The importance of cybersecurity

IN TODAY’S day and age, cybersecurity is more important than ever as an increased number of scammers try to make their way in.

Recent high-profile cyberattacks on major companies have brought the issue to the forefront of people’s minds; however, local Geelong IT company GravIT is encouraging smaller businesses to also stay vigilant.

GravIT managing director Daniel Strumpel said many small businesses mistakenly assumed they were not targets because of their size, but that is far from the truth.

“One of the things we hear regularly is ‘I’m just a small business, I’m not that important, no one’s going to hack me’,” he said.

“What I try to point out to people is: if you’ve got a mailbox, you’ve got something to protect. Just think about what’s in there – everything from sensitive customer details to internal documents.”

Gaining access to someone’s inbox could expose a wide range of information, from personally identifiable data like tax file numbers and addresses, through to scanned copies of licences or passports.

This kind of access can be used to impersonate individuals or the business itself.

Even more concerning is the risk of invoice fraud. If an attacker can read or intercept legitimate invoices, they may alter the bank details and trick someone into unknowingly sending money to the wrong account.

“It’s just so dangerous these days that security has to be taken seriously, and it’s not just at the big end of town – it’s at the small end too,” Mr Strumpel said.

“In fact, small businesses are often more appealing targets because they don’t always have the budget or resources to implement strong cyber protections. That makes them easier to exploit.”

With more than 20 years of industry experience, GravIT works with businesses of all sizes to help improve their cybersecurity posture.

By implementing measures such as endpoint protection, advanced firewalls, multi-factor authentication, encryption of data, regular software updates, and staff education, GravIT helps reduce the likelihood of a successful attack.

“The attacker only has to be right once. We, as defenders, have to be right every time,” Mr Strumpel said.

“We have to protect every possible entry point. If an attacker finds just one weakness – whether it’s a vulnerable device, an unpatched system, or a staff member who clicks a malicious link – that can be all it takes. And for a small business, the fallout can be devastating.”

To help local businesses better understand their risk, GravIT offers a free, no-obligation cybersecurity assessment, providing insights into their current setup and tailored recommendations for improvement.

“It’s about building awareness and making sure people don’t wait until something goes wrong to act,” Mr Strumpel said.

For more information, head to gravit.com.au

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