by The Computing Australia Group | The Ultimate Cybersecurity
Guide: Protect Your Business
Internet connectivity is the lifeblood of modern business. From cloud apps and remote work to online banking and customer portals, almost everything runs through a network. That convenience comes with a catch: every new connection creates a potential opening for cybercriminals.
If you’ve ever wondered…
- “Are my online communications really safe?”
- “How can I send sensitive information without it being intercepted?”
- “Is my network secure?”
- “Could my customers’ data be exposed?”
…then you’re already thinking about cybersecurity – whether you call it that or not.
Cybersecurity is the armour around your data, systems, and people. In this guide, we’ll walk you through what cyberattacks are, how they work, why cybersecurity matters for every business (especially SMBs), and what practical steps you can take today to reduce your risk.
What Is a Cyberattack?
A cyberattack is a deliberate, unauthorised attempt to access, change, steal, block or destroy data or disrupt systems, usually with malicious intent.
Cyberattacks can be launched by:
- Cybercriminals looking for money (ransomware, stolen credit card data, account takeovers).
- Hacktivists trying to make a political or social point.
- Competitors or insiders trying to gain an unfair advantage.
- State-sponsored attackers targeting critical infrastructure and large organisations.
- Unwitting users, whose compromised devices become part of a larger attack, such as a botnet.
In many cases, attackers don’t even target your company personally. They cast a wide net using automated tools and exploit whoever happens to be vulnerable.
Common Types of Cyberattacks
You don’t need to be an expert, but recognising the main attack types helps you spot trouble early.
1. Phishing and Social Engineering
Attackers trick users into revealing passwords, clicking malicious links, or downloading malware by pretending to be a trusted person or company.
- Fake emails pretending to be from your bank, Microsoft, or “IT Support”
- SMS (“smishing”) saying you missed a delivery or need to verify a purchase
- Fake login pages that harvest usernames and passwords
Why it works: people trust familiar brands and are often busy, rushed, or distracted.
2. Malware (Viruses, Trojans, Ransomware, Spyware)
Malware is any malicious software designed to damage, disrupt, or gain unauthorised access to systems.
- Ransomware encrypts your files and demands payment for the key.
- Spyware silently watches your activity and steals information.
- Keyloggers record your keystrokes (including passwords and card numbers).
- Trojans disguise themselves as legitimate programs to get installed.
Malware often arrives via email attachments, malicious downloads, or compromised websites.
3. Botnets and DDoS Attacks
A botnet is a network of infected devices controlled by an attacker. Your computer, phone, or even smart TV can become part of a botnet without you knowing.
Attackers can then use these devices to:
- Launch DDoS attacks (Distributed Denial of Service), flooding a website or server with traffic until it crashes.
- Send spam or phishing emails at scale.
- Try password combinations against online accounts.
Why it works: people trust familiar brands and are often busy, rushed, or distracted.
4. Credential Stuffing and Password Attacks
Attackers use stolen username–password pairs (often from other breaches) to log into your accounts.
- If you reuse passwords, one breach can unlock multiple accounts.
- Automated tools can test millions of combinations in minutes.
That’s why unique passwords and extra login protections (like MFA) are so important.
5. Insider Threats
Not all threats come from the outside.
- A disgruntled employee might intentionally steal or delete data.
- A well-meaning staff member might accidentally upload sensitive files to a public folder.
- Poor access controls can give people more permissions than they need.
Good cybersecurity includes clear policies, training, and access management -not just technology.
What Is Cybersecurity?
Cybersecurity is the combination of technologies, processes, and everyday practices used to protect your data, devices, networks, and systems from cyber threats.
It aims to safeguard:
- Confidentiality – data is only seen by the right people.
- Integrity – data is accurate and unaltered.
- Availability – systems and data are accessible when needed.
You’ll often hear cybersecurity mentioned alongside information security. They’re closely related:
- Information security is broader - it covers protecting information in any form (digital, paper, verbal).
- Cybersecurity focuses mainly on digital assets and the systems that handle them.
For most modern businesses, the two overlap heavily because so much information is stored and transmitted digitally.
The data you’re trying to protect includes:
- Passwords and login details
- Financial information and payment data
- Customer records and personal information
- Employee details and HR records
- Contracts, quotes, and other confidential business documents
- Intellectual property, designs, and source code
A single security breach can damage your reputation, disrupt operations, and expose customers to identity theft or financial fraud.
The 5 Core Types of Cybersecurity
Effective security isn’t just one product or tool. It’s a layered approach across several areas.
1. Critical Infrastructure Security
This protects physical and digital systems that underpin everyday life, such as:
- Power grids and utilities
- Transport systems and traffic lights
- Hospitals and medical systems
- Water treatment facilities
While most SMBs don’t run national infrastructure, many rely on these services or provide components that plug into them. If you’re in manufacturing, healthcare, or logistics, your cybersecurity posture may directly affect the resilience of critical infrastructure.
2. Network Security
Network security protects the internal networks your business uses every day.
Key elements include:
- Firewalls to filter incoming and outgoing traffic
- Segmentation to separate sensitive systems from general user access
- Secure Wi-Fi configurations (no more “guest” networks sharing access with your servers)
- Intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDS/IPS) to spot and block suspicious activity
- Increasingly, machine learning and AI tools to detect unusual patterns such as abnormal traffic spikes or strange login behaviour
The goal is to ensure only authorised users and devices can connect, and to catch suspicious activity quickly.
3. Cloud Security
Cloud platforms (Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Azure, AWS, etc.) are now central to most organisations.
Cloud security involves:
- Correctly configuring cloud services (misconfigurations are a huge source of breaches).
- Using encryption, access controls, and conditional access policies.
- Enabling web application firewalls (WAFs) for publicly facing applications.
- Implementing AI-based threat detection that can flag abnormal logins, unusual data downloads, or compromised accounts.
Cloud providers secure the platform layer, but you’re still responsible for how your business configures and uses those platforms.
4. Internet of Things (IoT) Security
The Internet of Things (IoT) includes connected devices such as:
- Smart cameras and doorbells
- Sensors and industrial controllers
- Smart TVs and printers
- Building management systems (HVAC, lighting, access control)
These devices often:
- Ship with weak default passwords
- Rarely get updated
- Sit at the edge of your network, exposed to the internet
IoT security requires:
- Regular risk assessments
- Network segmentation for IoT devices
- Changing default credentials
- Applying firmware updates from trusted vendors
A single insecure camera or printer can be the entry point for a major breach.
5. Application Security
Web and mobile applications are frequent targets because they:
- Handle sensitive data
- Are exposed to the internet
- Often depend on multiple third-party components
Application security should start at the design and development stage and include:
- Secure coding practices and code reviews
- Regular security testing (e.g. penetration testing, vulnerability scanning)
- Protection against common attacks like SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and insecure authentication
- Use of antivirus and endpoint protection on developer and server environments
Fixing security problems early in development is far cheaper (and less painful) than cleaning up after a breach.
Why Cybersecurity Matters More Than Ever
Even if you’ve never suffered a cyber incident, the risk is real – especially for small and midsize businesses.
Consider:
- Cybercrime has grown into a multi-trillion-dollar underground industry driven by automation and easy-to-buy attack tools.
- Attackers reuse the same tactics against thousands of businesses at once; they just need a few to work.
- Many attacks are “opportunistic” - they target whoever has weak passwords, unpatched software, or misconfigured cloud systems.
SMBs are particularly attractive targets because:
- They hold valuable data (customer records, payment details, IP).
- They often lack dedicated security teams or robust processes.
- They may rely heavily on a single system (like a CRM or accounting package). If that’s locked by ransomware, operations halt instantly.
A serious cyber incident can result in:
- Direct financial losses – ransom payments, fraud, or theft.
- Operational downtime – staff unable to work, systems offline, orders delayed.
- Regulatory penalties – especially where privacy laws (like the Privacy Act in Australia or GDPR in the EU) apply.
- Reputational damage – loss of trust from customers, partners, and suppliers.
- In the worst cases, business closure - some SMBs never fully recover after a major breach.
The good news? A well-designed cybersecurity strategy dramatically reduces your risk and limits the impact if something goes wrong.
Key Challenges in Cybersecurity
The security landscape is constantly evolving, and defenders face real challenges, including:
1. Cloud and SaaS Vulnerabilities
As more data moves to the cloud, misconfigured settings, weak access controls, and poor monitoring can create gaps in protection. Common issues include:
- Publicly accessible storage buckets
- Excessive permissions for users or apps
- Lack of logging and alerting
2. Human Error and Low Awareness
Many breaches begin with a simple mistake:
- Clicking a phishing link
- Using the same password everywhere
- Sharing credentials informally
- Ignoring or bypassing security policies
That’s why ongoing user awareness training is critical.
3. Shortage of Skilled Professionals
There’s a global shortage of experienced cybersecurity professionals, and SMBs often can’t afford a full in-house security team. This makes managed security services and security-focused IT partners an important part of the solution.
How to Identify a Potential Cyberattack
Early detection can mean the difference between a small incident and a full-scale crisis. Watch for signs like:
- Abnormal spikes in website traffic or strange traffic patterns
- Computers slowing down without obvious cause
- Storage suddenly full despite no major new data
- New applications appearing that you didn’t install
- Programs opening and closing on their own
- Security software being disabled without your involvement
- Frequent, unusual pop-ups or redirects in the browser
- Unexpected password resets or login notifications
- Being locked out of accounts or systems
Best Cybersecurity Practices for Individuals and Businesses
You don’t need a huge budget to improve security. Start with these practical steps that dramatically reduce risk.
1. Install and Maintain Antivirus / Endpoint Protection
Think of antivirus and endpoint protection as a vaccine for your devices:
- Use a reputable security suite across all business devices.
- Ensure real-time scanning is enabled.
- Set automatic updates and regular scheduled scans.
Even if your operating system includes basic protection, a dedicated, reputable solution often offers better detection, central management, and extra features like web protection and email scanning.
2. Use Firewalls
A firewall acts as a digital wall between your internal systems and the internet.
- Enable firewalls on individual devices and at the network boundary (router or dedicated firewall device).
- Restrict unnecessary inbound connections.
- For larger networks, consider next-generation firewalls (NGFW) with advanced threat detection.
3. Implement Single Sign-On (SSO) Where Appropriate
Single sign-on (SSO) lets users access multiple applications with one set of credentials. For example, a single Microsoft 365 login can be used for email, Teams, SharePoint, and more.
Benefits:
- Fewer passwords for users to remember (less chance of reuse or insecure storage).
- Centralised control over access - disable one account, and access is removed from all connected apps.
- Better visibility and auditing of logins.
SSO should be combined with strong authentication and access policies, not used as an excuse for weak passwords.
4. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is one of the most effective ways to stop unauthorised access, even if passwords are stolen.
Common MFA methods include:
- One-time codes sent to email or phone
- App-based codes (e.g. Microsoft Authenticator, Google Authenticator)
- Push notifications to a mobile device
- Security keys (hardware tokens)
- PINs or security questions (ideally combined with stronger factors)
Enable MFA on:
- Email accounts
- Remote access tools (VPNs, remote desktop)
- Cloud services (Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, CRM, accounting platforms)
- Admin interfaces and critical systems
5. Use a VPN for Remote Access
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) encrypts the connection between your device and the network you’re accessing.
- Use a reputable VPN provider or your company’s secure VPN service.
- Require staff to connect via VPN when using public Wi-Fi or working remotely.
Remember: a VPN protects data in transit but does not replace antivirus or other endpoint protection.
6. Keep Systems Patched and Updated
Software vendors regularly release security patches and updates. Ignoring them is like leaving your front door half-open.
- Turn on automatic updates wherever possible.
- Regularly patch operating systems, browsers, plugins, and critical applications.
- Remove old, unsupported software from your environment.
For servers and line-of-business systems, adopt a staged approach: test updates in a controlled environment, then roll them out widely.
7. Use Strong, Unique Passwords
Basic rules still matter:
- Use longer passwords or passphrases (e.g. four random words) rather than short, complex strings you can’t remember.
- Avoid using the same password across multiple sites.
- Consider a password manager to securely store and generate strong passwords.
- Never share passwords via email or messaging apps.
If one password is compromised, you don’t want every account to fall like dominoes.
8. Monitor Financial Activity
Cybersecurity isn’t just an IT issue; it’s a finance issue too.
- Regularly review bank statements and credit card transactions.
- Enable alerts for large or unusual transactions.
- Train staff to verify payment changes (e.g. a supplier asking for new bank details) via a separate, trusted channel.
“Business email compromise” (BEC) scams often rely on convincing finance staff to send money to a fraudulent account.
9. Back Up Your Data
Follow the “3-2-1” rule where possible:
- 3 copies of your data
- 2 different media types (e.g. local storage and cloud)
- 1 copy offsite or offline
Use a mix of:
- Cloud backups (e.g. OneDrive, SharePoint, server backups)
- External drives or network-attached storage (NAS) with restricted access
- Periodic offline backups to protect against ransomware
Test restoring from backups regularly – a backup you can’t restore is just a false sense of security.
10. Report Suspicious Activity Early
Create a culture where people feel comfortable reporting:
- Strange emails or messages
- Unexpected login alerts
- Lost or stolen devices
- Unusual system behaviour
Cyberattacks are intimidating and for genuine reasons. They cause millions of losses around the globe and can even push a business into a fatal pit from which they can’t climb out. However, with awareness and good cybersecurity practices, you’ll be able to prevent and handle such issues easily. This guide on cybersecurity has touched on the major points, but don’t hesitate to reach out to our team if you need more information. You can contact us or emails us atcybersecurity@computingaustralia.group. Our group of experienced professionals will be available 24/7 to help you with your cybersecurity troubles.
