Adams says a particular focus this year is educating and supporting SMEs, which represent over 90 per cent of total businesses in New Zealand.
“Businesses that use the internet to its full potential are 6 per cent more productive than average. If we could get all SMEs online it could add up to $34 billion in productivity gains to New Zealand.”
She adds: “SMEs often don’t have the resources available to spend on security that bigger businesses do which leaves them vulnerable to online intrusion. Recent reports show 60 per cent of all cyberattacks are aimed at SMEs.”
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment estimates there are 459,300 SMEs in New Zealand. These include micro (1 to 5 employees), and small (6 to 19 employees) enterprises.
SMEs are advised to get a cybersecurity ‘warrant of fitness’ by taking the following steps:
One: Assess the cyber security of your business
Read more: The untrammelled rise of the cyber security professional
Two:Develop a cyber-security policy for your business
Three: Establish an incident management plan
Four: Regularly review and update your network security systems
Related:The top cyber risks for NZ in an interconnected world
Read more: Cyber-risk: Put it on the agenda before it becomes the agenda
Recent reports show 60 per cent of all cyberattacks are aimed at SMEs.
Read more: SAS Global Forum 2015: Bringing cyberanalytics to the frontline
Guard your privacy
Peter Chisnall, country manager for MasterCard New Zealand, echoes the same cybersecurity message, focusing on consumers.
Read more: ISACA: Boards and the executive team must take a leadership role in cybersecurity
“As Kiwis increasingly shop online, they should remain alert, especially when they are sharing personal information,” says Chisnall.
“Guard your privacy and do not disclose personal information unless you know who is collecting it and how it is being used,” he advises.
“Some websites sell their customer information to third parties, so check the small print and opt out of sharing your information if you don’t want other people to use it.”
“It’s not difficult to set up a page on the Internet, so the onus is on you to do some background research on the retailer you are buying from, especially if they are not a familiar brand name or you have not come across their website before.”
Read more: Don’t underestimate shadow IT in your organisation
Send news tips and comments to divina_paredes@idg.co.nz
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