Email and collaboration tools have become an integral part of modern business operations. They enable teams to work together remotely, exchange sensitive information, and increase productivity. However, as their usage increases, so does the potential for security threats. In Australia, cybersecurity threats are a growing concern, with cybercrime being one of the fastest-growing economic crimes in the country.
Email and collaboration tools are a primary target for cybercriminals. These tools often contain sensitive information, including personal data, financial information, and intellectual property. Cybercriminals can exploit vulnerabilities in these tools to launch phishing attacks, ransomware attacks, and other types of cyber threats. In a cloud hosted environment, the security of email and collaboration tools is particularly critical. Data is stored offsite and accessed via the internet, creating additional points of vulnerability.
Moreover, cloud hosted environments face unique security challenges. In traditional on-premises environments, businesses had complete control over their data and infrastructure. However, in a cloud hosted environment, businesses rely on third-party cloud service providers to maintain the infrastructure and ensure the security of their data. As a result, businesses must have a strong understanding of the cloud security landscape to ensure the safety of their data.
In recent years, Australia has seen a significant rise in cybersecurity threats. According to the Australian Cyber Security Centre’s 2021 Annual Cyber Threat Report, the country faced a record-breaking 67,500 cybercrime reports in 2020, an increase of 13% from the previous year. The report also found that email remained the primary vector for cyber attacks, with phishing and business email compromise (BEC) being the most common attack types.
Moreover, Australian businesses are particularly vulnerable to cyber attacks. A 2020 report by the Australian Cyber Security Centre found that small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are particularly at risk, with 43% of cyber attacks targeting businesses with less than 100 employees. The report also found that cyber attacks can have a significant impact on businesses, with the average cost of a cyber attack in Australia being over $1.9 million.
To protect email and collaboration tools in a cloud hosted environment, businesses must implement best practices for cloud security. These best practices include:
- Encryption: Encryption is the process of encoding data in such a way that only authorized parties can access it. In a cloud hosted environment, businesses should ensure that their email and collaboration tools are encrypted to protect against unauthorized access.
- Two-Factor Authentication: Two-factor authentication adds an additional layer of security by requiring users to provide two forms of identification to access an account. In a cloud hosted environment, businesses should implement two-factor authentication for email and collaboration tools to protect against unauthorized access.
- Data Backup: Data backup is the process of copying and storing data in a secure location. In a cloud hosted environment, businesses should ensure that their email and collaboration tools are regularly backed up to protect against data loss.
- Employee Training: Employee training is critical for ensuring the security of email and collaboration tools. Employees must be trained to recognize and report potential security threats, such as phishing emails or suspicious login attempts.
Email and collaboration tools are critical to modern business operations. However, their usage presents significant security risks, particularly in a cloud hosted environment. Australian statistics demonstrate the growing threat of cybercrime and the need for robust cloud security tools. Businesses need to take adequate steps to ensure their data is protected through adequate security and backups.