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!
JBL Vibe Flex, Wireless Bluetooth Headphones, 12mm Drivers, 32 Hour Playback, IP54 Water and Dust Resistant – 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!
Anna Clive is an experienced leader in technology, renowned for her significant role as the inaugural Chief Information Officer (CIO) at Aussie Broadband. Her time there was distinguished by a firm emphasis on technology strategy, network digitization, and security measures. Honored as “Telecommunications and Media Technology Leader of the Year” earlier this year, Clive is acknowledged for her ability to sync technology with business objectives.
The Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ) has enlisted Anna Clive as General Manager of Data, Digital, and Innovation, a role crafted to establish RACQ as a leader in technology. As stated by an RACQ representative, Clive will initiate efforts aimed at:
These initiatives fit within RACQ’s larger strategy to evolve with its members’ changing needs and sustain its preeminence in the Australian market.
This newly established role underscores RACQ’s dedication to leveraging digital transformation for competitive gain. With Clive’s proven background in managing sophisticated technology projects, the organization intends to utilize data and innovation to provide more personalized and effective member services. This development holds particular relevance as various sectors across Australia increasingly turn to data-driven methods to fulfill customer expectations.
Anna Clive’s exit from Aussie Broadband occurred simultaneously with a mid-2023 leadership reorganization at the internet service provider. Her CIO duties have since been merged into a newly created position, Chief Transformation Projects Officer, currently occupied by Andrew Webster. This shift illustrates the evolving landscape of leadership within the technology domain, where adaptability and congruence within the organization are vital for triumph.
Anna Clive’s move to RACQ as General Manager of Data, Digital, and Innovation signifies a key advancement in the organization’s technological progression. Her background in data analytics, cybersecurity, and digital solutions is viewed as crucial in reshaping RACQ’s member engagement strategies. This appointment highlights the increasing significance of tech leadership in fostering innovation and addressing consumer needs in Australia’s competitive landscape.
Clive’s appointment as General Manager of Data, Digital, and Innovation is essential for guiding RACQ’s digital transformation. It demonstrates the organization’s commitment to utilizing technology for enhancing member services and preserving its premier position in the industry.
Her priorities focus on advancing data analytics, rolling out digital solutions, and innovating methods of member engagement. These projects aim to enhance RACQ’s agility and member-centric approach.
Clive’s exit was in line with an internal restructuring at Aussie Broadband. Her CIO responsibilities were transformed and incorporated into the broader role of Chief Transformation Projects Officer, indicating the organization’s changing leadership dynamics.
By prioritizing data insights and cutting-edge technologies, RACQ aims to offer more tailored, efficient, and pertinent services to its members, enhancing overall satisfaction.
Industries such as finance, telecom, and automotive services are spearheading the push for digital transformation. Organizations are investing more in leadership positions to oversee the incorporation of data and technology into their offerings.
Challenges may include aligning RACQ’s legacy infrastructure with current technologies, managing organizational change, and ensuring smooth integration of new digital solutions for both members and staff.
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!
South East Water, a governmental utility provider for Melbourne’s eastern suburbs and the Mornington Peninsula, is poised to be a pioneer in the Victorian water utilities industry by embracing artificial intelligence (AI). The organisation is gearing up to activate two Salesforce Einstein AI services—case classification and summarisation—on December 2, which signifies a major step forward in enhancing customer service functionalities.
Peter Hiransi, Group Manager of Customer Strategy and Design, stated during the Salesforce Agentforce World Tour in Melbourne that these AI tools will assist contact centre agents in addressing incoming customer inquiries more effectively. “We want to eliminate wait times for callers in the contact centre,” remarked Hiransi. “Our aim is to provide a better customer experience and satisfaction by lowering call handling durations.”
Understanding the challenges and responsibilities that come with AI, South East Water has opted for a careful and well-organised strategy. The technology unit has devised an AI governance framework, operational control plan, and supportive policies to protect customer data. This framework guarantees that the utility’s data privacy compliance and risk management protocols are strong.
“We want to make sure that everything we implement protects customer data,” Hiransi stressed. “We have conducted thorough risk and privacy evaluations to instill confidence in both us and our customers.”
With these provisions in place, South East Water’s executive team has approved the first two AI applications as pilot programs, paving the way for wider AI integration in the future.
Alongside its AI efforts, South East Water is embarking on a multi-year project aimed at establishing a unified “single view of customer” through a new data lake. This project seeks to bring together scattered customer records across various systems, thereby promoting a seamless and cohesive method of customer management.
Hiransi pointed out, “When a customer reaches out to us, we want to have a clear picture of who they are, their latest interactions, and all pertinent information from our digital systems. It’s a challenging journey, but it is essential.”
To bolster this initiative, South East Water has fostered a strong culture of data ownership and stewardship. Hiransi himself serves as the data owner for customer information, supported by a committed team of data stewards.
South East Water is taking significant strides to integrate AI into its customer service framework, all while upholding high ethical and data privacy standards. With the introduction of Salesforce Einstein services and a long-term data lake initiative, the utility is poised to redefine customer experiences and operational effectiveness. These groundbreaking efforts not only set a standard for the Victorian water utilities sector but also showcase the transformative capacity of AI within public services.
South East Water is introducing two Salesforce Einstein AI services: case classification and summarisation. These tools are designed to enhance the efficiency of contact centre agents in resolving customer queries.
The AI services are planned to launch on December 2.
The utility has established an AI governance framework, an operational control plan, and completed risk and privacy assessments to safeguard customer data.
The data lake initiative focuses on creating a “single view of customer” by integrating fragmented customer records from various systems, allowing for a more streamlined and effective approach to customer management.
Challenges include maintaining data privacy, crafting a comprehensive governance framework, and integrating disparate customer data systems. However, these issues are being tackled through thorough planning and teamwork.
By being the first utility in the sector to deploy AI solutions and pursue a unified customer data project, South East Water is establishing itself as an innovator in customer service excellence.
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 Attorney-General’s Department (AGD) is initiating a substantial IT transformation with the goal of becoming a fully cloud-native entity. This bold transition is part of the department’s comprehensive IT strategy, concentrating on updating legacy systems, enhancing its cyber security capabilities, and providing improved services to its users.
At present, only 20% of AGD’s workloads are placed in public cloud platforms, supported by Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure. The remaining 80% continue to be managed on-premises within private or co-location data centres verified under the Digital Transformation Agency (DTA) Hosting Certification Framework.
A primary catalyst for this initiative is the modernisation of legacy systems. Numerous governmental systems in Australia depend on antiquated infrastructure, leading to challenges in scalability, efficiency, and upkeep. By shifting to a cloud-native model, the AGD aspires to remove these constraints while ensuring its systems are ready for the future.
With the rising frequency of cyber threats, bolstering cyber security is a high priority for the AGD. Cloud-native systems present strong security features, including automated threat detection and adherence to government-established security regulations. The utilization of cloud services that are certified under the DTA Hosting Certification Framework further guarantees data safety and operational integrity.
The AGD is dedicated to providing an uninterrupted user experience for both internal personnel and external clients. Cloud-native systems facilitate improved agility, scalability, and dependability, leading to swifter service delivery and a more user-focused approach to digital capabilities.
Currently, the AGD has transitioned various custom-built business systems and software-as-a-service (SaaS) applications to the cloud. These workloads are maintained in secure settings provided by AWS and Microsoft Azure. However, a significant portion of the department’s applications and workloads continues to operate on-premises.
Looking ahead, the AGD plans to expand its cloud presence. The shift will be gradual, ensuring compliance with standards and minimizing disruptions to ongoing operations. The department’s hybrid approach emphasizes its dedication to balancing innovation with stability and security.
The Attorney-General’s Department’s shift to a cloud-native framework is a strategic initiative aimed at modernising legacy systems, boosting cyber security, and enhancing user experiences. With just 20% of its workloads currently in the cloud, the department has established a definite pathway for upcoming migrations while maintaining strict adherence to government protocols. This transformation signifies a broader movement among Australian government agencies toward embracing cloud technologies to foster efficiency and innovation.
A cloud-native organisation utilizes cloud computing technologies to create, develop, and oversee applications and systems. This methodology emphasizes scalability, flexibility, and resilience while capitalizing on cloud-specific capabilities such as automation and distributed architecture.
The AGD seeks to refresh its legacy systems, fortify its cyber security framework, and enhance its service delivery to users. Cloud-native infrastructures provide the scalability, security, and efficiency necessary to achieve these objectives.
All cloud workloads at AGD are hosted in environments accredited under the DTA Hosting Certification Framework. This ensures alignment with Australian government security standards and offers strong safeguards to defend sensitive data from cyber threats.
As of now, 20% of the workloads and applications at AGD are situated in public cloud environments such as AWS and Microsoft Azure, with intentions for further migration planned for the future.
This transformation will facilitate quicker and more efficient service provision, enhanced system reliability, and improved user experiences, ultimately benefiting Australian citizens who depend on the Attorney-General’s Department for various services.
Significant challenges may involve ensuring seamless data migration, maintaining regulatory compliance, and navigating the complexity of integrating cloud-native solutions with existing on-premises systems.
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!
Norths Collective, a Sydney-based hospitality group that operates six venues and two fitness centres, has seen a substantial increase in membership as a result of its ongoing digital transformation initiatives. The membership base grew by 7000, resulting in a total of 65,000 members. Robert Lopez, the Chief Marketing Innovation Officer, notes that this growth is closely linked to the group’s emphasis on personalisation, analytics, and an all-encompassing 360-degree customer perspective.
Ten years ago, Norths Collective distributed uniform email messages to all members, irrespective of their individual preferences or behaviours. Today, the organisation practices “hyper personalisation,” creating bespoke messages for each member using demographic and behavioural insights. This change has drastically improved email open rates from 20% to 60% and click-through rates from 1.4% to nearly 12%.
By analysing the past 90 days of engagement data, Norths Collective identifies the best times to communicate with each member. Through assessing transactional and engagement behaviours, the organisation ensures its outreach is timely and appropriate. This data-centric strategy has also increased customer lifetime value across its venues and fitness centres.
A notable outcome of the digital transformation is Norths Collective’s improved ability to support the community. The organisation now allocates 13% more to community projects compared to before the digital ecosystem was introduced. Lopez highlighted the significance of this “community loop,” whereby increased member interaction allows the group to reinvest more into local initiatives.
The rollout of digital tools and processes encountered various challenges. With some employees having been with the organisation for over 35 years, adjusting to new technologies like tablets and automated membership systems proved tricky. However, by articulating a clear vision and involving staff in the transition, the organisation transformed resistance into support. Feedback from frontline workers has been overwhelmingly positive, with many welcoming the changes after experiencing their advantages firsthand.
Norths Collective’s methodical digital transformation has not only led to a 12% increase in membership but has also markedly enhanced member engagement, customer lifetime value, and community contributions. The group’s focus on personalisation, data analytics, and effective change management offers a model for other organisations in the hospitality sector aiming to modernise operations and fortify customer relations.
Hyper personalisation refers to customising communications and services for individual members based on demographic and behavioural data. For Norths Collective, this method has greatly improved email open and click-through rates, thereby enhancing overall member involvement.
The 360-degree customer view integrates data from various customer touchpoints to form a complete profile of each member. This allows the organisation to provide tailored experiences and focused communications, strengthening relationships with members.
A significant hurdle was the resistance to change among long-term employees. Nevertheless, by clearly stating the vision and engaging staff in the process, Norths Collective successfully navigated this obstacle and gained staff support for the new systems.
Enhanced member engagement and increased revenue have permitted Norths Collective to invest more in community projects. The group now gives back 13% more to the community compared to its contributions before the transformation.
Yes, other organisations can emulate Norths Collective’s success by focusing on establishing a clear vision, employing data-driven personalisation techniques, and effectively addressing change management challenges.
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!
Aussie Broadband is on a transformative path to construct a next-gen private cloud platform. Following rapid expansion through organic growth and acquisitions, the firm has built up a complicated technical landscape that is costly and challenging to oversee. To tackle these challenges, the new private cloud platform seeks to integrate legacy systems, modernize processes, and improve scalability.
Ben O’Shea, Transformation and Cloud Platform General Manager, states that the goal of the initiative is to create “one platform to rule them all,” intended to supplant current compute and containerization platforms.
The endeavor utilizes a powerful range of technologies from top-tier vendors:
These technologies represent the foundation of a high-performance and scalable cloud ecosystem, designed to support Aussie Broadband’s ambitious growth objectives.
The private cloud initiative has been underway for six months, with Aussie Broadband aiming to start moving its first production workloads by mid-2025. As the platform develops, it will also accommodate additional services, including database-as-a-service (DBaaS), API gateways, and integration tools.
Upon completion of the project, Aussie Broadband plans to phase out its legacy virtualization, Docker, and Kubernetes platforms, significantly lowering technology debt and freeing up data centre resources.
A crucial impetus for the initiative is the requirement to scale efficiently in a telecommunications sector that necessitates real-time performance and flexibility. O’Shea underscores that a key aim of the new platform is the swift deployment of solutions through automation and zero-touch provisioning.
Beyond upgrading infrastructure, Aussie Broadband is assessing the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance customer support. O’Shea imagines AI-driven tools that can process data from home routers and Wi-Fi networks to offer real-time insights into connectivity challenges. This could empower customers with self-service performance adjustments, such as prioritizing specific traffic during high-demand periods.
For example, customers grappling with slow streaming on Netflix might receive an AI-generated suggestion to prioritize their streaming traffic, ensuring an enhanced viewing experience.
Aussie Broadband’s groundbreaking private cloud project is poised to revolutionize its internal infrastructure, delivering an integrated platform that merges legacy systems and boosts operational effectiveness. By leveraging solutions from Cisco, NetApp, Pure Storage, and SuSE, the platform is set to facilitate growth, streamline technical operations, and enhance customer service through AI-driven insights. With the initial workloads scheduled for migration by mid-2025, Aussie Broadband is establishing a standard for innovation within the telecommunications arena.
The primary aim is to streamline legacy systems, decrease technology debt, and deliver a scalable, efficient platform to back the company’s growth and modernization strategies.
The platform utilizes Cisco Nexus for networking, NetApp AFFs for storage, Pure Storage’s Portworx for software-defined storage, and SuSE’s Rancher RKE2, Harvester, and NeuVector for cloud operations and security.
Aussie Broadband intends to migrate its first production workloads to the platform by mid-2025 and will continue to develop it to offer further services in the future.
The platform will enable the rapid deployment of innovative solutions and leverage AI to deliver real-time insights and self-service options to customers for optimizing their broadband performance.
The project will retire Aussie Broadband’s old virtualization platforms, Docker, Kubernetes, along with outdated compute and storage hardware.
AI will evaluate real-time information from routers and Wi-Fi networks to identify performance issues and provide actionable solutions, such as traffic prioritization, directly for customer benefits.
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 has officially embarked on a new chapter in cybersecurity with the enactment of its first specialized cybersecurity law. This groundbreaking legislation, integral to the government’s 2023-2030 Australian Cyber Security Framework, has been ratified by the Senate and is designed to strengthen the country’s defenses against escalating cyber threats.
Businesses are now obligated to inform the government about ransomware payments, a pivotal step towards enhancing transparency and cooperation in the fight against cybercrime. Furthermore, the legislation establishes mandatory security protocols for smart devices, ensuring that the technology utilized by Australians is less susceptible to cyberattacks.
A key feature of the new law is the obligatory disclosure of ransomware payments. With ransomware incidents increasing globally, this regulation guarantees that the government remains informed about such events. The data collected will contribute to recognizing attack trends and formulating more effective responses.
Historically, businesses often managed ransomware incidents discreetly, occasionally settling with hackers without alerting authorities. This lack of openness impeded collective responses and made it challenging to gauge the extent of the issue.
Smart devices, ranging from virtual assistants to IoT-capable appliances, have become essential to day-to-day life, yet pose significant cybersecurity risks. The new legislation enforces necessary security standards for these devices to ensure enhanced protection against cyber threats and data leaks.
Experts have long cautioned that many smart devices lack fundamental cybersecurity safeguards, making them prime targets for cybercriminals. By imposing stricter regulations, the government seeks to establish a safer digital landscape for households and businesses in Australia.
This legislation also bolsters information-sharing protocols between private companies and government bodies, including the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD). The National Cyber Security Coordinator and ASD will now have a ‘limited use’ mandate to share data collected during cybersecurity incidents.
This initiative addresses a longstanding challenge wherein private sector organizations often omitted government agencies from their incident response protocols, creating significant gaps in national cybersecurity efforts.
The Cybersecurity Act is part of a larger legislative framework, which includes revisions to the Security of Critical Infrastructure and Other Legislation Amendment (Enhanced Response and Prevention) Bill 2024 and the Intelligence Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Cyber Security) Bill 2024.
The groundwork for this new legislation was laid in 2021, following a rise in ransomware incidents. After thorough consultations and industry input, the bill reflects a collaborative effort to tackle Australia’s cybersecurity hurdles.
The law emphasizes mandatory reporting of ransomware payments, implementing security standards for smart devices, and enhancing information sharing among private companies and government organizations.
By reporting ransomware payments, the government can gather data on patterns and trends of attacks. This information is vital for crafting effective responses and reducing the profitability of ransomware operations.
Smart devices, including virtual assistants, IoT-enabled appliances, and other connected technologies, will now be required to adhere to mandatory security standards to minimize risks.
The new legislation enables the National Cyber Security Coordinator and the Australian Signals Directorate to exchange information collected from affected organizations during cyber incidents, facilitating a unified response.
The law is scheduled to come into force in 2024 as part of the comprehensive Australian Cyber Security Framework for 2023-2030.
Extensive consultations were conducted with industry stakeholders through submissions and feedback during the drafting phase. The parliamentary joint committee on intelligence and security (PJCIS) reviewed over 60 submissions.
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!
In September, Intel finalized a US$3 billion contract with the US Department of Defense (DoD), aimed at developing a secure domestic supply chain for semiconductors essential to national security. The financial backing for this contract was sourced from the US$39 billion designated by the CHIPS Act, rather than the Pentagon’s budget. This funding shift is expected to reduce Intel’s direct grant under the CHIPS Act.
The 2022 CHIPS and Science Act, enacted by US President Joe Biden, allocates US$52.7 billion to revive domestic semiconductor production. This includes US$39 billion designated for manufacturing subsidies and US$11 billion for R&D efforts.
Under the CHIPS Act, Intel was initially projected to receive US$8.5 billion in grants and up to US$11 billion in loans, intended to facilitate the construction of two new plants and the upgrading of an existing facility in Arizona. However, the adjustment due to the Pentagon contract may lower the final grant to approximately US$7.5 billion or more.
This year, Intel has encountered significant obstacles, such as decreasing profit margins and the termination of thousands of employees. Despite substantial investments led by CEO Pat Gelsinger, Intel has found it difficult to reclaim its position in the semiconductor market.
Intel’s stock has fallen by 47% this year, now valued lower than rivals like Qualcomm and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD). The company’s lowered valuation has even attracted interest from potential acquisition bidders.
The Pentagon contract highlights the crucial need to maintain a secure domestic semiconductor supply chain, especially for defense-related applications. Nevertheless, the redirection of CHIPS Act funds has faced criticism from some lawmakers who argue that Intel is disproportionately benefiting from these subsidies. This dispute underscores the challenges of reconciling economic drivers with national security objectives.
Intel’s US$3 billion Pentagon contract has altered the flow of CHIPS Act subsidies, likely leading to a decrease in its direct grant funding. While the contract reinforces Intel’s function in strengthening US semiconductor production, it arises at a moment when the company is battling financial hurdles and declining market valuation. As the semiconductor sector continues to transform, Intel’s trials and prospects epitomize wider transitions in global technology and geopolitics.
The financial backing for Intel’s US$3 billion contract with the Pentagon was drawn from the CHIPS Act’s US$39 billion subsidy pool, resulting in a diminished direct grant allocation for Intel.
The CHIPS Act is a US government program aimed at providing US$52.7 billion to rejuvenate domestic semiconductor manufacturing. Intel stands to gain from subsidies and loans, even though the Pentagon deal has shifted the distribution of these funds.
This year, Intel has encountered substantial challenges, including a 47% decline in its stock price, contracting profit margins, and widespread layoffs. These issues have prompted concerns regarding its sustainable competitiveness in the market.
The Pentagon agreement underscores the strategic necessity of a secure US semiconductor supply chain, particularly for national defense needs. It also emphasizes the role of governmental subsidies in shaping the industry’s future landscape.
The CHIPS Act subsidies form part of a wider strategy designed to lessen dependence on foreign-made semiconductors, enhance national security, and boost domestic manufacturing prowess.
Indeed, certain lawmakers have expressed concerns regarding the redistribution of CHIPS Act funds to finance the Pentagon contract, asserting that Intel has been favored in the funding allocation process.
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!
Motorola Moto Buds (Bluetooth 5.3 Earbuds, Hi-Res Sound, Dolby Atmos, Active Noise Cancellation, Wireless Charging, Up to 42 Hours Battery Life, 3-Way Microphone System) Kiwi Green
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!
Reports indicate that hackers linked to the Chinese state are breaching crucial IT infrastructure in the United States, sparking concerns about their preparedness for possible future hostilities. As noted by Morgan Adamski, executive director of US Cyber Command, these efforts are intended to provide China with a strategic edge by infiltrating essential systems should tensions rise between the two countries.
Key focus areas involve tampering with heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems in data centers, along with potential interruptions to energy and water management controls. Such actions could incapacitate vital services, posing serious risks to public safety and national security.
In one of the most impactful cyberattacks to date, a Chinese-linked espionage initiative called “Salt Typhoon” has caused significant disruption to US telecommunications companies. Senator Mark Warner has described this assault as the worst telecom hack in US history. The hackers obtained sensitive call logs, intercepted communications from prominent political figures, and compromised data requests from US law enforcement.
These incidents underscore the advanced capabilities of Chinese cyber operations, emphasizing their focus on acquiring critical intelligence while creating chaos.
The US government is proactively addressing these cyber threats. Morgan Adamski has indicated that coordinated global efforts are being launched to undermine and obstruct China’s cyber activities. These initiatives include public disclosures of hacking operations, sanctions, legal actions, and cybersecurity warnings. Collaborative endeavors with international allies are crucial in establishing a united front against cyber threats.
The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) are also offering technical assistance to organizations vulnerable to attacks.
Although the primary focus has been on the US, Australia is equally at risk. With an increasing dependence on interconnected systems and critical infrastructure, vigilance is imperative. Australian businesses and government agencies should consider enhancing their cybersecurity by implementing advanced security measures, performing routine security evaluations, and participating in international information-sharing initiatives.
Recently, Australia has encountered cyber intrusions attributed to state-sponsored actors, including breaches in governmental departments and private businesses. The evolving threat landscape necessitates robust national cybersecurity strategies to safeguard against impending risks.
Chinese state-sponsored cyber operatives are intensifying efforts to compromise critical infrastructure in the US, possibly as a precursor to impending conflicts. With targets including telecommunications, energy grids, and water management systems, the danger extends beyond a single nation. The US is pursuing a coordinated global strategy to counter these operations, but the repercussions for Australia are substantial. Strengthening cybersecurity protocols is no longer a choice—it has become essential in light of evolving cyber threats.
Chinese hackers are concentrating on vital infrastructure, such as energy grids, water systems, and HVAC setups in server spaces. These infrastructures are crucial for public safety and national security, rendering them high-priority targets.
“Salt Typhoon” refers to a Chinese-linked cyber espionage initiative that affected US telecommunications companies. It has been characterized as the most severe telecom breach in US history, involving the theft of call logs, compromised political communications, and intercepted data requests from law enforcement.
The US is implementing globally coordinated strategies to counteract Chinese cyber operations. This encompasses sanctions, legal actions, the exposure of hacking campaigns, and the issuance of cybersecurity warnings. Technical assistance is also being provided to potential targets.
Absolutely. Australia is subjected to similar risks concerning its critical infrastructure. With prior state-sponsored cyberattacks aimed at Australian entities, it is crucial to enhance both national and organizational cybersecurity protocols.
HVAC systems regulate the climate in server rooms. By tampering with these systems, hackers can overheat servers, resulting in critical failures and substantial disruptions to IT infrastructure.
Businesses can bolster their cybersecurity by adopting advanced monitoring solutions, performing routine security evaluations, training personnel on cybersecurity best practices, and collaborating with Australian cybersecurity organizations for threat intelligence.
