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We're Happy to Help Generic Systems Australia are your local experts in Secure Managed File Transfer, servicing Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. We're always happy to answer your questions, or offer you an obligation-free discussion and zero-cost Proof of Concept. Address Generic Systems Australia Level 25, 100 Mount Street North Sydney NSW 2060 Australia Phone +61-2-9959-2239 Email mktg@gensys.com.au Social Media First Name Last Name Email Phone Number (optional) Message Enquiry Type Learn More Send Thank for your message! You will receive an email shortly! We respect your privacy! We won't share your details with third parties or AI. Your enquiry will be handled personally by a member of our technical team. And we won't spam you.

< News MFT: Not Just Your First Line of Cyber Defence 16 Sept 2025 Every organisation serious about protecting its data will likely come to view a Managed File Transfer (MFT) solution as one of their first lines of defence. Employing MFT as the standard when exchanging data puts organisations light years ahead of businesses still relying on risky File Transfer Protocol and email to transfer files. MFT platforms not only centralise – and therefore, control - data transfer, they also enable companies to apply comprehensive policies which protect data. Data can be insulated from threats as diverse as inbound malware to careless employees entrusting files to external platforms beyond an organisation’s direct control, such as Google Drive and Dropbox. Critical protection policies, such as those encompassing encryption, monitoring, and auditing capability, can be enforced. High Volume = High Exposure In 2024, businesses were responsible for generating around 30% of the world’s data—an astonishing ~44.1 zettabytes. That included data such as transaction records, CRM logs, ERP systems, IoT sensor data from manufacturing and logistics, internal communications, analytics, and cloud backups, AI training datasets and other enterprise software usage. But as the volume of data used and consumed by businesses grows, so too does the cost and impact of potentially losing that data. The high ransoms now regularly being paid to cyberthieves amply demonstrate just how valuable business data has become. Surely it makes more sense to invest in a relatively inexpensive protective technology like MFT, than to lose equivalent funding — or greater — in the form of ransoms paid to cyber thieves? Lessons from Bankers Banks, traditional repositories of valuables from cash, precious metals and sensitive documents, have learned a lot over the years about protecting assets. And their learnings are relevant to how we should be protecting our valuable data. Banks no longer store our valuables in a single bank vault. Nor for that matter do they store our digital currency on a single server. Rather, banks protect our precious assets — physical and digital — behind layers of security. Physical valuables sit behind physical barriers, multiple locks, access control systems, remote monitoring and security guards. Digital valuables are protected against threats such as malware, ransomware, accidental data loss, third-party exposure, and zero-day attacks by a broad array of technologies. Sitting beneath those technologies, ensuring they’re enforced and providing a sound bedrock of centralised control, surveillance and auditing, is MFT. Adding Layered Defence At Generic Systems Australia we’re adept at installing and maintaining the world’s leading MFT, GoAnywhere . And our Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) bundle significantly enhances GoAnywhere’s data protection capabilities by introducing a proactive, multilayered defence against both external threats and internal data leakage. While GoAnywhere already provides secure encryption, access controls, and audit trails for file transfers, the ATP bundle adds dynamic inspection and sanitisation that targets the content itself—not just the container. At the heart of this integration is the Clearswift Secure ICAP Gateway, which enables deep content inspection and adaptive Data Loss Prevention (DLP). This means every file transferred through GoAnywhere can be scanned for malware, embedded scripts, macros, and other active content that could compromise systems. Unlike traditional antivirus tools, ATP sanitises files in real time—removing only the malicious elements while allowing legitimate content to pass through uninterrupted. Limiting Exposure Beyond malware, the ATP Bundle also addresses sensitive data exposure. It can detect and block files containing personally identifiable information (PII), financial records, or confidential metadata before they’re shared externally. Policies can be set to redact sensitive text, strip geotags and even apply optical character recognition (OCR) to scanned documents to catch hidden data. This empowers organisations to enforce granular control over who can transmit sensitive content and under what conditions—adding a layer of governance that encryption alone cannot provide. In essence, the ATP Bundle transforms GoAnywhere from a secure conduit into an intelligent gatekeeper. It doesn’t just move data safely—it understands what’s inside, evaluates its risk, and ensures that only clean, compliant content reaches its destination. Modular Enhancements Augmenting GoAnywhere’s capabilities are Modules which can further protect an organisation from the inherent risks of legacy protocols such as SFTP/FTPS, email attachments and manual processes. SFTP Server can be upgraded to by GoAnywhere SFTP Server Module, enabling SSH-encrypted transfer with centralised access control, audit logging and integration with Active Directory. FTPS Server can be upgraded to FT Module, offering SSL/TLS encryption, customisable access, and DMZ-safe deployment via GoAnywhere Gateway. HTTPS Web Uploads can be replaced by the Secure Folders Module to create browser-based file access with HTTPS encryption and user authentication. AS2/AS4/PeSIT can be replaced by Certified Protocol Modules, providing Retail and banking-grade secure exchange with Drummond certification. These modules consolidate disparate protocols into a single, scalable platform—reducing complexity, improving visibility, and enforcing consistent security policies across all transfers. Making Email Secure Email is ubiquitous. However, it's also one of the least secure ways to transmit sensitive data. Fortra’s Secure Mail module in GoAnywhere transforms ad-hoc file sharing into a secure, trackable process without disrupting user workflows. Using Secure Mail, Users send files as secure encrypted packages via their browser or an Outlook plugin. Recipients receive a unique link to download via HTTPS — no files are sent directly via email. Senders can set expiration dates, download limits, and password protection, and all activity is logged for auditability and compliance. Secure Mail keeps files on your infrastructure until accessed, eliminating third-party hosting risks and ensuring full control over sensitive data. Strategic Defence By replacing legacy protocols and insecure email practices with GoAnywhere’s modular architecture, organisations gain: • Unified governance over all file transfers; • Reduced attack surface via DMZ-safe deployment; • Improved compliance with GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS; and • Streamlined user experience without sacrificing security. Here to Help At Generic Systems Australia we have decades of experience helping Australian and New Zealand organisations protect themselves against malware and other cyber attacks through the power of the world’s leading MFT solution. Our Migration Service makes the transition even easier for organisations who prefer to use their resources building their businesses rather than improving their IT plumbing. 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 us. At Generic Systems Australia, we’re your local experts in Secure Managed File Transfer. Previous Next

< News Moving on from MOVEit 20 Oct 2023 Your Choice of MFT Matters Many organisations across the Asia-Pacific region are replacing their outdated MOVEit-based Managed File Transfer (MFT) systems with Forta’s advanced GoAnywhere suite . In this article, I’ll explain why. There are plenty of options when it comes to selecting a file transfer solution… from free, unsecure methods to the fully-featured marketplace leader. But as cybercrime has continued to surge, companies have increasingly realised how essential it’s become to secure their data transfers, maintaining a ‘circle of trust’ with their customers and supply chains. Additionally, companies have been searching for ways to boost their bottom lines through greater efficiency. The true cost – in terms of lost productivity - of outdated manual file transfer approaches has come into sharper focus. Business leaders are realising that their MFT solutions, which may have once met historic needs, are no longer enough . Superior Security Recent cybersecurity incursions make “Robust Security” top of mind for those seeking a better MFT solution. GoAnywhere MFT takes all aspects of data security seriously, protecting your sensitive data both “in motion” and “at rest”. Maintaining GoAnywhere’s security and compliance product leadership is a primary focus for its development team, who stay across the latest security standards to ensure up-to-date compliance with regulations, frameworks, and standards. Beyond Windows Organisations managing multiple operating systems soon encounter the constraints of MOVEit’s Windows-only solution. GoAnywhere flexibly supports any protocol, any platform, and any deployment, including Microsoft Azure, AWS, Linux, and more. The Need for Speed Included in GoAnywhere is GoFast, a file transfer acceleration protocol which can transmit data considerably faster than traditional FTP. The patented technology in GoFast takes the best of UDP’s speed and adds reliability and rate control, providing GoAnywhere with speed MOVEit can’t match. Drag & Drop Workflows Scripting – as required by MOVEit for some tasks - is clunky, time consuming and confusing for non-expert users. Through its breadth of Automated Workflows capabilities, GoAnywhere enables end users to quickly and easily build workflows. Manual and automated tasks can even be combined into one master workflow. Further, GoAnywhere provides easy reporting on partner Service Level Agreements, alerting you to any workflow issues before your trading partners do. Easy Centralised Control MOVEit requires you to install two products (MOVEit Automation and MOVEit Transfer) to enable full MFT functionality. Most users prefer GoAnywhere’s centralised, browser-based dashboard - an intuitive “one stop shop” for managing file transfers. Advanced Auditability GoAnywhere not only moves and shares data securely, it also provides full auditability of transfers. Logging full audit trails of all user events and file activity, it can also generate reports of file transfer activity, user statistics, and completed jobs – all from within its central management console. And.. Beyond the advantages above, former MOVEit users are often delighted to discover GoAnywhere’s advanced capabilities in: High availability and clustering, providing true active-active support and load balancing to distribute workloads across multiple systems; Remote agents - lightweight applications managed through the GoAnywhere interface which enable configuring and scheduling of file transfers throughout an enterprise; and Secure Forms - customised forms or files that which contain data other tasks can automatically process. Want to see a Better MFT in Action? If you’d like to discuss how GoAnywhere could help boost organisations’ security, efficiency and bottom line, please feel free to contact me ( bradley@gensys.com.au ) for an obligation-free discussion. Bradley Copson Business Manager Generic Systems Australia Previous Next

< News 55 Trillion File & Object Transfers in 2025 13 Jan 2026 One of the things I mused over during the new year break was “How many files did Australians transfer during 2025?” I asked an AI to assist me in a sweep of available data sources and come up with a reasoned estimation. Humans + Hidden When most people think about digital activity, they picture emails, cloud uploads, or the occasional shared document. Yet when we model Australia’s full digital ecosystem across 2025, a very different picture emerges. Human‑initiated file sharing — email attachments, messaging app files, cloud uploads — accounts for only a tiny fraction of the nation’s digital movement. Analysis places that figure at around 82 billion files per year, a substantial number on its own. But layering in the automated and infrastructural systems that underpin modern digital life, the scale expands dramatically. To reach an estimate of the total, four additional categories need to be accounted for. Automated system backups are the first major contributor. By estimating the number of organisations using cloud‑based incremental backup and applying conservative daily change rates, we arrived at roughly 11 trillion backup‑related file movements annually. Next came cloud sync events , driven by photo libraries, document updates, and multi‑device workflows. With around 60% of Australians using at least one active sync service, this added another 115 billion events. The real explosion came from Content Delivery Networks (CDNs). Every webpage, app screen, and embedded image is delivered as a collection of discrete objects. By modelling daily request volumes and average objects per request, we estimated 34.4 trillion CDN object transfers in 2025. Finally, we incorporated machine‑to‑machine (M2M) activity—the internal chatter of microservices, logs, IoT payloads, and replication events—using a conservative multiplier. This added another 11.4 trillion movements. Together, these layers produced a staggering total: approximately 50–60 trillion digital file and object transfers across Australia in 2025. Humans are barely the spark; the infrastructure is the inferno. Implications for Organisations The scale of data movement across Australia has profound implications for organisations. When file movement becomes this vast, distributed, and automated, traditional ad‑hoc transfer methods simply can’t keep up. Security gaps widen, auditability collapses, and operational risk multiplies. That’s why Managed File Transfer (MFT) technology should no longer be considered “nice to have”. MFT provides a controlled, encrypted, policy‑driven framework for moving data across systems, partners, and cloud environments. It brings visibility to the invisible, governance to the chaotic, and reliability to the mission‑critical. In a world where trillions of transfers happen without a human ever touching a keyboard, MFT is the anchor that keeps organisations secure, compliant, and in control. Here to Help At Generic Systems Australia , we’re Australia’s and New Zealand’s experts in helping businesses implement and take leverage MFT solutions. We’ve assisted dozens of organisations to make their file transfers resilient, secure and reliable — boosting their efficiency in the process. If you’d like to discuss what MFT can do for your organisation, please feel welcome to get in touch with me. I’m always happy to have an obligation-free chat and explain how easily we can transition you from your current approach to the world’s leading MFT solution, GoAnywhere . Previous Next

< News Managed File Transfer: Conductor of Your Enterprise IT Orchestra 4 Dec 2025 In today’s enterprise IT landscape, complexity is the rule rather than the exception. Organisations rely on dozens—sometimes hundreds—of applications, platforms, and services to keep operations running smoothly. Each system has its own rhythm, is its own “instrument,” and has its own way of producing value. The challenge lies not in the individual performance of these systems, but in how well they coordinate with one another. This is where Managed File Transfer (MFT) can step up and play the role of orchestra conductor. Your IT Orchestra Imagine your enterprise IT environment as a vast orchestra. The finance system is the brass section, bold and powerful. The HR platform is the woodwinds, steady and supportive. The customer relationship management tool is the strings, agile and expressive. Each application has its own sheet music, tuning and timing. Left to themselves, these musicians might play well individually. But without guidance, the ensemble risks descending into cacophony. MFT ensures that every musician receives the right cues, at the right tempo, and in the right order. It doesn’t matter if the ERP system “plays” in one key and the analytics platform in another; MFT provides the synchronisation and structure that allows them to perform together harmoniously. Timing and Precision In an orchestra, timing is everything. A single misplaced note can disrupt the entire performance. Similarly, in enterprise IT, a delayed or failed file transfer can ripple across departments, causing inefficiencies or even compliance risks. MFT acts as the baton, ensuring that data moves securely, reliably, and on schedule. It enforces discipline across the ensemble, so that the payroll system receives its inputs before payday, the supply chain platform gets its updates before shipments, and the analytics engine has fresh data before executives make decisions. Security as the Score A conductor doesn’t just wave a baton; they interpret the score, ensuring fidelity to the composer’s intent. In IT, the “score” is the organisation’s security and compliance requirements. MFT enforces encryption, authentication, and auditing, ensuring that sensitive data is handled in accordance with regulations. Just as a conductor prevents the orchestra from straying off‑script, MFT prevents systems from improvising in ways that could compromise security or compliance. Flexibility and Adaptation Orchestras often perform different pieces, requiring the conductor to adapt to new tempos, styles, and arrangements. Likewise, enterprises constantly evolve—adding new applications, integrating with partners, or scaling to meet demand. MFT provides the flexibility to incorporate new “musicians” without disrupting the ensemble. It abstracts away the complexity of how systems connect, so IT teams can focus on the music rather than the mechanics. A Successful Symphony Ultimately, the value of MFT lies in its ability to transform disparate systems into a unified performance. It ensures that the finance section doesn’t drown out HR, that analytics doesn’t rush ahead of operations, and that customer data flows seamlessly across the organisation. The result is not just efficiency, but coherence—a symphony of systems working together to deliver business value. MFT is more than a logistics tool; it is the conductor that turns enterprise IT from a collection of talented but isolated musicians into a world‑class orchestra. By ensuring timing, security, and harmony, MFT enables organisations to perform at their best—producing not noise, but music. Here and Ready to Help At Generic Systems Australia we have decades of experience helping Australian and New Zealand organisations become more efficient, organised and protected through the power of the world’s leading MFT solution . Our Migration Service makes the transition even easier. 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 us. At Generic Systems Australia, we’re your local experts in secure Managed File Transfer. Previous Next

< News How Load Balancing optimises your file transfers 30 Apr 2024 Network bottlenecks that cause business downtime are the bete noir of corporate IT teams. Businesswire found that 82% of companies experienced at least one downtime incident during the past three years… costing small businesses $660 per minute, and larger organisations $14,000 per minute. Load balancing is a key technique for keeping network traffic flowing. What is Load Balancing? Load balancing is key to “clustering”, where multiple systems work together as a single unit to help ensure high-availability, scalability, and reliability. It’s a technique which enables organisations to distribute workloads and network traffic across multiple servers or network interfaces in a computer cluster. Effective load balancing means that network traffic is always directed to servers which are “available”, should a particular server become overwhelmed or fail. Balancing workloads optimises the performance of systems and applications –– for example, a managed file transfer (MFT) solution for exchanging data –– preventing bottlenecks and other efficiency-sapping impacts. Why Load Balance for File Transfers? Delays in sending files can have significant negative ripple effects throughout an organisation. Incoming orders may not be received, or shipping may be delayed, leading to dissatisfied customers. Delayed financial transactions with trading partners may weaken an organisation’s supply chain. Load balancing helps organisations continue to operate ‘business as usual’ even when a system fails or is inundated with a heavy network workload. Other benefits of load balancing include: Scalability: Load balancers can help organisations adapt to growing and changing conditions and workloads without suffering adverse events. New servers can be seamlessly added to the cluster when more scalability is needed. Performance Optimisation : Traffic is routed to the server most capable of handling a given request based on location or server health. Redundancy: Organisations safeguard themselves, should one server become overloaded or fail, with load balancing enabling processing work to continue without interruption. Using Middleware and Active-Active Framework for Load Balancing A robust managed file transfer solution, such as Fortra’s GoAnywhere MFT, delivers critical load balancing and scaling when installed in a cluster. The solution’s load balancer, GoAnywhere Gateway, serves as both a reverse proxy and load balancer. When paired with Gateway as a load balancer, each inbound file server connection can be distributed to available systems in the environment. MFT workflows performed in a clustering environment gain increased performance and throughput. If a system within a cluster fails, GoAnywhere Gateway automatically routes all new trading partner connections to the remaining systems in the cluster. For mission critical environments and processes, this is an “active-active” framework providing high availability. Enhanced Security GoAnywhere Gateway also provides an extra security layer when exchanging data. The Gateway keeps file sharing services such as FTPS, HTTPS, SFTP servers and any documents secure in the private or internal network. No additional inbound ports need to be opened, which helps organisations meet compliance requirements such as those for PCI DSS, SOX, HIPAA, GLBA, as well as certain privacy laws. This round robin algorithm essentially works like this: For each new FTP, FTPS, or SFTP connection from a trading partner, the Gateway distributes that session sequentially to the next FTP/FTPS/SFTP server within the cluster. HTTP/S, however, is a stateless protocol. It uses the round robin algorithm but will persist each connection for a time to maintain session integrity. HTTP/S sessions typically are only served by one HTTP/S server at a time. If you’d like to discuss how your organisation can reduce downtime through MFT load balancing, please feel welcome to contact our Business Manager, Bradley Copson (mail to: bradley@gensys.com.au ). He’s 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. Generic Systems Australia Your Local Experts in Secure Managed File Transfer Previous Next

< News Surge in Scanning Suggests Targeted Hack Attack Imminent 8 July 2025 A recently detected increase in attempts to hack MOVEit Managed File Transfer underlines the importance of promptly patching your enterprise software. Threat intelligence Firm GreyNoise has warned of a “notable surge” in hackers scanning MOVEit MFT systems. Scanning Surge GreyNoise said that the surge in attacks started on May 27. Since then, the volume of scanners has remained between 200 and 300 per day - a 20-30 times increase over usual levels. They suggested attackers may be probing for unpatched systems or possibly preparing a coordinated mass attack. The Australian Signals Directorate – Australia’s premier cyber crime combatants – advises that applying patches to applications is critical to ensuring the security of systems. “Once a vulnerability in an application is made public, it can be expected that malicious code will be developed by malicious actors within 48 hours, sometimes within 24 hours,” they said. Obviously, applying multiple patches in a production environment may not only be time consuming, it may well impact production system uptime and even create greater potential for compounded problems during the process. Alternatives Some organisations have been completely replacing their existing Managed File Transfer (MFT) systems with the MFT independently recommended as the world’s most advanced – Fortra’s GoAnywhere. GoAnywhere offers two key security advantages over lesser Managed File Transfer solutions. Firstly, it includes an advanced Threat Brain . This aggregates security intelligence from across Fortra’s deep portfolio of cybersecurity solutions and external providers to continuously identify and block IPs with malicious intent. Threat Brain enables GoAnywhere to quickly and proactively block threats before they infiltrate your organisation. Secondly, rather than merely patching its software, Fortra frequently releases complete updated versions. Upgrading the software to a new version is as simple as downloading the latest version from the Fortra customer portal, briefly stopping your existing version, and then installing it. Local Expertise Available At Generic Systems Australia we’ve helped dozens of Australian and New Zealand organisations transition to GoAnywhere quickly, simply and inexpensively. If you’d like to discuss how we can help you, please feel welcome to contact me . I’m always happy to have an obligation-free chat and even provide an obligation-free proof of concept. At Generic Systems Australia we’re your local experts in secure Managed File Transfer. Previous Next

< News GoAnywhere Version 7.8.0 Released 5 May 2025 Great news for those using the world's most advanced Managed File Transfer solution. GoAnywhere MFT 7.8.0, GoAnywhere Agents 2.4.0 and GoAnywhere Gateway 3.3.0 have just been released. These new versions feature many useful updates including handling of Azure Storage, security updates, component updates, and much more. Head over to your client portal to see the Release Notes. For GoAnywhere MFT check out the release notes for 7.7.0, 7.7.1 and 7.8.0. 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!

< News Compulsory Disclosure of Ransomware Payments Looms 6 Aug 2024 Australian organisations will soon be forced to disclose their ransomware payments to cyberthieves. The measure is included in a landmark new Cyber Security Act to be brought before parliament’s next sitting. It comes in response to research which shows Australian businesses have been paying untold amounts of ransom to hackers in what is now a mounting wave of ransomware hacks. Ransom payments flourishing The government is reportedly concerned that the practice of quietly paying off cybercriminals has flourished in secrecy. While the government originally planned to place an outright ban on ransom payments, it’s now focused on mapping the scale of the problem. "People are paying criminals money and it is happening in the darkness (and) we need to bring this out into the light," said former minister for cybersecurity Clare O'Neil. "Government cannot win this war alone. We need a whole-of-nation effort here." Every six minutes In its 2022/23 Annual Cyber Threat Report, the Australian Cyber Security Centre confirmed it was notified of a new cyber incident every six minutes on average. Ransomware attacks have increased roughly five-fold since 2020. As worrying as those numbers might seem, they are still only a glimpse of the real problem. "It is believed that in the Five Eyes countries alone - Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States - literally billions of dollars in ransoms is being paid, and criminal gangs are reinvesting that money … to attack us again," O'Neil said. Business groups concerned Cyber security experts say the proposed changes strike the right balance. However, business groups say they are concerned the new disclosure rules could sink some small operators. To help tempt reluctant businesses into transparency, the government is proposing that disclosures will not be subjected to "the glare of regulators". A "Limited Use Provision" will prevent the Australian Signals Directorate and the Australian Cyber Security Centre from sharing the information more widely, except in narrow circumstances. Said O’Neil: "This is a no-fault scheme. We're not blaming businesses … they're victims of a crime." Under the existing proposal, regulators such as the Privacy Commissioner would still be allowed to investigate and prosecute companies that "leave the front door unlocked", but only using their existing powers. "It doesn't absolve business of any of their legal responsibilities or liabilities," O'Neil said. "We expect Australian businesses to take care of their customers … but sometimes things do go wrong." Not just the private sector The problem of ransomware attacks is not limited to the private sector. The Australian Signals Directorate said almost one-third of cybersecurity incidents reported in the 2022-2023 financial year came from the public service. Consecutive audits of the government sector have found it has a "low-maturity level" when it comes to cybersecurity, despite holding the largest store of sensitive data about Australian citizens. As it stands, about 1,000 Australian entities providing "critical infrastructure" such as energy, healthcare and banking services are obliged to report ransom payments. Attacks escalating The new mandatory reporting measures are recognition that there is no end in sight to ransomware attacks. Johanna Weaver, director of the Tech Policy Design Centre at ANU, said "No matter how good our cybersecurity protections are … (attacks) will continue to happen." She applauded the push to establish an ongoing "Cyber Incident Review Board", similar to what exists in the aviation industry, to learn from other major breaches, such as the attack on MediSecure. Avoiding Ransom Payments To be truly secure, an organisation’s data must be protected not only when it’s stored, but also while it’s enroute to and from storage. Managed File Transfer (MFT) solutions such as the class-leading GoAnywhere MFT encrypt data at rest and in transit, complying with the highest data security standards (including the US’s and Europe’s HIPAA, HITECH, PCI DSS, SOX, and GDPR). MFT manages inbound and outbound file transfers across an organisation, using industry-standard file transfer protocols such as SFTP, FTPS, and AS2 to send files securely, and encryption standards such as Open PGP and AES to protect data in transit and at rest. Local Expertise on Hand Generic Systems Australia are your local experts in Managed File Transfer solutions. 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 improving your 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. Attribution: sections of this article were substantially sourced from an item originally published by ABC News Australia. Previous Next