A new Tenable study found that most IT and cyber professionals across Australia want the federal government to invest more in bolstering the nation’s digital security.
The exposure management firm recently released the results of its pre-election survey that asked 200 IT leaders from various sectors about the government’s actions to mitigate cyberthreats to enterprises.
About 79 percent of respondents advocated for more federal initiatives that prevent rather than respond to cyber incidents.
Security Brief cited the most recent Australian Signals Directorate Report, which warned that cybercrimes targeting enterprises have surged, with one cyber incident reported every six minutes compared to one every seven minutes in 2023.
IT leaders have been adopting strategies to protect their networks from risks. Most of those polled emphasized the importance of access control and monitoring and regular software updates. Around 60 percent also see continuous employee training and education as key to cybersecurity.
“Organizations that adopt proactive risk management strategies not only enhance their security but also benefit financially through reduced insurance premiums,” Scott McKinnel, country manager of Tenable ANZ, said in a statement.
“Both public and private sectors must continue to collaborate and prioritize preventive measures to stay ahead of emerging threats.”
According to a CSO report, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s administration unveiled in May a new funding package for fiscal years 2024 and 2025 that includes allocations for cybersecurity and IT improvements.
Services Australia, a platform that delivers welfare services to Australians, will get $1.19 billion to enhance its overall cybersecurity environment and recruit additional frontline and service delivery staff.