COULD MY CLUB REALLY BE A PROFESSIONAL HACKER’S TARGET?

Australia is recognised around the world as the “lucky country” because we are wealthy by international standards, so our businesses have become a growing target for hackers.  Experts at an international threat analysis company have ranked Australia as one of the most targeted countries at risk from devastating ransomware attacks.  Hotels, restaurants, and leisure services ranked among the Top 10 targeted industries.

Over the past few months local hospitality industry experts have identified several cases of hackers installing new malicious software called ‘PerfectData Software’ during hijackings of Microsoft 365 accounts. Industry IT Services specialist Jason Drew, CEO of Secom Technology Group, has already identified it in hacking attacks in several NSW clubs. 

 

How could my venue be at risk?

Did you know that one small casino in the USA was hacked through the thermometer in a fish tank?

“The attackers used that (a fish-tank thermometer) to get a foothold in the network”, a security expert explained.

“They then found the high-roller database and then pulled that back across the network, out the thermostat, and up to the cloud.”

This highlights the advice provided by Jason Drew, CEO of Secom Technology Group, in an interview at the 2023 Australasian Gaming Expo. Jason confirmed that there are many areas in clubs and pubs that provide opportunities for hackers.

“Hospitality venues hold large data sets of members personal information, with members and guests logging on to local open access Wi-Fi, common use Microsoft accounts and staff often sharing passwords. Every club uses Microsoft software, vulnerable to the new ‘PerfectData Software’ hack, with often limited control over accounts. In all clubs, protecting that data and accounts is critical”.

“We also have older systems that have moved to cloud-based solutions but are using hybrid hardware and firmware updates to support technology that was not designed to connect to the internet, such as our VoIP telephone systems.  They lack the IT security required in today’s world and the hackers know it”.

I guess we can include fish tanks in that list too!

Using a Managed IT service in your club or hotel gives the best security against hackers as these companies constantly monitor and update software patches to ensure there are no loopholes to exploit.

In addition, Managed IT Services, such as hospitality specialists Secom Technology Group, can complete Vulnerability Assessments and Penetration Testing to give you an overview of where you have areas in your systems and software that makes you vulnerable.

 

Why Is It Important for Businesses to Do Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing?

One of the best ways to ensure that your IT systems and applications are secure and resilient against cyber threats is by conducting regular vulnerability assessment and penetration testing on IT systems and applications. It is a security testing method that combines these two complementary approaches.

Vulnerability scanning is the process of identifying and analysing the vulnerabilities that exist in IT systems and applications. Vulnerability assessment tools scan the IT systems and applications for known vulnerabilities and provide a report on the severity, location, and description of each vulnerability.

Penetration testing, also known as a “pentest” or “ethical hacking,” is a manual technical test that goes beyond vulnerability scanning. The test identifies vulnerabilities (loopholes) on a system, network, or an application, and subsequently attempts to exploit those vulnerabilities. Penetration testers use various techniques and tools to exploit the vulnerabilities and gain unauthorised access or perform malicious actions on the system or application.

Vulnerability assessment and penetration testing provides businesses with a more comprehensive and realistic evaluation of their IT security than any single test alone.

 

Find out if your club is at risk today!

Secom Technology Group can complete a cybersecurity & vulnerability scan and penetration test (including an Executive Summary Report) to ensure your venue is secure.

Call Jason Drew at Secom Technology – Phone:  1300 781 224

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SINT: CASH TRAX AND PLAY TRAX COMPLIANCE TOOLS

With the added requirement for clubs to monitor player harm minimisation compliance and potential money laundering, any tool that can assist becomes a powerful business tool for managers and gaming floor staff in clubs and hotels. Most gaming systems can only highlight triggers when players are carded or use a general and non-specific trigger to identify non-carded play. Sint’s Cash Trax and Play Trax is even more effective as it can monitor carded and non-carded play and is integrated with your gaming and operational systems.

 CASH TRAX – AML TRANSACTION MONITORING, DETECTION AND REPORTING

Cash Trax is an AML transaction monitoring, detection and reporting software tool using an AI based machine-learning process that analyses suspicious gaming activity and irregular player behaviours that deviate from an accepted baseline, and reports against a venue threshold measurement.

In simple terms, you set up an initial benchmark for player spending behaviours in your club, combined with OLGR thresholds, and the system learns and develops to the point where it can differentiate between ‘normal’ and ‘irregular’ behaviours. That means no more pages and pages of false reports are flagged that take up time and resource costs to investigate.

CashTrax then collates and compiles all irregular transactional data and reports, which enables easy access for further investigation and reporting if required. And, you know that they are all true suspicious activities, not false positives.

Cash Trax can also operate within your Notify Me paging system from Sint or integrated into your existing paging system. Cash Trax has expanded and can be integrated with your existing Cherry Check or ERM Online advanced reporting tools.

Notifications and alerts can be directed to managers via paging, SMS, or email, with documentation of the incident being entered live and uploaded to the venues preferred operational reporting platform.

NEW PLAY TRAX – HARM MINIMISATION TOOL

The focus of RCG has now changed from following simple harm minimisation regulations to a strong proactive approach to managing player health and harm minimisation for vulnerable players. Unfortunately, gaming system alerts are normally targeted around carded players so having alerts for uncarded players when it comes to RCG is almost impossible based on the gaming systems 15min update cycle, and lack of session time calculations for uncarded players.

Play Trax can monitor player behaviour, session times and potential issues on a live floor whether players are using a membership card in the machine or not. Picking up play anomalies with both carded and non-carded players provides significant support for club and hotel managers and RCG Officers, particularly during busy periods.

Play Trax uses similar technology to Cash Trax to provide managers with RCG alerts through paging system integration to action any potential issues immediately. Play Trax alerts are configurable with escalating red, amber and green alerts for members and non-members playing both EGM and MTGM machines.

Similar to Cash Trax for money laundering, Play Trax messages can be directed to any paging system, mobile SMS messages, or email. Integration with inhouse reporting platforms ensure documentation of the incident is uploaded live into shift reports.

Find our more about Cash Trax and Play Trax by visiting the Sint Technology Group Stand 791 at AGE 2023.

 

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NEW FEATURES ADDED TO POPULAR NOTIFY.ME PAGING SYSTEM

Compatible with all gaming loyalty systems, Notify.Me is a leading paging system used by many clubs and pubs because of its strong customer focus including on-demand food and beverage ordering from poker machines, entry detection notification for VIP players, escalated messaging for higher tier customers and being able to assign designated attendants to specific members or tiers for better service speed.

The true advantage to the Notify.Me paging system is its flexibility to integrate with virtually any device that your club or hotel uses, as well as enhancements specifically supported and developed for the system.

Sound/decibel level monitoring

The latest in-built addition to Notify.Me is the introduction of a sound level monitoring system. This is a growing problem for clubs and hotels in suburban locations and particularly for clubs with apartment developments nearby or in the same building. Residents commonly complain about noise from outdoor gaming and noisy patrons entering or leaving the venue.

This unique technology from Sint ensures the club can monitor noise levels live, providing immediate paging or SMS alerts to managers of potential noise level breaches that may effect a venue’s liquor licence.

Most importantly, the monitoring also provides clubs with documented compliance evidence in the event a situation arises where the club is accused of exceeding the appropriate DB levels internally or externally.

Cash Trax – A Live AML reporting tool

The Cash Trax system is an AML transaction monitoring, detection and reporting software tool using an AI based machine-learning process that analyses suspicious gaming activity and irregular player behaviours that deviate from an accepted baseline and reports against a venue threshold measurement. In simple terms, you set up an initial benchmark for player spending behaviours in your club and the system learns and develops to the point where it can differentiate between ‘normal’ and ‘irregular’ behaviours.

 Cool room and temperature monitoring

The cost of food wastage in the current economic environment is a target for many venues with a laser focus on spending. Notify.Me can be set up to monitor the cool room for temperature fluctuations. If the temperature drops below a pre-set minimum, it notifies the manager of the issue. A resolution can be underway immediately to ensure there is no loss of stock.

 

To find out more about how the new inbuilt features of Notify.Me can work for your venue contact:

Jason Drew

Australia-wide 1300 175 994

info@sint.com.au

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ARE IT SYSTEMS AT YOUR VENUE AT RISK?

Cybersecurity experts warn Australian businesses are under threat as the nation remains one of the most targeted for ransomware attacks. Hotels, restaurants, and leisure services ranked among the Top 10 targeted industries.

Threat analysis company Flashpoint ranked Australia eight following 11 ransomware attacks just in July, behind the USA and the UK.

Flashpoint’s July Cyber Threat Intelligence Index reported businesses worldwide battled a whopping 515 ransomware attacks in July alone.

The company’s senior intelligence analyst Ben Gestier said Australia was “consistently among the most targeted countries” for such attacks.

“Safeguarding company assets from ransomwares is crucial for Australian businesses,” Mr Gestier said.

“Businesses should all implement or constantly update their own threat readiness and response plans in order to prevent lasting damage.”

How do you even know if your venue is at risk?

Using a Managed IT service in your club or hotel gives the best security against hackers as these companies constantly monitor and update software patches to ensure there are no loopholes to exploit. In addition, Managed IT Services, such as hospitality specialists Secom Technology Group, can complete Vulnerability Assessments and Penetration Testing to give you an overview of where you have areas in your systems and software that make you vulnerable.

In an interview at the recent Australasian Gaming Expo, Jason Drew, CEO of Secom Technology Group, advised that there are many areas in clubs and pubs that provide opportunities for hackers.

“Hospitality venues hold large data sets of members personal information, and with members and guests logging on to local open access Wi-Fi, and staff often sharing passwords, protecting that data is critical”.

“We also have older systems that have moved to cloud-based solutions but are using hybrid hardware and firmware updates to support technology that was not designed to connect to the internet, such as our VoIP telephone systems.  They lack the IT security required in today’s world and the hackers know it”.

Why Is It Important for Businesses to Do Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing?

One of the best ways to ensure that your IT systems and applications are secure and resilient against cyber threats is by conducting regular vulnerability assessment and penetration testing on IT systems and applications. It is a security testing method that combines two complementary approaches: vulnerability scanning and penetration testing.

Vulnerability scanning is the process of identifying and analysing the vulnerabilities that exist in IT systems and applications. Vulnerability assessment tools scan the IT systems and applications for known vulnerabilities and provide a report on the severity, location, and description of each vulnerability.

Penetration testing, also known as a “pentest” or “ethical hacking,” is a manual technical test that goes beyond vulnerability scanning. The test identifies vulnerabilities (loopholes) on a system, network, or an application, and subsequently attempts to exploit those vulnerabilities. Penetration testers use various techniques and tools to exploit the vulnerabilities and gain unauthorised access or perform malicious actions on the system or application.

Vulnerability assessment and penetration testing provides businesses with a more comprehensive and realistic evaluation of their IT security than any single test alone.

How long has it been since your club or hotel undertook a professional IT software and systems assessment?

Secom Technology Group can complete cybersecurity & vulnerability scan and penetration test (including an Executive Summary Report) to ensure your venue is secure.

Find out if your club is at risk today!

 

Call Jason Drew at Secom Technology – Phone:  1300 781 224

For more information >>> Australia ranked among the most targeted countries for ransomware cyberattacks in July report | news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site

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SECOMTECH SPECIAL AGE 2023 OFFER VULNERABILITY AND PENTEST

One of the biggest threats to business are hackers. For hospitality venues, who hold large data sets of members personal information, and with members and guests logging on to local open access Wi-Fi, and staff often sharing passwords, protecting that data is critical.  We also have older systems that have moved to cloud-based solutions but are using hybrid hardware and firmware updates to support technology that was not designed to connect to the internet, such as our VoIP telephone systems.  They lack the IT security required in today’s world… and the hackers know it.

Why Is It Important for Businesses to Do Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing?

Cybersecurity is a crucial aspect of any business that relies on IT systems and applications. Cyberattacks can cause significant damage to a business, such as data breaches, financial losses, reputational harm, and legal liabilities. Therefore, it is essential for businesses to ensure that their IT systems and applications are secure and resilient against cyber threats.

One of the best ways to achieve this is by conducting regular vulnerability assessment and penetration testing on IT systems and applications. It is a security testing method that combines two complementary approaches: vulnerability scanning and penetration testing.

Vulnerability scanning is the process of identifying and analysing the vulnerabilities that exist in IT systems and applications. Vulnerability assessment tools scan the IT systems and applications for known vulnerabilities and provide a report on the severity, location, and description of each vulnerability.

Penetration testing, also known as a “pentest” or “ethical hacking,” is a manual technical test that goes beyond vulnerability scanning. The test identifies vulnerabilities (loopholes) on a system, network, or an application, and subsequently attempts to exploit those vulnerabilities. Penetration testers use various techniques and tools to exploit the vulnerabilities and gain unauthorised access or perform malicious actions on the system or application.

Vulnerability assessment and penetration testing provides businesses with a more comprehensive and realistic evaluation of their IT security than any single test alone.

 

Find out if your club is at risk today!

Secom Technology Group are offering a cybersecurity & vulnerability scan and penetration test (including and executive summary report) for the special AGE Show price of $1599 (ex GST).

Visit us today at Stand 791 to book your vulnerability scan and penetration test.

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HOW UNTANGLE HELPS YOU PREPARE FOR MORE CYBER ATTACKS

The Australian Government recently announced an offensive against cybercriminals using a task force to “hack the hackers” following a data breach that has exposed millions of people’s personal information. Its 100 or so operatives will use the same cyber weapons and tactics as cybercriminals use, to hunt them down and eliminate them as a threat. While taking an offensive stance, and actively seeking and trying to neutralise offshore gangs could deter further attacks, it could also put a big red cross on Australia’s back.

For clubs and hotels, who hold large data sets of members personal information, and with members and guests logging on to local open access Wi-Fi, and staff often sharing passwords, protecting that data is critical.  Here is how Secom’s Untangle NG Firewall solution can help.

Why is firewall software so important?

Strong firewall software is a vital component of any computer network’s security system and Secom Technology uses the Untangle NG Firewall solution that has the added benefit of being supported by Secom’s long history in the hospitality industry and their specialists knowledge of the vulnerabilities of POS and Gaming Systems.  The Untangle NG Firewall software acts as a barrier between the insecure internet and the secure internal network at your club or hotel, preventing unauthorized access, virus attacks, spyware, phishing, and other cyber threats.

Untangle NG Firewall software monitors and controls the network traffic that enters and exits your network. By using predefined rules and filters, firewall software can block or allow certain types of data packets based on their source, destination, protocol, or content. This way, you can prevent hackers from exploiting vulnerabilities in your network or applications, or stealing the sensitive information you hold on your members and guests. You can also customize your firewall settings to suit your specific needs and preferences.

Viruses are malicious programs that can infect your devices and perform harmful actions, such as deleting files, encrypting data, displaying unwanted messages, or spreading to other devices. Untangle NG Firewall software can detect and block viruses before they reach your network, devices POS and Gaming Systems, or quarantine them if they are already inside. Untangle NG Firewall can also update itself regularly to protect you from new and emerging threats.

Spyware and malware programs can secretly install themselves on your devices and collect your staff or customers personal information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, browsing history, or keystrokes. They can also change your settings, redirect your web pages, display ads, or download more malware. Untangle NG Firewall can prevent spyware and malware from entering your network or devices and remove them if they are already present.

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.

 

To investigate how Untangle NG Firewall can prevent these issues in your business contact:

Secom Technology Group – Phone:  1300 781 224      


 

 

 

 

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PREPARE FOR MORE CYBER ATTACKS

The Australian Government recently announced an offensive against cybercriminals using a task force to “hack the hackers” following a data breach that has exposed millions of people’s personal information. Its 100 or so operatives will use the same cyber weapons and tactics as cybercriminals use, to hunt them down and eliminate them as a threat. While taking an offensive stance and actively seeking and trying to neutralise offshore gangs could deter further attacks, it could also put a big red cross on Australia’s back.

For clubs and hotels, who hold large data sets of members personal information, and with members and guests logging on to local open access Wi-Fi, protecting that data is critical.  Here is how Secom’s Untangle NG Firewall solution can help.

Why is firewall software so important?

Strong firewall software is a vital component of any computer network’s security system and Secom Technology uses the Untangle NG Firewall solution that has the added benefit of being supported by Secom’s long history in the hospitality industry and their specialists knowledge of the vulnerabilities of POS and Gaming Systems.  The Untangle NG Firewall software acts as a barrier between the insecure internet and the secure internal network at your club or hotel, preventing unauthorized access, virus attacks, spyware, phishing, and other cyber threats.

Untangle NG Firewall software monitors and controls the network traffic that enters and exits your network. By using predefined rules and filters, firewall software can block or allow certain types of data packets based on their source, destination, protocol, or content. This way, you can prevent hackers from exploiting vulnerabilities in your network or applications, or stealing the sensitive information you hold on your members and guests. You can also customize your firewall settings to suit your specific needs and preferences.

Viruses are malicious programs that can infect your devices and perform harmful actions, such as deleting files, encrypting data, displaying unwanted messages, or spreading to other devices. Untangle NG Firewall software can detect and block viruses before they reach your network, devices POS and Gaming Systems, or quarantine them if they are already inside. Untangle NG Firewall can also update itself regularly to protect you from new and emerging threats.

Spyware and malware programs can secretly install themselves on your devices and collect your staff or customers personal information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, browsing history, or keystrokes. They can also change your settings, redirect your web pages, display ads, or download more malware. Untangle NG Firewall can prevent spyware and malware from entering your network or devices and remove them if they are already present.

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.

 

To investigate how Untangle NG Firewall can prevent these issues in your business contact:

Secom Technology Group – Phone:  1300 781 224

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INDUSTRY SPECIALIST MANAGED IT SERVICES SAVE YOUR CLUB/PUB $$$

The traditional way of handling IT system technical problems is the break-fix cycle, or worse… the break-Band-Aid cycle. With increased digitisation, network interactions, cloud and Wi-Fi protection, security of sensitive data and the need for greater mobility, the average club or pub sees more and more complexity in their IT requirements.

Most clubs and hotels are using many data systems and services including gaming systems, check-in systems, till systems, beverage control systems, paging systems and many laptops, desktops and mobile phones, all interconnected. On top of this are many software overlays including firewalls, AV systems and office software all requiring constant protective updates.

Risking a blowout on any one of these systems can be costly and time-consuming and the temptation to patch it to get it up and running quickly, rather than fixing it properly, just leads to a recurrence of the problem repeatedly with escalating costs.

What are “Managed IT Services”?

A “Managed IT Service” is designed to make life for clubs and hotels easier, by monitoring technology proactively 24/7, to detect and fix potential issues before they cause a disaster in the venue during busy trading periods. Using remote monitoring programs, Secom Technology are an Australian hospitality systems specialist IT Service who understand that in the club/hotel business downtime caused by IT problems involve financial loss, critical data loss and significant customer service issues.

What are the unique requirements for clubs and hotels considering Managed IT Services?

  • 100% Australian

With international supply chains for parts and customer support so compromised in recent years, Secom Tech provides its Australian customers with a 100% Australian owned and operated Managed IT Service, with a 100% Australian-based support call centre, and are a 100% supplied with Australian parts and components business.

While we always concentrate on preventing things from breaking in the first place, if the problem does escalate, a proactive Australian based and supplied service ensures improved uptime and reduced costs for Secom Tech customers.

  • Experience counts

One of the most frustrating aspects of information technology is the labour that comes with installing hardware. You’re also responsible for providing preventive care to ensure the equipment is always performing optimally. Secom techs engineers are experienced and qualified technicians, so they understand the technical scope of hardware and software management. Not only do they make sure the installation is done efficiently, but they also follow up with preventive maintenance to ensure everything is always running at its best.

Traditional break-fix IT doesn’t allow your IT services provider much insight into your ongoing needs. They come in, fix the problem, bill you for their time, and they’re onto another client. Longer-term managed services agreements position Managed IT Services providers as partners that gain a better understanding of your business over time.

How does a Managed IT Service save costs?

  • Regulating Cash Flow

Accurately forecasting when you spend money is nearly as important as how much you spend. The biggest issue with the break-fix cycle is that you never know how much something will cost to fix it or patch it and how often the problem will continue to occur.

Managed IT Services provided by Secom Technology help with this problem by offering a reliable, easy to understand fixed monthly pricing structure that is consistent, month after month, year after year. Your technology is monitored constantly, and you’re alerted when it looks like a problem may be looming or software requires an update, so surprise bills become a thing of the past.

  • Prevention

Having Managed IT Services means that your IT service provider can help prevent problems from turning in to budget black holes. In the club and hotel industry identifying a maintenance plan means that the costliest of issues, a crash during trade, can be prevented through monitoring and updating hardware and software on a schedule.

By preventing potential problems up front, you get to reduce the surprises that cost both your team’s time, and your bottom line.

  • Technology Advice from Experts

With managed IT services, you gain access to strategic technology advice. Today’s technology comes with a rapidly changing array of choices and options. Working with an IT partner, you receive advice on developing an IT budget, reducing costs, vendor management and selecting the right hardware and software for your specific business needs. Making informed purchasing decisions based on unbiased expert advice is yet another way to save time and money.

Why is it important to use a Managed IT Service that understands the club/hotel industry?

  • 24/7 Peace of Mind

A club or hotel business needs a managed IT service that understands they don’t shut down for long each day and with security and data issues that threaten hospitality businesses, monitoring your computer systems for routine system outages as well as hardware or software failures around the clock is essential.

If anything goes wrong — even in the middle of the night — an experienced local professional is there to resolve the situation.

  • Better network and data security

Every day, we hear about another business that has had its data exposed through a security breach. Clubs and hotels hold large amounts of customer data requiring high level security. When you work with a managed IT service that understands clubs and hotels, their primary focus is making sure that your IT assets are current on all security patches, updates and anti-virus software.

Additionally, Secom Tech’s partner Untangle NG Firewall provides internationally recognised security, visibility and control of your network alerting and preventing hacking and spam issues.

  • Disaster Planning and Protection

Proactively planning and preparing for a disaster isn’t something most business owners like to think about, but it’s critical to keeping your technology running if an unanticipated business interruption occurs.

 

What sized club or hotel will benefit from Managed IT Services?

Secom’s managed IT services are a scalable solution for any sized club or hotel business, with a fixed monthly cost.

 

Need to talk to a solutions expert to see what you could gain from managed IT services?

 

Call Jason Drew today for a free consultation!

 

Secom Technology – Phone:  1300 781 224

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MORE CYBER ATTACKS – STRONG FIREWALL SOFTWARE IS VITAL

Once again, this month another gaming venue, Crown Resorts, suffered a ransomware attack through GoAnyware, a supposedly secure third-party online file transfer provider that the casino group uses to send sensitive documents inside and outside the organisation. The data stolen included employee time and attendance records and some membership numbers from Crown Sydney. A small amount of information: yes, but yet another example of the escalating risk of cyber-attack in Australian venues.

Why is firewall software so important?

Strong firewall software is a vital component of any computer network’s security system and Australia’s Secom Technology uses the Untangle NG Firewall solution. This offers the combined benefit of enterprise level firewall software from Untangle, with Secom’s long history in the hospitality industry and their specialist knowledge of the vulnerabilities of POS and Gaming Systems.  The Untangle NG Firewall software acts as a barrier between the insecure internet and the secure internal network at your club or hotel, preventing unauthorized access, virus attacks, spyware, phishing, and other cyber threats.

Untangle NG Firewall software monitors and controls the network traffic that enters and exits your network. By using predefined rules and filters, the software can block or allow certain types of data packets based on their source, destination, protocol, or content. This way, you can prevent hackers from exploiting vulnerabilities in your network or applications, or stealing the sensitive information you hold on your members and guests. You can also customize Untangle NG Firewall settings to suit your specific needs and preferences.

Another benefit of Untangle NG Firewall software is that it stops virus attacks that can damage your systems or compromise your data. Viruses are malicious programs that can infect your devices and perform harmful actions, such as deleting files, encrypting data, displaying unwanted messages, or spreading to other devices. Untangle NG Firewall software can detect and block viruses before they reach your network, devices, POS and Gaming Systems, or quarantine them if they are already inside. Untangle NG Firewall can also update itself regularly to protect you from new and emerging threats.

Spyware and malware are programs can secretly install themselves on your devices and collect your staff or customers personal information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, browsing history, or keystrokes. They can also change your settings, redirect your web pages, display ads, or download more malware. Untangle NG Firewall can prevent spyware and malware from entering your network or devices or remove them if they are already present.

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.

 

To investigate how Untangle NG Firewall can prevent these issues in your business contact:

Secom Technology Group – Phone:  1300 781 224

 

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INDUSTRY SPECIALIST MANAGED IT SERVICES SAVE YOUR CLUB/PUB $$$

The traditional way of handling IT system technical problems is the break-fix cycle, or worse… the break-Band-Aid cycle. With increased digitisation, network interactions, cloud and Wi-Fi protection, security of sensitive data and the need for greater mobility, the average club or pub sees more and more complexity in their IT requirements.

Most clubs and hotels are using many data systems and services including gaming systems, check-in systems, till systems, beverage control systems, paging systems and many laptops, desktops and mobile phones, all interconnected. On top of this are many software overlays including firewalls, AV systems and office software all requiring constant protective updates.

Risking a blowout on any one of these systems can be costly and time-consuming and the temptation to patch it to get it up and running quickly, rather than fixing it properly, just leads to a recurrence of the problem repeatedly with escalating costs.

 What are “Managed IT Services”?

A “Managed IT Service” is designed to make life for clubs and hotels easier, by monitoring technology proactively 24/7, to detect and fix potential issues before they cause a disaster in the venue during busy trading periods. Using remote monitoring programs, Secom Technology are an Australian hospitality systems specialist IT Service who understand that in the club/hotel business downtime caused by IT problems involve financial loss, critical data loss and significant customer service issues.

What are the unique requirements for clubs and hotels considering Managed IT Services?

  • 100% Australian

With international supply chains for parts and customer support so compromised in recent years, Secom Tech provides its Australian customers with a 100% Australian owned and operated Managed IT Service, with a 100% Australian-based support call centre, and a 100% supplied with Australian parts and components business.

While we always concentrate on preventing things from breaking in the first place, if the problem does escalate, a proactive Australian based and supplied service ensures improved uptime and reduced costs for Secom Tech customers.

  • Experience counts

One of the most frustrating aspects of information technology is the labour that comes with installing hardware. You’re also responsible for providing preventive care to ensure the equipment is always performing optimally. Secom Tech’s engineers are experienced and qualified technicians, so they understand the technical scope of hardware and software management. Not only do they make sure the installation is done efficiently, but they also follow up with preventive maintenance to ensure everything is always running at its best.

Traditional break-fix IT doesn’t allow your IT services provider much insight into your ongoing needs. They come in, fix the problem, bill you for their time, and they’re onto another client. Longer-term managed services agreements position Managed IT Services providers as partners that gain a better understanding of your business over time.

How does a Managed IT Service save costs?

  • Regulating Cash Flow

Accurately forecasting when you spend money is nearly as important as how much you spend. The biggest issue with the break-fix cycle is that you never know how much something will cost to fix it or patch it and how often the problem will continue to occur.

Managed IT Services provided by Secom Technology help with this problem by offering a reliable, easy to understand fixed monthly pricing structure that is consistent, month after month, year after year. Your technology is monitored constantly, and you’re alerted when it looks like a problem may be looming or software requires an update, so surprise bills become a thing of the past.

  • Prevention

Having Managed IT Services means that your IT service provider can help prevent problems from turning in to budget black holes. In the club and hotel industry identifying a maintenance plan means that the costliest of issues, a crash during trade, can be prevented through monitoring and updating hardware and software on a schedule.

By preventing potential problems up front, you get to reduce the surprises that cost both your team’s time, and your bottom line.

  • Technology Advice from Experts

With managed IT services, you gain access to strategic technology advice. Today’s technology comes with a rapidly changing array of choices and options. Working with an IT partner, you receive advice on developing an IT budget, reducing costs, vendor management and selecting the right hardware and software for your specific business needs. Making informed purchasing decisions based on unbiased expert advice is yet another way to save time and money.

Why is it important to use a Managed IT Service that understands the club/hotel industry?

  • 24/7 Peace of Mind

A club or hotel business needs a managed IT service that understands they don’t shut down for long each day and with security and data issues that threaten hospitality businesses, monitoring your computer systems for routine system outages as well as hardware or software failures around the clock is essential.

If anything goes wrong — even in the middle of the night — an experienced local professional is there to resolve the situation.

  • Better network and data security

Every day, we hear about another business that has had its data exposed through a security breach. Clubs and hotels hold large amounts of customer data requiring high level security. When you work with a managed IT service that understands clubs and hotels, their primary focus is making sure that your IT assets are current on all security patches, updates and anti-virus software.

Additionally, Secom Tech’s partner Untangle NG Firewall provides internationally recognised security, visibility and control of your network alerting and preventing hacking and spam issues.

  • Disaster Planning and Protection

Proactively planning and preparing for a disaster isn’t something most business owners like to think about, but it’s critical to keeping your technology running if an unanticipated business interruption occurs.

What sized club or hotel will benefit from Managed IT Services?

Secom’s managed IT services are a scalable solution for any sized club or hotel business, with a fixed monthly cost.

 

Need to talk to a solutions expert to see what you could gain from managed IT services?

 

Call Jason Drew today for a free consultation!

 

Secom Technology – Phone:  1300 781 224

 

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