from emails, names and phone numbers, addresses and birthdays.

In an interview with Channel 9, Professor Sanjay Jha, Chief Scientist at the UNSW Institute for Cybersecurity, stated: “the breach raises serious concerns for the end user’s confidence in

using online services and poses a serious challenge for the industry.

“Compromised credentials should not provide easy access to malicious actors when multi-factor authentication is in place. You would expect more stringent authorisation and access control and network partitioning to protect these critical assets.”

But with these leaks becoming more and more regular, how should the public respond? And what measures are being put in place to ensure our digital safety?

PROTECTING THE COMMUNITY

A simple way to increase online safety is by following the Cyber Security Guidelines released by the Australian Cyber Security Centre. They outline a series of measures that can help businesses protect their online systems from breaches, allowing customers to feel safe and secure.

Dr Arash Shaghaghi, a senior lecturer in cybersecurity at the UNSW School of Computer Science and Engineering and UNSW Institute for Cybersecurity, says it’s clear the newest research on cybersecurity isn’t being implemented fast enough by

“Users’ data is collected by various services without any control from the end user, and often the data collection to join these services is excessive - leaving end users vulnerable and with limited options when a serious breach occurs.”

THIS PAGE: COMPANIES NEED TO IMPLEMENT CYBER SECURITY GUIDELINES OR RISK EXPOSING USER DATA. many industries, resulting in these attacks. If companies listen and respond to this new information, our data may be better stored and protected. “Users’ data is collected by various services without any control from the end user, and often the data collection to join these services is excessive – leaving end users vulnerable and with limited options when a serious breach occurs,” he says.

“Other parts of the world are investing heavily in technological measures such as self-sovereign identity, where users would have better control over who has access to what part of user identity and other information.

“We need to enhance investment in practical research and think of measures that facilitate the adoption of the latest technologies to reinforce our resiliency against the growing number of attacks targeting Australia.”

By adopting innovative technological solutions, companies can secure the future of cybersecurity.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

In September this year, 10 million Optus customers were hacked when cyber criminals broke into the system and stole personal details including passport ID and driving licence numbers. The breach revealed that an open port used for testing purposes was left in the final product version, creating an opening which was exploited by the hackers.

While this attack was shocking, it’s not uncommon in the digital world. Professor Jha recalls a similar incident when boxing an early version of the Philips Hue bulbs. His team discovered that it was possible to control these devices through similar open ports.

“This was reported to the company who fixed the problem in their future version. A simple penetration testing of servers before deployment could have potentially made such attacks difficult, if not impossible.”

Professor Jha has been concerned about the use of authorisation processes for a long time, claiming that an enforcement of harsher penalties for negligence may ensure future attacks are prevented. By educating businesses and offering better digital support for improving these processes, the public’s data can be protected.

But for this to happen, researchers and industry need to come together, working closely to safeguard Australia’s online community. “We need to regain the community’s confidence in our cyber capabilities,” he says.

These inventive solutions to our cyber security problems may just save Australians from further attacks, but it’s up to businesses to implement strategies online and regain public trust.

LEARNING IN THE HARBOUR CITY

Located just eight kilometres east of Sydney’s CBD, Kincoppal-Rose Bay is nestled amongst extensive private bushland, with easy and direct access to the harbour’s beaches.

For our boarders, KRB is a home away from home where they can relax and unwind. We cultivate a close-knit and nurturing community that allows many opportunities to connect, relate and gain an understanding of different cultures.

The beautiful harbour at Rose Bay is a serene backdrop to the learning, development and adventure that takes place within our school every day. Our location and campus design offers the very best of nature with many opportunities to exercise and be active in a beautiful setting so our students can continue to thrive.

Boarders at KRB live and learn on the picturesque edge of Australia’s biggest city. By taking advantage of all the learning and cultural opportunities that Sydney has to offer as a truly global city, boarders at KRB can expand their world.

The city’s many galleries and museums offer rich learning experiences for our students, with premier cultural institutions such as the Art Gallery of NSW situated less than 10 kilometres from Kincoppal-Rose Bay.

On the weekend, boarding staff facilitate an array of activities, both on campus and around the city. These include attending festivals such as Vivid Sydney, going to sporting matches such as the AFL and Sydney Swifts games, days at local beaches such as Bondi and Coogee, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and surf lessons. There are also visits to the CBD, the many shopping precincts, cinemas and local markets.

For more information, visit krb.nsw.edu.au

WITH FRIENDS LIKE THAT, WHO NEEDS ANEMONES?

Australia’s first offshore coral nursery at Fitzroy Island has spawned an abundance of coral, thanks to the Reef Restoration Foundation.

Words: Matilda Meikle

Reef Restoration Foundation’s CEO, Ryan Donnelly, says the start of coral spawning was recorded by a coral farming expert and three marine biologists. As coral is crucial to marine biodiversity, it’s an exciting development, opening the door for further marine habitat restoration on the Great Barrier Reef.

CRUCIAL CORAL

Reef Restoration Foundation planted coral on underwater frames in 2017, after the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority granted a permit for the pilot research program.

“We planted coral cuttings in a degraded patch of reef and these pioneer species have grown to around 1 metre in diameter, helping to create a healthy and complex habitat for various corals and marine life,” says marine biologist and Master Reef Guide Azri Saparwan.

“Watching our coral babies reproduce for the first time to create the next

generation of corals was a beautiful and humbling experience.

“The spawning was a showcase of how the Great Barrier Reef generates new coral recruits each year as part of its regeneration process.” industry and corporate sponsors to support the Fitzroy Island nursery, as well as another two outer reef sites on Hastings and Moore Reefs.

“It is a community effort as we receive no government funding and rely on the support of around 50 volunteers, with about one-third of these experienced divers working in the tourism industry,” says Ryan Donnelly.

“The challenge for the Great Barrier Reef is far from over, with scientists telling us the water will continue to warm, but we are up for the fight. In a changing climate, it is all about buying time and selling hope.

“We need to drastically reduce global emissions, but at the same time work collaboratively to build the resilience of the places we love. We all have a role to play.”

The techniques employed by these scientists were based on reef restoration sites in Florida, where healthy coral was attached to underwater frames, and then planted onto hard substrate after a growing period of around six months.

THE PROJECT

Cameron Bee was part of the team recording the coral spawning. He has 25 years’ experience in coral aquaculture, specifically with coral farms in the Asia-Pacific region, and is part of the Great Barrier Reef Legacy’s Living Coral Biobank project.

“We are facilitating reef recovery in a time when disturbances are more frequent and severe. Growing corals to create habitat is important, but additionally taking them through to spawning is a milestone in our bid to maintain biodiversity,” he says.

Additionally, Reef Restoration Foundation has partnered with the Tropical North Queensland tourism

LEFT TO RIGHT: RYAN DONNELLY, CEO; MARINE BIOLOGISTS AZRI SAPARWAN AND HANNAH KISH. IMAGES:RRF.

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