< News Time for a Summer Software Deal? 1 Dec 2023 It's December, and many Australian businesses will soon start winding down ahead of well-deserved holidays.But did you know, this can also be a great time to negotiate a sweet deal on an enterprise software solution?Much of the world's enterprise software is sold by US-based companies, who follow a calendar accounting year. December is the final month for them to achieve their full-year sales targets, stretch bonuses, etc . So: strike while the iron - and season - is hot... Use your negotiating advantage to squeeze a special deal on that new software solution you've been eyeing.Of course, if that solution happens to be GoAnywhere MFT - the world's leading Managed File Transfer solution - then reach out to me, and we can apply the summer squeeze together! 😉 Previous Next

< News Re-Evaluating Your MFT in Today’s Multi Threat Landscape 14 July 2026 For years, Managed File Transfer (MFT) platforms sat quietly in the background of enterprise infrastructure. If files moved reliably, audits passed, and nothing caught fire, most teams barely thought about them. That era is over. The security landscape has shifted, and organisations are now scrutinising their MFT environments with a level of urgency that didn’t exist a few years ago. Even long‑established deployments are being re‑evaluated because the risk profile around file movement has fundamentally changed. MFT now sits at the crossroads of sensitive data flows, external connections, automated business processes, and partner ecosystems. If something goes wrong, the impact isn’t isolated - it ripples across critical workflows. From “It Works” to “It’s Secure” Historically, MFT decisions were shaped by checklists: supported protocols, file size limits, compliance requirements. Security was often bolted on later through hardening guides, compensating controls, or operational workarounds. That mindset belonged to a time when file transfer was treated as plumbing rather than an attack surface. High‑profile breaches, zero‑day disclosures, and organisations forced into emergency migrations have changed the conversation. Security teams are now asking sharper questions: How quickly can we update or patch when a new vulnerability drops? Does staying current require major operational effort? Do we have meaningful visibility, or just endless logs? Are we relying on trust‑based controls, or a zero‑trust model that continuously evaluates risk? Teams are moving away from reactive “detect and respond” approaches and toward platforms built for prevention, resilience, and clarity. Continuous Hardening One of the biggest shifts underway is the recognition that MFT hardening must be continuous. The rise of zero‑day vulnerabilities has made “set‑and‑forget” security impossible. Security leaders now expect MFT platforms to make hardening practical - not fragile, risky, or dependent on heroic manual effort. Effective hardening today includes: Strong encryption and secure architectural foundations Upgrading and patching approaches that minimise disruption Controls that are easy to validate and maintain Documentation and tooling that support long‑term operational security When patching becomes painful, teams delay it. When teams delay it, vulnerabilities linger. Customer Insights Across customer conversations and market feedback, several themes appear consistently. 1. Patching and Upgrade Friction Platforms that require heavy coordination or major time=consuming upgrades to address vulnerabilities are losing favour. Frequent CVEs and zero‑days become operational risks when patching is slow or complex. 2. Visibility That Actually Helps Raw logs aren’t enough. Teams want clear, actionable insight into file activity - especially during incidents. If understanding what happened requires deep product expertise, response slows at the worst possible moment. 3. Security Must Scale With Automation File movement is increasingly automated and high‑volume. Manual investigation doesn’t scale. Teams need platforms that reduce noise, suppress low‑value alerts, and highlight genuine anomalies early. Contextual threat intelligence applied at the file‑transfer layer is becoming essential. Security‑First MFT Platforms These pressures are reshaping how organisations evaluate MFT. The question is no longer “Can we secure it?” but “Was it designed for security from day one? Security‑first platforms typically offer: Patching/upgrading approaches which encourage staying current by being fast and easy Clear visibility into activity and risk Built‑in mechanisms to reduce alert fatigue Architectures that support long‑term hardening This shift is redefining customer requirements and the broader MFT market. Turning Evaluation Into Confidence Modern MFT purchase decisions are about trust and resilience - more than just features. Organisations want platforms that can withstand real‑world pressure, not just pass a checklist. For teams reassessing their MFT environment, this moment represents an opportunity. By prioritising hardening, operational clarity, and security‑first design, organisations can reduce risk, simplify operations, and avoid the painful surprises that have become all too common. Local Expertise At Generic Systems Australia, we’re Australia’s and New Zealand’s deep local experts in MFT. As one of Fortra’s top ten MFT partners globally, we have many years of experience helping organisations from small to multinational deploy and gain maximum commercial advantage from the world’s leading MFT, GoAnywhere. GoAnywhere is built from the ground up for security. That includes real-time threat monitoring and responsiveness, and quick-and-easy, non-disruptive maintenance. Let me know if you’d like to learn more. Previous Next

< News Accountability Gap Creates Cyber Risk 22 Oct 2024 New research has revealed a concerning gap in accountability for cyber security in many Australian organisations. Security firm Trend Micro polled 100 Australian IT leaders to better understand their attitudes toward Attack Surface Risk Management. They found that most organisations lacked clear leadership buy-in and sufficient resources to measure and mitigate cyber risks. The top three gaps in cyber resilience were: Insufficient staffing for round-the-clock cybersecurity coverage. Inadequate techniques to measure and manage attack surface risks. Not using proven regulatory and other frameworks, such as the NIST Cybersecurity Framework. Only 37% of those surveyed said their organisation had satisfactorily closed each of these exposures. The buck stops… nowhere? Seeking root causes for unclosed gaps in organisational cyber resilience, Trend found that the failures could be traced back to a lack of leadership and accountability at the top of the organisation. More than a third of respondents claimed their leadership didn’t consider cybersecurity to be their responsibility. When asked who does or should hold responsibility for mitigating business risk, respondents gave a variety of answers, indicating a lack of clarity on reporting lines. Nearly a third (32%) said the buck stopped with organisational IT teams. Trend spokesperson, Srujan Talakokkula, said the “lack of clear leadership on cybersecurity, can have a paralysing effect on an organisation, leading to reactive, piecemeal and erratic decision making”. “A lot of that comes down to collaboration and communication across the business,” he said. “Companies need CISOs to clearly communicate in terms of business risk to engage their boards. “Ideally, they should have a single source of truth across the attack surface from which to share updates with the board, continually monitor risk, and automatically remediate issues for enhanced cyber-resilience,” he added. ASIC Cracking Down Trend’s warning comes on the heels of reports that Australia’s corporate regulator is preparing legal actions against some company directors for their lack of governance relating to cyberattacks. ASIC has previously cautioned directors that they need to prepare for hacks, and that sanctions would be applied to those who didn’t. They told The Australian Financial Review that companies wouldn’t get away with paying lip service to cyber defence and must provide evidence they had performed their duties if their organisation was breached by cybercriminals. “With one cyberattack reported every six minutes in Australia, ASIC’s message for directors is to make sure your organisations have appropriate cybersecurity measures in place – this is your responsibility,” a spokesperson said. Not just “an IT Issue” ASIC’s heightened investigations show that cyber security is no longer a fringe issue that can be relegated to technical staff. However, a survey of in-house lawyers by Herbert Smith Freehills recently found many boards are not yet engaged on the topic of cyber resilience. 58% said it would take an actual cyberattack to motivate their organisation to meaningfully improve their data risk management. Owning and managing the risk Rather than letting cyber resilience slip between the cracks in org charts, directors need to put cyber resilience at the top of their companies’ board agendas. Executive management should be requested to report on the measures and investments they’re making to keep cyber thieves at bay. A Managed File Transfer (MFT) solution such as the class-leading GoAnywhere MFT can encrypt data at rest and in transit, complying with the highest data security standards. It manages inbound and outbound file transfers across an organisation, using industry-standard file transfer protocols and encryption to protect data in transit and at rest. Advanced Threat Protection and Adaptive Loss Prevention add a further layer of defence. SFT Threat Protection enables safe collaboration with external parties, preventing malware from entering an organisation, and reducing the risk of employees losing or mishandling sensitive data. Local Experts On Hand Generic Systems Australia are local experts in Managed File Transfer and Advanced Threat Protection. We’ve assisted hundreds of organisations across the Asia-Pacific region to secure their data and keep cybercriminals at bay. If you’d like to discuss how we can help improve your company’s cybersecurity, please feel welcome to contact me , Bradley Copson. I’m always happy to have an obligation-free discussion, explain how simply we can transition you from outdated software and approaches, and offer you a zero-cost Proof of Concept. Previous Next

About Generic Systems Australia Your local experts in Secure Managed File Transfer Technology Our Story We are independent experts in data transfer - more than just software suppliers. Our curated suite of industry-leading solutions, coupled with our unparalleled experience and expertise, have made us the Asia-Pacific region’s most trusted partners in secure Managed File Transfer technologies. Founded in 1993, we’re proud to count among our clients some of the region’s most iconic brands. Leveraging our unique skills and readily available local support, they rely on us to optimise their IT systems, hone their business processes and integrate their supply chains. A long-term partner of Fortra (formerly Help Systems, and Linoma Software, the original authors of GoAnywhere MFT), we’ve been the Asia-Pacific's regional distributor of the industry leading GoAnywhere MFT suite since 2007. Our in depth understanding of the product’s Advanced Workflows , data translation, auditing and compliance, automation and security enables us to rapidly devise optimal solutions, provide rapid Proofs of Concept, and move ahead quickly with implementation. We have exclusively managed APAC deployments for some of the largest multinational corporations, Government departments and small- to medium-sized businesses as well. Our local technical support service provides our clients with the reassurance that local help will always be on-hand. Generic Systems Australia is a values-led organisation. Our long-term commitment to doing business ethically, being the absolute best at what we do, and keeping our customers’ needs always at the fore, is the foundation of our enduring success. Our company was founded on that principle 30 years ago and continues to this day. If you’re exploring how to boost your efficiency and bottom line by leveraging Secure Managed File Transfer technology, reach out to our Business Manager, Bradley Copson, for an obligation-free discussion. Our People Bradley Copson Business Manager Expert in enhancing organisational effectiveness and efficiency through Managed File Transfer technologies. "My understanding of contemporary business challenges, coupled with my early career experience leading IT operations and support functions, enable me to advise clients from a perspective that’s both business-minded and IT-pragmatic. “By approaching each engagement ethically, assigning technical experts who consistently deliver professional services of the highest quality, and keeping my client’s best interests always at the fore, I’ve been entrusted with opportunities to manage many of our region’s most iconic brands.” Simon Kuenstner Solutions Architect Managed File Transfer Expert "Three decades of experience as a solutions architect enable me to quickly chart a course through any maze of legacy systems and manual processes, to design and implement secure MFT solutions which empower clients to work smarter, smoother and more efficiently. "I love to explore with clients how GoAnywhere can be used in new ways to further boost their business’s bottom line.” Schedule a call with us today!

Generic Systems Australia is an authorised GoAnywhere MFT reseller providing secure managed file transfer software to Australian and New Zealand organisations. GoAnywhere MFT automates file transfers, supports SFTP, AS2, AS3, AS4, HTTPS and all major protocols, and meets HIPAA, PCI-DSS and Privacy Act compliance requirements. GoAnywhere MFT: Secure Managed File Transfer for Australian & NZ Organisations GoAnywhere MFT is a secure managed file transfer (MFT) solution which automates the exchange of data between systems, employees, customers, and trading partners. Generic Systems Australia (GSA) is an authorised GoAnywhere MFT reseller and support partner, providing Australian & NZ organisations with local implementation, professional services, training, and technical support. GoAnywhere MFT consolidates file transfer, workflow automation, encryption, audit logging, and compliance reporting into a single platform — eliminating the need for multiple point solutions and risky custom scripts. Request a Demo What Is GoAnywhere MFT? How Can GoAnywhere MFT Be Deployed? GoAnywhere MFT is an enterprise-grade managed file transfer platform that replaces manual file transfer processes, FTP scripts, and single-function tools with a centralised, secure, and automated solution. It is developed by Fortra (formerly HelpSystems) and is recognised by independent analysts and G2 as the leading MFT solution for mid-market and enterprise organisations. The platform manages all aspects of secure data movement — including batch server-to-server transfers, ad-hoc user-to-system transfers, and person-to-person file collaboration — through a single browser-based interface. Workflows can be scheduled, triggered by events, or initiated on demand. GoAnywhere MFT offers four deployment options to suit different infrastructure requirements: On-premises — installed and managed within your own data centre Self-Hosted Cloud — hosted on Microsoft Azure or Amazon Web Services (AWS) MFTaaS — fully managed file transfer as a service, with no infrastructure overhead Hybrid — a combination of on-premises and cloud environments GoAnywhere MFT runs on Windows, Linux (Red Hat, SUSE, Ubuntu), IBM i (iSeries), IBM AIX, and Mac OS X platforms. GoAnywhere MFT has repeatedly achieved the leadership ranking in Info-Tech Research Group’s SoftwareReviews Data Quadrant reports and rankings across multiple years. It is also recognised by G2 as the best MFT solution for mid-market and enterprise use. What Are the Key Features of GoAnywhere MFT? GoAnywhere MFT includes built-in workflow automation that enables IT teams to design, schedule, and manage multi-step file transfer processes without custom scripting. Workflows are configured via an easy-to-use graphic drag-and-drop interface and can be triggered on a schedule, by file events, or via API call. This eliminates manual file handling and reduces the risk of transfer errors. GoAnywhere MFT logs all file transfer activity in a centralised database, creating a complete audit trail that satisfies regulatory requirements. The platform supports compliance with HIPAA, PCI-DSS, GDPR, ISO 27001, and the Australian Privacy Act. Audit logs can be viewed in the dashboard or automatically distributed as PDF reports. More than twenty-five types of management reports are available through the Advanced Reporting module. All file transfers are protected using industry-standard encryption. GoAnywhere MFT supports AES-256 encryption for files at rest and TLS in transit. The platform includes a built-in Key Management System out of the box, providing centralized Open PGP key management, SSH key management, and SSL certificate management without requiring third-party tools. GoAnywhere uses FIPS 140-2 validated encryption and supports a DMZ Reverse Proxy (Gateway) to keep files within the internal network. GoAnywhere MFT is built with flexibility at its core. It supports a wide range of file transfer protocols, operating systems, and deployment models to fit virtually any organisational environment. Whether deployed on-premises, in the cloud, or in a hybrid configuration, GoAnywhere adapts to existing infrastructure rather than requiring organisations to reshape their environment around the tool. It supports transfers across Windows, Linux, and cloud storage platforms such as AWS S3, Azure Blob Storage, and Google Cloud Storage, giving teams the freedom to move data wherever it needs to go. This agility means GoAnywhere MFT can serve as a unifying file transfer hub across diverse and geographically distributed IT environments, replacing the fragmented mix of point solutions that many organisations currently rely on.  GoAnywhere MFT supports a comprehensive range of transfer protocols including SFTP, SCP, FTP, FTPS, HTTP, HTTPS, PeSIT, AS2, AS3, AS4, ICAP, SMB, CIFS, SMTP, POP3, IMAP, Amazon S3, and WebDAV. This means your trading partners can connect using whichever standard protocol they already use — no special software required on their end. GoAnywhere MFT connects natively to popular cloud platforms and applications including Microsoft Azure Blob Storage, Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2, Amazon S3, Box, Google Drive, and SharePoint. Cloud Connectors provide out-of-the-box integration without custom development. The platform also integrates with databases (SQL Server, Oracle, MySQL, PostgreSQL, IBM i, DB2, Amazon Aurora, Azure SQL, and others) and supports REST, SOAP, and Java/.NET integrations. GoAnywhere MFT supports active-active clustering for high availability and load balancing without requiring third-party software. Organisations can horizontally scale by adding nodes to the cluster. Automatic failover ensures continuity in the event of a system failure. Job queues and run priorities allow workflow jobs to be organised by criticality. All file transfer activity — including workflow configuration, trading partner management, user administration, and monitoring — is managed through a single browser-based dashboard. Administrators can be assigned role-based permissions with custom dashboards. MFT agents extend centralised administration to remote systems. GoAnywhere MFT's interface uses graphical forms and drag-and-drop controls for workflow configuration, eliminating the need for scripting knowledge. Trading partner onboarding is guided by intuitive wizards. The dashboard is fully customisable and displays critical statistics and transfer activity in real time GoAnywhere MFT scales with your organisation’s growth - without imposing the prohibitive cost increases typically incurred on competing platforms. Unlike competing MFT solutions that charge on a per-seat or per-connection basis - causing licensing costs to spiral as trading partner networks and user counts grow – GoAnywhere MFT's Server/Node pricing model is structured to remain predictable and manageable as organisations scale. Operational savings are significant: automation eliminates countless hours of manual file handling, monitoring, and error remediation that IT teams would otherwise spend on routine transfer tasks. GoAnywhere MFT’s total cost of ownership is further strengthened by its breadth of built-in capabilities, which reduce or eliminates the need for supplementary tools and costly professional services engagements. Its no-code workflow automation enables you to build and maintain sophisticated transfer processes using existing staff rather than hiring specialists or engaging vendors. Customers consistently report that GoAnywhere pays for itself rapidly - not only through direct cost reductions but through the business value unlocked by faster, more reliable data exchange with partners, suppliers, and customers. Which Compliance Standards Does GoAnywhere MFT Support? GoAnywhere MFT is designed to help organisations meet a wide range of data security and privacy regulations, including: HIPAA — Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (healthcare data protection) PCI-DSS — Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (payment data security) GDPR — General Data Protection Regulation (European data privacy) ISO 27001 — International standard for information security management Australian Privacy Act 1988 — Including the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) SOC 2 — Service Organisation Control reporting for data security Compliance is supported through centralised audit logging, role-based access controls, FIPS 140-2 validated encryption, automated reporting, and configurable data retention policies. Why Choose Generic Systems Australia for GoAnywhere MFT? Generic Systems Australia (GSA) is an authorised GoAnywhere MFT reseller and specialist support partner, serving Australian and NZ organisations across finance, healthcare, government, logistics, and manufacturing sectors for more than 17 years. GSA provides: Australian-based 24/7 technical support — including direct mobile access to key support personnel for after-hours emergencies Local implementation and configuration services GoAnywhere MFT product training and consulting Migration services from legacy file transfer systems Annual upgrade and health check services Connector development services for custom integrations GSA's team holds deep expertise in GoAnywhere MFT and the broader managed file transfer landscape, ensuring Australian and NZ organisations receive implementation and support that accounts for local compliance requirements, time zones, and business practices. GSA’s unparalleled expertise and experience deploying GoAnywhere MFT has made it one of Fortra’s top ten partners globally. GoAnywhere MFT — Frequently Asked Questions What is GoAnywhere MFT? GoAnywhere MFT is a secure managed file transfer platform developed by Fortra that automates data movement between systems, employees, customers, and trading partners. It provides encryption, workflow automation, audit logging, and compliance support through a single browser-based interface. Generic Systems Australia is Australia’s most experienced and long-term authorised GoAnywhere MFT reseller providing local implementation and support to Australian and New Zealand organisations. Is GoAnywhere MFT suitable for enterprise use? Yes. GoAnywhere MFT is designed for enterprise environments and provides active-active high availability clustering, role-based access controls, FIPS 140-2 validated AES encryption, support for all major protocols (SFTP, AS2, HTTPS, PeSIT, and more), multi-step workflow automation, API and database integration, and centralised audit logging. It is used by organisations in banking, healthcare, government, logistics, and manufacturing. Which file transfer protocols does GoAnywhere MFT support? GoAnywhere MFT supports SFTP, SCP, FTP, FTPS, HTTPS, AS2, AS3, AS4, and PeSIT for secure file transfers with trading partners. It also connects to network shares (SMB/CIFS), Amazon S3 and Azure Blob cloud storage, WebDAV, REST and SOAP web services, email servers (SMTP, POP3, IMAP), and ICAP servers for antivirus and DLP scanning. Trading partners can connect using any standard protocol they already use — no special software is required on their end. Which compliance regulations does GoAnywhere MFT support? GoAnywhere MFT supports compliance with HIPAA, PCI-DSS, GDPR, ISO 27001, SOC 2, and the Australian Privacy Act 1988. Compliance is achieved through centralised audit logging, role-based access controls, FIPS 140-2 validated encryption, and automated compliance reporting. Does GoAnywhere MFT require software to be installed on every server it connects to? No. GoAnywhere MFT connects to SFTP servers, FTP/S servers, HTTP servers, database servers, and mail servers over TCP/IP using standard protocols, with no additional software required. The optional GoAnywhere Agent service can be installed on connected systems to extend automation capabilities and improve transfer speeds by 20–30% compared to network share connections. Does GoAnywhere MFT have an API? Yes. GoAnywhere MFT provides REST APIs and command-line interfaces that let external applications and scripts trigger workflows, manage users, and automate file transfer operations. Which cloud platforms does GoAnywhere MFT integrate with? GoAnywhere MFT integrates natively with Microsoft Azure (Blob Storage, ADLS Gen2, Active Directory), Amazon Web Services (S3, Aurora), Box, Google Drive, Google Cloud Storage and SharePoint. Cloud Connectors provide out-of-the-box integration without custom development. Which databases can GoAnywhere MFT connect to? GoAnywhere MFT connects to SQL Server, Oracle, MySQL, MariaDB, IBM i, DB2, PostgreSQL, Amazon Aurora, Azure SQL, Derby, Informix, and any database with a compatible JDBC 2.0 driver. It can read, insert, update, and delete records using standard SQL statements as part of automated workflows. Which file formats does GoAnywhere MFT support? GoAnywhere MFT reads and writes Excel, CSV, fixed-width text, flat files, XML, and JSON. It includes ETL functions for data transformation, mapping, and formatting as part of workflow execution. Can GoAnywhere MFT be used in a VMware virtual environment? Yes. GoAnywhere MFT is a VMware Elite Technology Alliance Partner product and has been awarded the VMware Ready logo, confirming it has been tested and verified in VMware virtualised environments. Is a free trial of GoAnywhere MFT available? Yes. A fully functional trial of GoAnywhere MFT is available so you can evaluate its capabilities within your own environment. Contact Generic Systems Australia to arrange a trial or request a demonstration. What support does Generic Systems Australia provide for GoAnywhere MFT? Generic Systems Australia provides 24/7 technical support, with direct mobile access to key support personnel for after-hours emergencies. GSA also offers implementation and configuration services, product training, integration consulting, migration assistance from legacy systems, and annual upgrade and health check services. On which operating systems can GoAnywhere MFT be installed? GoAnywhere MFT can be installed on Windows, Linux (Red Hat, SUSE, Ubuntu), IBM i (iSeries), IBM AIX, IBM z (Mainframe), HP-UX, Solaris, and Mac OS X. How Does GoAnywhere MFT Compare to Other MFT Solutions? GoAnywhere MFT is consistently ranked among the top managed file transfer solutions by independent analysts. Key differentiators include: All-In-One Platform: GoAnywhere MFT replaces multiple tools (SFTP and FTP servers, PGP tools, scheduling scripts, audit systems) with a single solution, reducing complexity and licensing cost. No-Code Workflow Automation: Workflows are configured graphically, without scripting, making GoAnywhere MFT accessible to a broader range of IT staff than developer-centric alternatives. Native Clustering: Active-active high availability clustering is built in and requires no third-party clustering software. Protocol Breadth: Support for AS2, AS3, AS4, and PeSIT alongside standard protocols gives GoAnywhere MFT broader B2B integration capability than many alternatives. Independent Recognition: Highest composite score in Info-Tech Research Group's MFT category reports for many years; recognised by G2 as a leading MFT solution. Local Support: Australian organisations receive local support via telephone and email, rather than needing to rely on offshore vendor helpdesks, time zones and knowledge bases. Get Started with GoAnywhere MFT Request a Demo Generic Systems Australia provides Australian and New Zealand organisations with GoAnywhere MFT licensing, implementation, integration, and ongoing support. To arrange a demonstration or discuss your file transfer requirements, contact our team directly.

< News The Hardest Question About Your Organisation’s Cybersecurity 18 June 2024 It’s the question every IT manager dreads. “How did you let this happen?!” And the worst time to be asked it is after your organisation has become the latest victim of a cybercrime. Here’s how to avoid it ever being asked… Anxiety Rising Boardroom anxiety about the protection of customer data has been growing across the country. High profile incidents such as the ransomware attacks on Optus and Medibank Private have sensitised the senior leaders to both the risks and costs of negligence. CEOs and CIOs are being quizzed: “Is our organisation doing enough to avoid becoming the next negative headline?” Incidents Rising The most recent report by the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) showed that cyber attacks are happening far more frequently. On average, a new report is received every six minutes - a 23% increase year on year. One in 5 critical vulnerabilities was exploited within a mere 48 hours. The ASD warned that cybercriminals are constantly evolving their operations against Australian organisations, fuelled by a global industry of access brokers and extortionists. Thousands of businesses failed to fulfil their obligation to protect sensitive customer data, and millions of Australians had their information leaked on the dark web. Costs Rising Also troubling the C-suite is that the costs to businesses of “cyber negligence” are escalating rapidly. The ASD says the cost of cybercrime to businesses has increased by 14% compared to the previous financial year. However, direct financial losses are just one part of the broader costs of “cyber negligence”. For example, Medibank Private’s share price plunged more than 20% in the weeks following its loss of the personal information of 9.7m Australians. The company is facing class actions by both shareholders and consumers alleging breaches of the company’s duty of care to protect consumer information, manage risks and make timely disclosures to shareholders. Optus Communications saw its customer growth halved after its systems were breached. A class action by Slater and Gordon alleges that “Optus failed to protect, or take reasonable steps to protect, the personal information of its current and former customers”. In response to rising consumer concerns, Australia’s Attorney-General, Mark Dreyfus, has flagged “better laws to regulate how companies manage the huge amount of data they collect, and bigger penalties to incentivise better behaviour”. Reflecting the growing risks and costs of cybercrime, cyber insurance premiums are also rising. Email: the Critical Vulnerability According to the Australian Signals Directorate, Business Email Compromise (BEC) remains a key vector for conducting cybercrime. A form of email fraud, cybercriminals target organisations and scam them out of money or goods by tricking employees into revealing important business information, often by impersonating trusted senders. BEC can also involve a cybercriminal gaining access to a business email address and then sending out spear phishing emails to clients and customers for information or payment. IT Managers Stepping Up Responding to these trends, responsible IT Managers are increasingly focussed on preventing their organisations from becoming the next headline victim of cybercrime. In a survey conducted recently by Tenable, IT leaders said that, while the ability to respond to and recover from cyber incidents remained essential, they’re now focusing more on preventing such incidents altogether. The Best Answer to the Hard Question A proactive and layered strategy for storing, transferring and securing data is essential for keeping cyberthieves at bay. Secure managed file transfer, secure content engines, secure digital rights management, and employee education combine to create the optimal way to prevent data theft and cyber breaches. At Generic Systems Australia , we recommend the class-leading secure managed file transfer solution, GoAnywhere MFT , to keep data safe - at rest, and in transit. Coupled with our Advanced Threat Protection Bundle , we enable organisations to safely collaborate without exposing their systems to the risk of malware gaining a foothold within their IT systems. Seamless integration between GoAnywhere MFT and the Clearswift Secure ICAP Gateway provides anti-virus and malware protection, deep inspection of the content inspection, adaptive data loss prevention, and media type protection. Together, they provide three key defences. 1. Prevents file containing malware from being shared. GoAnywhere provides easy anti-virus protection through the Secure ICAP Gateway to scan all inbound file transfers. It can also detect and automatically strip out active content like embedded malware, triggered executables, scripts, or macros used to extract or hold sensitive data hostage. Advanced Threat Protection “sanitises” files and emails without delaying delivery, guarding against today's leading malware and ransomware (e.g. CryptoLocker, CryptoWall, TorrentLocker, Dridex Dyre, BlackEnergy, etc.) and tomorrow's even more sophisticated threat variants. 2. Blocks sensitive data from being shared. Files with Personal Identifiable Information or other sensitive data can be prevented from being transferred. GoAnywhere Threat Protection can inspect file contents, then stop and block files from being shared, based on policies you define. 3. Redacts sensitive information from files before transfer. Advanced Threat Protection can ensure sensitive data is neither transmitted nor received, detecting and/or removing geotags, document properties, email addresses, and other metadata from documents, and replacing sensitive text with asterisks. Using Optical Character Recognition, it can even remove text contained in scanned images. No question: 'Prevention' is Better than 'Cure' Cyber attacks are inevitable . However, falling victim to them is optional . If you’d like to learn more, and be able to comprehensively reassure your Board about the steps you’ve taken to protect your business’s data, reputation and bottom line, please feel welcome to get in touch with me, Bradley Copson ( mailto:bradley@gensys.com.au ). I’m always happy to have an obligation-free discussion, and even offer you a zero-cost Proof of Concept. At Generic Systems Australia , we’re your Local Experts in Secure Managed File Transfer. Previous Next

< News Aussie cyber staff “world’s most stressed”: survey 9 Oct 2024 Aussie cyber security workers are the world’s most stressed, according to a survey by international tech professional association ISACA. For its State of Cybersecurity 2024 report, ISACA surveyed 1,868 cyber security professionals from 102 countries, including Australia. They found that Australian cyber security workers are feeling more stressed in their jobs than their counterparts in any other country. Overly Complex, Under Resourced Respondents attributed the rising stress to Australia’s “increasingly complex threat landscape” and “continual under-resourcing” of their cyber security departments and roles. They reported lower budgets, higher hiring and retention challenges, and a more significant lack of prioritisation of cyber security risks than their global peers. Nearly half of all respondents believed their company’s cyber security budget was inadequate, and only a third expected it to be increased in the year ahead. As a result, most said they didn’t feel ready to combat the growing risk of a cyber-attack on their organisation. Burnout In a further worrying sign for Australian businesses, many cyber security professionals said the stress of their role had become so significant that they were considering moving on from their current organisation. Of those who had already left, 60% cited “stress” as the primary reason. ISACA’s Director of Professional Practices and Innovation, Jon Brandt, urged Australian employers to better mitigate the stress of their cyber defenders. “Employers (should) explore ways to support staff before burnout and attrition occur,” he said. ISACA said the increasing complexity of cyber attacks required additional effort, energy and intelligence from cyber professionals. It characterised the need to stay ahead of new technologies and digital weapons as “all-consuming”, and this explained why cyber pros in Australia were feeling the effects of increased stress in their roles. Most Australian respondents said they expected a cyber attack on their organisation during the next year. However, only 32% had a high degree of confidence in their team’s ability to detect and respond to the attack. Cyber Stress Relief Companies can take some of the load off their beleaguered cyber security staff by adopting automated, proactive and layered cyber defences. The goal is an always-on system which automatically secures, stores and transfers data, repelling cyberthieves before they gain access to company systems. The foundation of such an approach is a technology called “Managed File Transfer” (MFT). Paired with secure content engines and secure digital rights management, MFT is an optimal way to prevent data theft and cyber breaches. An MFT solution such as the class-leading GoAnywhere MFT keeps your organisation’s valuable data safe - at rest, and in transit. Coupled with an Advanced Threat Protection Bundle, it enables organisations to safely collaborate without exposing their systems or team to the risks of malware. This automated defence system protects your organisation’s data in three key ways: 1. It prevents files containing malware from being received, by scanning all inbound files and automatically stripping out embedded malware, triggered executables, scripts, or macros. 2. It blocks sensitive data from being shared, by inspecting file contents and stopping protected data from being shared, based on policies you define. 3. It redacts sensitive information from files before they are transferred, detecting and/or removing geotags, document properties, email addresses, and other metadata from documents. Local Help Available As your company’s stressed cyber professionals are signalling, today’s interconnected business environment makes cyber attacks inevitable. However, foiling these attacks no longer requires draining manual cyber surveillance. At Generic Systems Australia , we’ve helped hundreds of business leaders and IT teams across the Asia-Pacific region rest easier, knowing that their valuable data is protected by the automated sentries of GoAnywhere with Advanced Threat Protection. We can do the same for you. It’s surprisingly affordable, and our Migration Services mean you can keep running your business without disruption as we you transition to a more secure approach. In fact, we’re so confident that the capabilities and business case for installing an MFT solution stack up that we’ll even offer you a zero-cost Proof of Concept. If you’d like to help take the load off your cyber security team, and explore how your organisation can automate its data transfer security, please feel welcome to contact me . I’m always happy to have an obligation-free discussion. At Generic Systems Australia , we’re your local experts in Secure Managed File Transfer. Previous Next

< News 2026 World Cup: Unprecedented Cyber Target 18 June 2026 Major global sporting events are always an attractive target for malicious cyber actors. However, the 2026 FIFA World Cup’s expansive approach - three countries, 16 cities, and a vast digital ecosystem, during conflicts involving Russia, Ukraine, Iran, Israel, and the US, and America’s 250th anniversary – makes it a cyber target of unprecedented proportions. According to Nikita Shah, senior fellow with the Intelligence, National Security, and Technology program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the tournament’s cyber risk comprises three layers: the core digital infrastructure which the event relies upon; the wider digital infrastructure that supports the millions of spectators attending the matches; and the personal devices carried by players, officials, VIPs, and fans. Each of these layers introduces its own vulnerabilities. Together, they create what she describes as a “cumulative set of risks that makes securing this tournament somewhat unique.” Cybercrime at Scale The most immediate threat is cybercrime. In the lead up to the event, authorities saw evidence criminal groups were preparing their attacks. Malicious infrastructure was staged and waiting, including more than 1,000 suspicious domains and hundreds of cloned FIFA websites designed to harvest personal data. The World Cup is a perfect environment for fraud: fast transactions, unfamiliar vendors, and high‑value targets. Fake ticketing sites, bogus livestream apps loaded with malware, counterfeit merchandise stores, and even fraudulent job offers aimed at stealing credentials. Even athletes are not immune. Witness Bologna FC’s 2024 ransomware incident, which leaked 200GB of sensitive data. Disruption as a Political Tool Beyond profit‑driven crime, the tournament is a tempting stage for politically motivated disruption. Past events demonstrate the risk. The 2018 Winter Olympics suffered a major cyberattack by Russian military hackers, while the 2024 Euros saw DDoS attacks interrupt match coverage. State actors may target critical infrastructure - transit, water, power, emergency services - because these systems are often under‑resourced. With U.S. - Iran tensions high, and Russia seeking opportunities to undermine Western credibility, the World Cup becomes a symbolic and strategic target. Espionage in Plain Sight Where world leaders, senior officials, athletes, and global businesses gather, espionage follows. Shah warns that the World Cup offers an extremely attractive target set for intelligence collection. Russia, China, and Iran are expected to be the most active, seeking insights into diplomatic negotiations, dissidents, and high‑value organisations. Hybrid Threats Beyond Cyber Cyber operations won’t be the only tool in play. Disinformation campaigns, deepfakes, and social‑media manipulation will attempt to “pollute the information space,” as Shah puts it. Physical sabotage - such as the cable‑cutting incident during the Paris 2024 Olympics - remain a possibility. Preparedness The United States has designated most matches as nationally significant security events, enabling enhanced intelligence‑sharing and emergency planning. The Center for Strategic and International Studies has conducted extensive training and stadium assessments. Ultimately, resilience is the goal. MFT: an essential defence Major sporting events are, at their core, giant data‑exchange machines. Behind the spectacle of athletes, crowds, and broadcast cameras sits an enormous operational engine moving rosters, medical files, accreditation records, logistics manifests, vendor contracts, security briefings, and real‑time performance data between hundreds of organisations. That’s why Managed File Transfer (MFT) is one of the unsung heroes of such events. These events aren’t just big - they’re interconnected. Every partner needs to exchange sensitive information quickly, reliably, and in a way that won’t collapse under pressure. MFT shines in this environment because it replaces the messy patchwork of ad‑hoc file sharing with a single, governed, auditable system. It provides guaranteed delivery, automated workflows, and encryption that meets the scrutiny of international regulators. Local MFT Experts At Generic Systems Australia, we have decades of experience helping Australian and New Zealand organisations take advantage of the security and efficiency that MFT provides. If you’d like a no-cost, no-obligation discussion about how we could help you simply and affordably adopt an advanced MFT solution, please feel welcome to get in touch with me. Previous Next

< News Automate Cyber Security to Help Manage the Staff Shortage 7 Oct 2025 Automating your cyber security is one key way organisations can deal with the worsening scarcity of skilled cyber security staff in Australia. ISACA’s  State of Cybersecurity 2025 report shows that cyber security teams in Australia remain stretched thin. More than half (54%) say they are understaffed. Even more (58%) say they have unfilled positions. Hiring headache Australian organisations say there is a continuing high demand for technical cyber security professionals, but that they struggle to hire and retain them. Around a third (36%) say it takes three to six months to hire for even entry-level roles, and the challenge worsens (48%) for non-entry-level roles. The problem is more acute in Australia than on average globally (39%). Under-funded, and under threat Australian organisations’ hiring challenges are exacerbated by lack of staff funding. Almost half of respondents to ISACA’s survey said they had received insufficient funding to address cyber security issues, and only 24% predicted they would receive any budget increase in the year ahead. Again, this compared unfavourably to the 41% of cyber security professionals globally who expected their organisation’s cyber security budgets to increase. Skill profile changing The qualifications being sought by employers are also evolving … though perhaps not in the way you might expect. “Organisational Fit” is now the most highly sought after attribute (66%), followed by usual factors such as “Prior Cybersecurity Experience” (62%). Also highly-valued are “Adaptability” (57%), “Communication” (60%), “Critical Thinking” (55%) and “Problem Solving” (44%). Worse to Come? 41% of the Australian organisations who responded to ISACA’s survey said their organisation had experienced more attacks than a year ago. While half believe an attack on their organisation is likely or very likely in the year ahead, only 35% feel confident in their team’s incident response capabilities. ISACA’s Oceania Ambassador, Jo Stewart-Rattray, said Australia couldn’t “hire its way out of a skill gap this deep”. “Fewer organisations are training non-security staff into cyber roles, even though most organisations acknowledge they are under-staffed (and) this approach is unsustainable,” she said. Automating to Augment Organisations struggling to recruit cyber security specialists should consider how automation can augment and relieve the load being carried by their existing cyber security specialists. Advanced Managed File Transfer solutions, such as GoAnywhere MFT , can centrally manage and secure file transfers organisation-wide. Recognised for its class-leading features, GoAnywhere frees up your cyber security specialists, working in the background to comprehensively mitigate the risks of storing and moving your data, both within and outside your organisation. Through its centralised control, encryption, and auditing capabilities, GoAnywhere replaces risky traditional approaches and improves productivity. Its versatility, security, ease of use, and budget-friendliness have made it a must-have solution for organisations committed to protecting their information assets. Expert Local Advice On Hand At Generic Systems Australia , we’re Australia’s and New Zealand’s experts on Managed File Transfer solutions. If you’d like a no-cost, no-obligation discussion about how we could help you augment your cyber security team’s efforts, please feel welcome to get in touch . Previous Next

< News What is ‘MFT’ ... and why should you care 19 Oct 2023 What is ‘MFT’ - and why should you care about it? In today's data-driven world, the seamless and secure exchange of information is key to business efficiency. Managed File Transfer (MFT) is a powerful technology that comprehensively addresses the risks and challenges of moving information, both within an organisation, and with external suppliers, partners and customers. At its core, Managed File Transfer simplifies the complexities of data transfer by offering centralised control, encryption, and auditing capabilities. Unlike traditional approaches, such as FTP, MFT provides enhanced security protocols, ensuring data privacy during transmission and storage. And it does so via a user-friendly interface, which is easy to use for even non-technical employees. Organisations adopt MFT technology for the many benefits it provides. Security: MFT employs robust encryption algorithms, reducing the risk of data breaches during transit. Features like Access Controls, and Multi-factor Authentication, safeguard sensitive information from unauthorised access. Efficiency: MFT automates repetitive tasks. This not only reduces human error, it saves significant staff time. Through scheduling of file transfers, monitoring of progress, and automatic error-handling, it enables a significant boost to operational efficiency. Compliance: In industries with strict regulatory requirements, MFT helps companies meet compliance standards (e.g. HIPAA and GDPR) by automatically maintaining detailed logs and audit trails. Scalability: Through its ability to handle large file transfers and an ever-growing number of users, MFT is able to grow in sync with an organisation's needs, while maintaining superior performance. Collaboration: In addition to improving business processes within an organisation, MFT facilitates seamless collaboration with external partners, suppliers, and customers, fostering strong relationships built on shared trust and reliability. Managed File Transfer technology offers organisations a secure, efficient, and scalable solution for their data transfer needs. By leveraging MFT, businesses can not only streamline their operations but also gain a competitive edge, while ensuring the integrity and confidentiality of their data in today's interconnected digital landscape. Generic Systems Australia is the Asia-Pacific region’s leading provider of secure MFT solutions. If you’d like to explore how your organisations’ efficiency and bottom line could be boosted through MFT technology, please feel free to contact our Business Manager, Bradley Copson, ( bradley@gensys.com.au ) for an obligation-free discussion. Previous Next