Techbest – Top Tech Reviews In Australia
The best in Australian gadgets and technology
We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission which is paid directly to our Australia-based writers, editors, and support staff. Thank you for your support!
Bluetooth 5.4 Headphones, Wireless in-Ear Headphones with ENC Noise Cancelling Mic, 48H Wireless Headphones Deep Bass IP7 Waterproof Wireless Earbuds, Bluetooth Earphones, Light Blue
We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission which is paid directly to our Australia-based writers, editors, and support staff. Thank you for your support!
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has announced a “recent, complex and directed” cyber assault that has taken place. The court has confirmed that the situation has been controlled, marking the second instance of such an event in recent years.
In 2023, the ICC faced a major cyber assault, leading to weeks of operational difficulties as the court disengaged from most online systems. The details of that incident, including the attackers’ identities, were never revealed.
The recent cybersecurity breach coincides with the ICC’s issuance of arrest warrants for President Vladimir Putin, concerning alleged child deportations from Ukraine, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, linked to the situation in Gaza. Both Russia and Israel contest these actions and deny the ICC’s authority, emphasizing the intricate geopolitical backdrop of the court’s operations.
The latest cyber assault on the International Criminal Court highlights ongoing cybersecurity issues encountered by international organizations in a complicated geopolitical environment. As the ICC progresses with its judicial responsibilities, the incident raises concerns regarding the safety of sensitive international legal processes.
We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission which is paid directly to our Australia-based writers, editors, and support staff. Thank you for your support!
Xiaomi Redmi Buds 6 Pro Active Noise Cancelling up to 55dB Advanced Triple Driver LDAC Compatible High Resolution Audio Wireless Up to 36 Hours Music Playback Google Fast Pair Gray Sheer White
We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission which is paid directly to our Australia-based writers, editors, and support staff. Thank you for your support!
A recent exploration of Australian executive boardrooms underscored the disconnect between AI enthusiasm and tangible execution. Business leaders are keen to harness AI for economic benefits but encounter difficulties in turning dreams into reality. Steve Anderton, who heads digital solutions at Brennan, pointed out that despite considerable interest, the uptake of AI is still limited.
Anderton’s research indicates that unclear objectives, absence of success indicators, and excessive confidence are significant obstacles. This has fostered a divide between AI advocates and financial leaders like CFOs, who are reluctant to allocate resources without compelling business cases.
To tackle these issues, Anderton proposes a strategy of ‘micro-innovation’. This approach focuses on bringing together cross-functional teams to swiftly prototype and refine AI solutions, quickly showcasing their value and steering clear of overcommitting to uncertain projects. Achieving this requires a cultural transformation within organizations.
Advancing AI pilots to operational status calls for solid IT infrastructure and governance. Contemporary cloud solutions, efficient data governance, and adaptable infrastructure are crucial. The emergence of ‘Shadow AI’, where applications like ChatGPT are utilized without oversight, heightens the risk, emphasizing the need for governance.
Confronting cultural hurdles, such as anxieties about job security, is essential. The focus should not be on AI replacing jobs but rather on empowering individuals who can effectively leverage AI. Appropriate change management and educational efforts are critical for prevailing AI integration.
Australian companies find themselves at a pivotal moment in AI uptake, fueled by enthusiasm yet impeded by challenges in execution. By concentrating on micro-innovation, bolstering infrastructure, and tackling cultural obstacles, businesses can transition from aspirations to successful AI adoption.
We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission which is paid directly to our Australia-based writers, editors, and support staff. Thank you for your support!
OPPO Enco Air4 Wireless Headphones with Surround Sound, Active Noise Cancellation, 12 Hours Battery Life, Low Latency for Gaming and Resistance IP55, White
We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission which is paid directly to our Australia-based writers, editors, and support staff. Thank you for your support!
Australia’s financial crimes authority, AUSTRAC, has uncovered a concerning pattern: victims of scams are among the most active users of cryptocurrency ATMs in the nation. In a countrywide initiative, AUSTRAC identified 90 individuals, including scam victims and alleged offenders, as the primary users of these devices. The agency’s assessment concentrated on transaction amounts to identify instances likely linked to fraud or scams.
AUSTRAC’s CEO Brendan Thomas expressed dismay at the findings, indicating that while it was suspected that a majority of crypto ATM transactions could be illegal, it was alarming to find that almost all flagged transactions involved victims rather than offenders. A notable case involved an older woman who was deceived into putting over $430,000 into cryptocurrency ATMs through various scams, including romance and investment schemes.
In light of these findings, AUSTRAC has enforced regulations and restrictions on crypto ATM providers, citing compliance issues. The quantity of active machines in Australia has surpassed 1800, necessitating a more detailed examination of these ATMs’ operations.
The enforcement extends beyond ATMs, with significant cryptocurrency exchanges such as Binance and Blockchain Global also undergoing heightened scrutiny from Australian regulators. These measures represent a broader initiative to combat crimes enabled by digital currencies.
AUSTRAC’s recent observations underscore a critical problem in the use of cryptocurrency ATMs in Australia, where scam victims constitute the majority of users. The agency’s emphasis on compliance and regulatory actions seeks to limit the exploitation of digital currency platforms. With ongoing oversight of major exchange platforms, Australia is proactively addressing the challenges presented by the digital currency environment.
We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission which is paid directly to our Australia-based writers, editors, and support staff. Thank you for your support!
HUAWEI FreeBuds 6i Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds, Smart Dynamic ANC, Powerful Bass, 35 Hours Battery, Compatible with iOS and Android, Black
We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission which is paid directly to our Australia-based writers, editors, and support staff. Thank you for your support!
Sportsbet has taken a notable step towards improving its cybersecurity stance by enlisting 42 senior personnel as ‘security champions’. This initiative aims to incorporate security considerations at the project’s onset, a method known as ‘shift-left’.
The initiative is inspired by AWS’ security guardians program, which highlights the importance of frequent and early security evaluations. These guardians work collaboratively with central security teams to enhance security standards while enabling quicker product launches.
Mirroring AWS’ methodology, Sportsbet’s security champions are responsible for executing threat modelling and posing essential security inquiries during the development phase. This forward-thinking method seeks to avert last-minute security approvals and ensure effective security protocols are established prior to product launches.
Before the program’s inception, Sportsbet operated with informal security methods across its 25 delivery teams. The organization identified an opportunity to formalize these actions and broaden them across all teams. The objective is to promote consistent threat modelling and secure mindset throughout the project design stages.
The pilot program, launched in the third quarter of the previous year, engaged 10 engineers acknowledged as ‘security friends’. These individuals naturally identified security issues and assisted their teams with secure methodologies. The pilot aimed to officially support and widen these natural behaviors.
Security solutions consultant Paul Johnson highlighted the favorable results of the pilot. Champions dedicated two hours each week to the program, participating in onboarding and communicating with fellow champions through a specific Slack channel. The initiative aligns with the STRIDE threat modelling framework and has resulted in innovations such as custom plug-ins for threat modelling.
While quantitative indicators like time savings in security evaluations are apparent, qualitative factors, including enhanced team involvement and greater willingness to raise security concerns, are also vital signs of the program’s success.
Obstacles emerged, such as the necessity to clearly outline the champions’ roles to prevent them from being perceived as mere extensions of the security team. Johnson stressed the significance of effective communication regarding the responsibilities of champions.
Sportsbet’s security champions initiative aims to integrate security considerations early in the development process, reducing last-minute security challenges and promoting a secure mindset. Influenced by AWS, the program has already shown positive outcomes, both quantitatively and qualitatively, and is set to become a critical element of Sportsbet’s cybersecurity strategy.
We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission which is paid directly to our Australia-based writers, editors, and support staff. Thank you for your support!
As Gerard Florian prepares for retirement in early August, ANZ Banking Group is commencing a global search for a new technology head. Florian’s exit signifies the conclusion of a noteworthy chapter for the bank’s tech division, where he has been the group executive since January 2017.
Throughout Florian’s leadership, ANZ has experienced significant technological progress. His time at the bank has been characterized by the integration of cloud services, artificial intelligence, and enterprise solutions that have significantly improved the experiences of both customers and bankers. Florian also contributed significantly to the establishment of shared business services, including payment processes and credit procedures, optimizing operations throughout the bank.
As ANZ looks to ensure a smooth transition, Michael Bullock, the existing CIO of ANZ’s New Zealand division, has been named as acting group executive. CEO Nuno Matos commended Bullock’s ability to spearhead technology during this transition, emphasizing the bank’s commitment to refining its approach to non-financial risk.
Under Florian’s guidance, ANZ launched a comprehensive data and analytics initiative and established an ‘AI immersion centre’ in Melbourne. The bank has expanded its utilization of generative AI technology, with intentions to investigate agentic AI opportunities. These developments place ANZ at the leading edge of technological innovation among Australia’s ‘Big 4’ banks.
Gerard Florian’s upcoming retirement from ANZ signifies the close of a transformative period for the bank’s technology sector. His leadership has propelled substantial progress in AI, cloud services, and data analytics. As Michael Bullock assumes the role of acting group executive, ANZ continues to prioritize the enhancement of its technological landscape and the management of non-financial risks.
We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission which is paid directly to our Australia-based writers, editors, and support staff. Thank you for your support!
An ex-student of Western Sydney University has been detained concerning a range of cyber intrusions that targeted the academic institution. The 27-year-old woman was taken into custody in Kingswood after cybercrime investigators executed a search warrant, revealing evidence purportedly related to the incursions.
The NSW Police, in partnership with Western Sydney University, the AFP Joint Policing Cyber Coordination Centre, and cybersecurity specialists, identified the alleged perpetrator as a former student. Initially, she purportedly exploited university systems to gain unauthorized discounted parking on campus. The accusations claim that her actions progressed to modifying academic grades and threatening to sell private student information on the dark web.
Since 2021, Western Sydney University has experienced multiple cyber breaches, including unauthorized access, data theft, system compromises, and the misuse of university resources. These incidents have reverberated through the student and staff community, emphasizing the severity of the security violation.
The arrest of a former Western Sydney University student represents a crucial turn in the inquiry into cyber intrusions that have beset the institution since 2021. With 20 charges filed against her, the legal process is poised to unravel the depth of the cyber offenses committed.
