Ransomware attacks increasing in Australia.
Australian businesses have been warned to take extra precautions against cyber-attacks in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Analysts were concerned about attacks, whether they were directed at Australia or “collateral damage” from other broader attacks.
“We’re a society that relies on our telecommunications – that’s how we live our lives – and we need to make sure that we’ve got the latest patches installed, password protection etc, those basic things should be undertaken,”
Analysts also noted some might seek to take advantage of the distraction caused by the Ukraine conflict with Australia, like many other countries around the world, introducing sanctions against Russia.
Are clubs/pubs a target for cyber-attacks?
The main motivation for cyber-attacks remains money. On this score, many clubs and pubs believe they are not a high potential target, but the Australian Signals Directorate and the Australian Cyber Security Centre have highlighted that small and medium businesses are significant targets for Conti. Conti is a ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) affiliate program associated with Russian-speaking cybercrime actors.
In USA gaming venues, Cyber security continues to grab headlines for both commercial and tribal casinos that have been hacked, had customer data stolen, and in some cases had to close temporarily. The problem for tribal casinos has gained prominence more recently, with the Indian Gaming Commission reporting in 2021 that cyberattacks jumped 1,000% since 2019.
While in Australia, Wrest Point Casino was closed for weeks due to a significant ransomware attack last year.
Now in the USA, an increase in cyberattacks on casinos, hotels, and other businesses has reduced the availability of cyber insurance and substantially increased premiums and deductibles are prompting some to look at self-insurance.
Safeguarding your business
In Australia, Secom Technology is a specialist IT company for the hospitality industry and uses the Untangle NG Firewall solution to protect its customers. NG Firewall is a solution that protects customer data in POS and gaming systems, includes intrusion protection that blocks hacking events such as ransomware and phishing attacks, allows for network wide usage policies even when staff and customers access the internet through your business Wi-Fi from their own devices, and is flexible enough to grow along with your hospitality business needs.
About the Untangle NG Firewall solution
Managing your network and ensuring every device is adequately protected can be a complex and costly task. Untangle’s NG Firewall simplifies network security with a single, modular, software platform designed specifically for businesses such as pubs and clubs with limited IT resources and budgets.
Untangle NG Firewall provides a browser-based, responsive, and intuitive interface enabling you to quickly gain visibility into the traffic on your network. This includes a dashboard that attaches the reports your business requires as widgets for fast visibility. From content filtering to advanced threat protection, VPN connectivity to application-based shaping for bandwidth optimization, the Untangle NG Firewall delivers a comprehensive, enterprise-grade network security platform.
Some of Untangle’s NG Firewall features include:
Safe and secure Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is now the top amenity customers want. With Untangle, customers will have the convenience to safely go online wherever they are located in your venue. Basic Internet access can be provided for free, and if higher bandwidth is needed, tiered service offerings can be made available. For back-office operations, the system can prioritise Internet traffic for administration tools, point-of-sale and more.
Protecting purchases and customer information
Mobile payments, such as Apple Pay have become increasingly popular but as a small/medium business, network security is crucial. Untangle’s security solution ensures that businesses can provide customers with streamlined and protected purchases both online and in person.
Ransomware and virus prevention
Intrusion prevention blocks hacking attempts before they reach internal servers and desktops. Untangle’s pre-configured signature-based IPS makes it easier for administrators to provide 24/7 network protection from hackers. Modern malware threats target servers, laptops, tablets, and even mobile phones. While it is important that all of these devices have end-point protection—with the latest versions of software and virus signatures—you may struggle with control over these devices as they connect offsite to unsecured networks, then return to your network with malware on board. You need a first line of defence.
Firewall
Drawing the line that separates internal and external networks, Firewall filters traffic based on IP address, protocol, and port, which enables administrators to designate which systems and services (HTTP, FTP, etc.) are publicly available. Firewall can be run as a transparent bridge to complement a pre-existing firewall and allows you to control inbound and/or outbound access to specific IPs and ports.
Phish blocker
Identity thieves are becoming increasingly sophisticated with email and website spoofs that are nearly impossible to discern from the real thing. Phish Blocker protects users from email phishing attacks and fraudulent pharming websites.
To investigate how Untangle NG Firewall can prevent these issues in your business contact:
Jason Drew
Secom/Sint – Phone: 1300 781 224
News Sources:
Russian State-Sponsored and Criminal Cyber Threats to Critical Infrastructure | Cyber.gov.au
