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Secureworks State of the Threat Report 2022

Secureworks has published its annual State of the Threat Report, revealing that the exploitation in remote services has become the primary initial access vector (IAV) in ransomware attacks over the past year, accounting for 52% of ransomware incidents analysed by Secureworks over the period (overtaking credentials-based attacks from 2021). Alongside this, there has also been a 150% rise in the use of infostealers, making them a key precursor to ransomware. Both these factors keep ransomware the primary threat for organisations, who must fight to stay abreast of the demands of new vulnerability prioritisation and patching. The 2022 State of the Threat Report from Secureworks provides an overview of how the global cybersecurity threat landscape has evolved over the last 12 months, with a focus on the Secureworks Counter Threat Unit’s (CTU) first hand observations of threat actor tooling and behaviors. Highlights from the Report include: Shift to exploiting vulnerabilities as primary initial access vector (IAV) over credentials-based attacks Accelerated use of Infostealers as a means of enabling ransomware operations Insights into the changing groups and threats associated with the continued dominance of ransomware Changes and newcomers in the loader landscape Tools and tactics of hostile government-sponsored groups across the world The onward march of ransomware Ransomware continues to remain the primary threat facing organisations accounting for more than a quarter of all attacks. Despite a series of high-profile law enforcement interventions and public leaks, and a small slow down over the summer months, ransomware operators have maintained high levels of activity. The median detection window in 2022 is four and a half days, compared to five days in 2021. The mean dwell time in 2021 was 22 days but so far in 2022 is down at 11 days. Companies effectively have one working week to respond to and mitigate damage. […]

What is a Budget -Who is it for?

-Comment Watching the Treasurer deliver a Budget is a very therapeutic event. It provides a reality check as to how the nation is financially…or it confirms that nothing being said has a positive effect on our well-being. What do the numbers mean, how many new houses are going to be built, how many jobs cut? As the Treasurer reeled out the big numbers, I wished the AFL season were just starting so I would have something important to concentrate on. The numbers, I’m afraid, don’t mean much. Or don’t mean much now. They will only be confirmed in two Budget’s time when we will see how effective the policies have been. Economists and deep-thinking consultants, for the money they earn, have strong measured opinions. Furrowed brows confirming to us how the picture will emerge. But they don’t have a clue. Press a button, look at a software package and tell us the best and worse scenarios that is the best they can hope for…and then expect us to take them seriously. Have you noticed how few accountants have been prime ministers…they can’t do the numbers. So just get on with your life. Pay your accountant well and keep your business moving forward. We have our own Treasurer, our accountant, who ensures we do the right things and contribute to society.

The Interview: Kerry Hodges, ADA Bendigo Factory Manager

What is your role at ADA’s Bendigo Factory, and what does this entail? My role as Bendigo Factory Manager requires me to oversee all aspects of production. This includes staff, skills, cutting, equipment, quality , continuous improvement opportunities, safety and anything to ensure our commitments to the customer are met. The factory makes protective apparel for many services and businesses throughout Australian and beyond. It is a huge responsibility due to our diverse customer base – we provide to Australian Defence Force, New Zealand Defence Force, New South Wales Health, Victoria Ambulance, Victoria Police, NSW Police, QLD Fire and Emergency Services, QLD Police, WA Fire and Emergency Services, Victoria Country Fire Authority, Victoria Country Fire volunteers, NSW Wildlands Fire, Toll, Energex, to name a few. What opportunities for career development and growth have you been provided with during your time at ADA? There have been so many opportunities that have been provided to me. I started as a sower in 1988, and then moved into the quality side of production, which involved implementing an accredited Quality System. From there I moved into a supervisory tole, before moving into managing the Bendigo Production Facility. What are the biggest challenges you have faced in the manufacturing industry? Skill shortages is one of the biggest. We lost valuable skillsets when a lot of the companies took their manufacturing offshore. Where I grew up, the area was a thriving sewing manufacturing hub, with businesses such as Stafford Ellison, John Brown, Lacoste, Adidas, and other smaller businesses in operation. Following their closure, people looked at other fields to move into, therefore education and courses on offer were extremely limited and the industry suffered. We were incredibly lucky at that point in time the Australian Defence Apparel (formerly known as Australian Government Clothing Factory) was looking […]

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FSC bolsters environmental capacity and expands into site investigation services

FSC has announced a boost of its suite of environmental engineering services with a focus on providing high-quality, commercially minded and site specific, site investigation services to primarily construction and property managing clients. FSC is a multi-disciplinary design, engineering, project management and environmental consultancy. FSC has a fresh approach to engineering and is proud to be a people-first company. Their team is experienced in small and large projects, and are brought together through shared passion for sustainable, safe project planning and delivery. In launching its site investigation service, FSC has appointed two experienced environmental consultants, Souzy Melahridis and Ben Bratcher. Souzy is an experienced environmental consultant and scientist with experience in undertaking an array of environmental investigations and contaminated land management as well as managing environmental and occupational health risks on major infrastructure projects. Ben is an experienced project manager and environmental consultant, with a background in the management of both intermediate and large-scale projects at various stages. Ben has joined FSC after working primarily in risk management, with experience environmental site investigations and due diligence assessments. Site investigations involve the identification of environmental liabilities through a combination of desktop and intrusive investigation works and are often the keystone first step in environmental due diligence. Our site investigation team can devise the best investigation and remediation strategies to meet the needs of the project. “Strengthening our team with site investigation experience was the natural next step for FSC,” said Stuart Twelftree, general manager of FSC Enviro. This announcement comes as 2023 is shaping up as an exciting year for FSC. Along with a recent geographic diversification into Brisbane, FSC has continued to grow its existing service lines with total staff numbers across FSC Group now 70.

Patients to benefit from regenerative implants on Protheses List

Patients will be able to more readily access the innovative technology of an Australian-Singaporean regenerative implants company, thanks to the inclusion of its products into the Protheses List next month. Osteopore’s regenerative implants empower natural tissue regeneration, using 3D-printed bioresorbable implants whereby a scaffold guides a damaged or broken bone to regrow naturally. All of the company’s products currently TGA listed for use under the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG), will be formally included into the Prostheses List on November 25th. The Australian Prostheses List identifies implantable devices eligible for reimbursement from all private health insurance funds. This requirement is set out in the Private Health Insurance Act 2007. Osteopore Executive Chairman, Mark Leong said being incorporated into the Prostheses List ensured all Australians with private healthcare coverage could be reimbursed for Osteopore products. “Doctors and surgeons are able to choose the best available devices for privately insured patients as covered by all the individual healthcare insurance funds, and we believe our products are some of the best available on the market,” said Mr Leong. “Demand for medical devices has been growing due to population ageing, chronic health conditions and the introduction of new technologies. We are very happy to be included onto the Australian Prostheses List as we can provide our implants to patients with private healthcare insurance at a fully reimbursed price.” “Australian doctors are increasingly looking for products that work with the body’s natural regenerative capabilities and replacing like with like, rather than having to rely on artificial replacement parts or some bone grafts.” “Our solution is not only viable but can offer a better, safer and more reliable alternative to existing permanent implant technologies, providing a platform for lower potential complications and medical costs.” The list is an essential part of the private health insurance […]

Farmer John stumps the doubters with international technology success

Another Australian farmer is following in the footsteps of the inventors of the stump-jump plough by achieving international renown for his ingenuity for down-to-earth solutions for problems encountered by producers globally. Queensland farmer John Bucknell’s hydraulic bolts are now used around the world in applications such as nuclear reactors, boilers, turbines and mining and energy equipment where speed, accuracy and even, precise fastening of multiple sets of bolts is required. The idea originally stemmed from his desire to find a quicker and more secure way to fasten bolts used to tighten gang bolts on large disc ploughs on his family’s property near Nindigully, Queensland (about 500km west of Brisbane). Just like brothers Richard and Clarence Smith of Yorke Peninsula who invented the stump jump plough in 1876 to allow farmers to cultivate land without removing rocks and stumps, John used his disc plough to break in new country, ready for production, after his father converted the property from grazing to agricultural production, predominantly wheat. A better disc plough solution At the time, disc ploughs used scalloped discs mounted in gangs turning in order to chop up the ground. But these were prone to breaking if they encountered a stone, stump, or other obstacle. To replace them involved using a sledgehammer to loosen and tighten the large nut of the centre shaft of the gang. The whole gang had to be taken to replace broken discs, then the whole assembly had to be rebuilt once it was fixed… only for the plough to hit another obstacle 100 metres on, and the time-consuming process had to start again. Frustrated by this laborious process, he developed sets of hydraulic nuts and bolts to do the job of fastening and unfastening disc assemblies simultaneously, far faster and more securely than the old way of twisting […]

Four easy ways to make your office greener

As more businesses choose to go green and be environmentally responsible, the process can seem a little overwhelming given the plethora of greening solutions. Below are four easy ways to go green in the office, and save money and achieve efficiencies in the process. 1.Eliminate the printing of forms We are all too familiar with filling in office forms. Typically, these are often supplied in a paper format, and completed and signed manually before being returned to their point of origin. The process is both time and resource intensive. According to the National Waste Report 2020, prepared for Australia’s Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment by Blue Environment Pty Ltd, 5.9 Megatonnes of paper and cardboard waste was generated between 2018-2019 in Australia.1 Paper manufacturing leads to deforestation, increased carbon emissions and climate change. The use of paper can also be operationally expensive for firms. Apart from the cost of the paper itself, once the completed paper forms have been processed, they are usually assigned to the inevitable – filing cabinets and storage facilities – which add to operational costs. Software solutions however, can eliminate the need for paper forms and help your office go green. Common software programs such as Microsoft’s Word allow you to quickly and easily create digital forms. Better still, software solutions such as Kofax Power PDF, let you convert the form into a PDF for greater flexibility and collaboration. Power PDF even converts images into fillable PDF forms. Colleagues can then easily access the PDF form to quickly complete details, highlight data, or leave comments. And the software’s inbuilt digital signature capability lets businesses capture signatures electronically. What’s more, the forms can then be filed electronically and also integrated directly into document management systems. This negates the need for filing cabinets and physical storage […]

Using Cloud ERP to mitigate sourcing challenges in procurement

By Paulo De Matos, Chief Product Officer, SYSPRO Manufacturers continue to face challenges like increased demand, enduring labour shortages and rising direct material costs. Buying better is also simply not enough and manufacturers will now need to answer the call for sustainability in ethical sourcing and focus on investing in supplier partnerships and innovation by accelerating the adoption of digital and analytics. Previously procurement strategies were driven by cost-reduction, low-cost sourcing and relied on single-sourced suppliers, with limited risk management. Now manufacturers have had to reset and focus on digitalisation for strategic sourcing to improve operations and ensure profitability. As industries are working towards rebuilding their supply chains to be more robust, collaborative, and accessible, some procurement strategies are likely to include: The diversification of supply chains by collaborating with local suppliers, developing new delivery strategies, and sourcing from multiple vendors Improved systems for automated procurement and traceability to ensure ethical sourcing Focusing on supplier relationship management strategies Here’s how manufacturers can use cloud ERP to manage current sourcing challenges and maintain competitive advantage: Repositioning the supply chain for strategic sourcing Manufacturers are now having to balance the trade-offs around cost versus risk. Is it still best to find the cheapest raw materials by sourcing overseas and accept the heightened risk of non-delivery? Reports also show the cost of shipping increased by 600 percent in 2021 and the impacts in shipping delays and bottlenecks are widespread globally. Manufacturers should consider repositioning their supply bases by shortening their supply chains and consider dual sourcing strategies to mitigate risk. Through a supply chain portal enabled by a cloud ERP system, manufacturers can obtain increased connectivity and visibility across the supply chain, which allows them to identify alternative sources of supply more easily. With cloud ERP, analytics can be used to improve, classify, […]

Young Talented Male and Female Engineers In a Modern Laboratory Discussing Prototype built with the Help of 3D Printer.

RS PRO & Engineers without Borders partner to launch student competition

RS PRO & Engineers Without Borders Australia (EWB) are running a student competition with a strong focus on environmental, sustainability and social impacts. A call out is being undertaken for university students/groups currently working on engineering projects who want to take their ideas to the next level. RS PRO and Engineers Without Borders Australia are asking these students/groups to enter their concepts into the competition. The prizes are one of five product packs worth $3,000 which includes RS PRO components, tools, and accessories tailored to the project. The five winners will be announced later in the year and entries open early September. The competition criteria include: Socio-technical skills. Sustainable design skills, including the environmental, economic and social impacts. The demonstration of effective communication skills through the design pitch application and outline the teamwork skills of the project. A demonstration of how the fund will help the entrant achieve social, economic, and environmental impacts. Scott Philbrook, Managing Director ANZ for RS, the parent company of RS PRO, says he is looking to support future generations of engineers through programs like this. “The last two years has been a strange and stressful year for the evolution of design and engineering in many sectors,” He said. “The opportunity to submit your concept and potentially be given the tools to build the project is a kick-start for any entrant into 2023. The sustainable and environmental criteria is commensurate with current expectations in the industries applicable to these projects.” Entries are open now and the deadline is Monday 31st October, 11:59pm (AEST). To be eligible you must be aged 18 or over living in Australia & NZ and enrolled in a full or part-time university-level academic, engineering, or technology-related programme. To enter or for more information visit https://au.rs-online.com/web/content/m/rs-pro-student-fund

Australian EV truck manufacturer doubles assembly capacity

Electric truck manufacturer SEA Electric has extended its commitment to the Australian market by doubling the size of its local assembly facility for zero-emission trucks in the Melbourne suburb of Dandenong. The company leads the world in terms of a comprehensive range of highly adaptable electric truck options, with its present plant expanding to now cover 8,000m2 on a total site of 15,000m2, giving SEA Electric the capacity to produce eight trucks per day, or up to 2,080 units per annum. Founded in Australia in 2012, SEA Electric released its first electric commercial products in 2017, while last year it launched its new range of medium and heavy-duty electric cab chassis models, distributed and supported by an extensive dealership network. “Australia doesn’t need to search the world to attract EV manufacturers – SEA Electric is proud to be a global leader in commercial eMobility technology, homegrown here in Victoria,” said Tony Fairweather, SEA Electric Founder and CEO. “Since launching our new range last year, we have attracted incredible interest from a wide cross-section of leading companies and government bodies, who seek to improve their environmental sustainability, despite a lack of policy and incentives to fuel growth in the sector on these shores. “The recent change of Federal Government and the subsequent increase in EV activity, has provided SEA Electric with renewed confidence that appropriate policy and incentives maybe close. There are many examples of successful policy in EV progressive countries such as the US that we should simply emulate. “Despite Australian passenger car production wrapping up in 2017, we still have vibrant engineering, development, and manufacturing capabilities, of which we should be proud.” SEA Electric’s existing facility has for the past 12 months enjoyed the benefits of a 100kW rooftop solar array, […]

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