Seven ways to increase your chances of achieving media coverage
Media interviews can help gain positive coverage for you and your company. Journalists hold the key and, if your company’s story gets published, it could lead to more enquiries and sales.
Given the importance of media coverage, it’s essential that, in a media interview, you convey your business as something worth writing about. A journalist is looking to transform the information you give them into a story, so it needs to be clear and compelling. Continue reading “Seven ways to increase your chances of achieving media coverage”
Cryptojacking shows no signs of slowing down in 2019, says ESET
Sydney, Australia – Cases of cryptocurrency mining and cryptojacking will continue to grow in 2019, as attackers target smart devices and home assistants to build cryptomining farms, according to ESET’s latest trends report. Along with cryptomining, Cybersecurity Trends 2019: Privacy and intrusion in the global village details the predictions of top experts from the global cybersecurity firm, revealing the cybersecurity trends set to impact businesses in 2019.
Trend #1: Cryptomining continues to rise
Cryptocurrency mining beat ransomware in terms of media attention in the past year and cryptojacking – the process by which a device is hi-jacked illegitimately – “shows no signs of slowing down”, according to ESET Senior Security Researcher David Harley.
Commenting on this trend, Harley said that, “We can also expect to see more coin-mining software attempting to remove competing coinminers on compromised systems in order to get a higher-calorie slice of the processing pie.”
An increase in the adoption of cryptocurrencies, as well as a rise in the number of devices connected to the internet, could also mean that smart devices and homes assistants become the entry point for attackers to build cryptomining farms in 2019. Cyberattacks specifically designed to attack IoT devices, such as automated scripts that exploit vulnerabilities in connected devices or processes that are designed to take control of them, will become more frequent.
Trend #2: Data privacy will make or break companies
In 2018, issues around data privacy and protection came sharply into focus following a number of high-profile cyberattacks, data leaks and privacy missteps, as well as the implementation of GDPR. ESET Senior Security Researchers Stephen Cobb and Lysa Myers commented that in light of incidents such as Cambridge Analytica, we are likely to see people searching for alternatives to the platforms such as Facebook that currently dominate. Given the importance of customer data to companies, individuals, and to cybercriminals, ESET argues that the ability to properly manage data privacy could decide which companies stay in business in 2019.
Trend #3: Attackers use automation to advance social engineering campaigns
ESET asserts that 2019 will see an increase in cybercriminals’ use of automation in attempts to collect more data so that they can launch more personalised and sophisticated social engineering campaigns.
Lysa Myers, ESET Senior Security Researcher, writes that, “While some phishing and other fraud attacks have certainly improved their ability to mimic legitimate sources, many are still painfully obvious fakes. Machine learning could help increase effectiveness in this area.”
Trend #4: A move towards a global privacy law?
Following the implementation of GDPR, ESET questions whether the EU legislation is the first step towards a global privacy law, particularly as similar models start to appear in California, Brazil, and Japan. Considering this, ESET warns against dismissing privacy rights and data protection as an EU anomaly. The pressure to protect customers’ data and ensure the privacy of sensitive information is a global issue and will certainly encourage a move towards GDPR-style privacy around the world.
For more on the trends set to impact the industry in 2019, read ESET’s Cybersecurity Trends 2019: The Cost of our Connected World.
About ESET
For 30 years, ESET® has been developing industry-leading IT security software and services for businesses and consumers worldwide. With solutions ranging from endpoint and mobile security, to encryption and two-factor authentication, ESET’s high-performing, easy-to-use products give consumers and businesses the peace of mind to enjoy the full potential of their technology. ESET unobtrusively protects and monitors 24/7, updating defenses in real-time to keep users safe and businesses running without interruption. Evolving threats require an evolving IT security company. Backed by R&D centers worldwide, ESET becomes the first IT security company to earn 100 Virus Bulletin VB100 awards, identifying every single “in-the-wild” malware without interruption since 2003. For more information visit www.eset.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.
Palo Alto Networks integrates RedLock and VM-Series with AWS Security Hub
Sydney, Australia – Cybersecurity solutions provider Palo Alto Networks has announced the integration of RedLock and VM-Series for AWS Security Hub, a new security service from Amazon Web Services.
Palo Alto Networks helps organisations move their applications and data to AWS with inline, API-based and host-based protection technologies that work together to minimise risk of data loss and business disruption.
Building on native AWS security capabilities, these protection technologies integrate into the cloud application development lifecycle, making cloud security frictionless for development, security and compliance teams.
AWS Security Hub is designed to provide users with a comprehensive view of their high-priority security alerts and compliance status by aggregating, organising and prioritising alerts, or findings, from multiple AWS services, such as Amazon GuardDuty, Amazon Inspector, and Amazon Macie as well as from other APN security offerings.
The findings are then visually summarised on integrated dashboards with actionable graphs and tables.
Customers can use these collaborative efforts to help verify that their applications and data are secure.
- RedLock integration: RedLock by Palo Alto Networks further protects AWS deployments with cloud security analytics, advanced threat detection and compliance monitoring. RedLock continuously collects and correlates log data and configuration information from AWS Config, AWS CloudTrail, Amazon Virtual Private Cloud (Amazon VPC) flow logs, AWS Inspector and Amazon GuardDuty to uncover and send security and compliance alerts to the AWS Security Hub console. The RedLock integration with AWS Security Hub provides additional context and centralised visibility into cloud security risks, allowing customers to gain actionable insights, identify cloud threats, reduce risk and remediate incidents, without impeding DevOps.
- VM-Series integration: The VM-Series next-generation firewall complements AWS security groups by first reducing the attack surface through application control policies, and then preventing threats and data exfiltration within allowed traffic. The VM-Series integration with AWS Security Hub uses an AWS Lambda function to collect threat intelligence and send it to the firewall as an automatic security policy update that blocks malicious activity. As the IP address information changes, the security policy is updated without administrative intervention.
Palo Alto Networks public cloud security products and engineering senior vice president Varun Badhwar says, “The Palo Alto Networks product integrations help customers verify that their users, applications, and data are secure through a single pane of glass.
“The RedLock integration allows customers to monitor advanced threats due to common cloud misconfigurations, stolen credentials, and malicious user and network activities, while the VM-Series integration automates policies to block malicious activity.”
“With more businesses moving to the cloud, it’s critical that the alert data they receive provides them with actionable insights to successfully combat cyber attacks.”
Konica Minolta receives top honour in the Australian Human Rights Commission Human Rights Awards
Sydney, Australia – Konica Minolta has been awarded the Human Rights Award 2018 in the Business category, for showing leadership in the people-centred policies that promote human rights in its business and supply chain.
The Human Rights Award is the pinnacle of human rights recognition in Australia, highlighting the outstanding contribution of individuals and organisations in promoting and protecting human rights and freedoms.
Konica Minolta delivers on its commitment to human rights in three key areas:
- People – by respecting and promoting the human rights of its employees through its diversity and inclusion strategy, and the implementation of progressive policies such as domestic and family violence support and Indigenous procurement strategies.
- Customers – by engaging with human rights in its value chain through the launch and implementation of its ethical sourcing roadmap and supplier code of conduct.
- Community – by supporting human rights through its non-profit partners including Breast Cancer Network Australia, Landcare Australia, The Smith Family, and Project Futures, business and human rights networks; and in pursuing its vision of being a business leader in human rights in Australia and the region, advocating for important policies such as the Modern Slavery Act, which was passed by the federal government on November 29, 2018.
Dr David Cooke, managing director, Konica Minolta Australia, said, “Konica Minolta has been actively involved in supporting human rights and has made significant efforts to not only ensure it has practices in place to ensure the ethical management of its own supply chain, but has also provided resources, raised awareness and worked with the government for changes to be made to address the issues of modern slavery in Australia and internationally.
“As well as ongoing community partnership programs, we’re dedicated through our efforts and influence to improve the quality of life for people affected by modern slavery or unfair work practices throughout the supply chain. Increasingly, we’re finding customers and employees are moved to work with companies that have purpose and diversity, and are committed to doing the right thing.
“We’re humbled to have received this Australian Human Rights Commission Award, and we thank all of the nominees for their initiatives and commitment to human rights. Doing what we can to uphold human rights isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s a necessity if we’re going to build a society where every individual is empowered to achieve their full potential.
“This not only provides a platform to demonstrate the inspiring work the team at Konica Minolta is doing, but also to encourage other businesses to look inward at the impact of their core business and operations, as well as those of their suppliers or business partners, to avoid negatively affecting human rights.”
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About Konica Minolta
Konica Minolta Business Solutions Australia Pty Ltd is a market leading provider of integrated solutions and managed services with the power to transform business environments.
Konica Minolta works with organisations large and small to provide integrated print and content management solutions and services to improve productivity, reduce costs, increase security and achieve sustainability outcomes. Optimised Print Services (OPS) combine consultancy with hardware and software implementation and operation.
Headquartered in Sydney, Konica Minolta Australia delivers expert professional services with experienced and responsive client support, in addition to the world-class service provided through its extensive network of direct sales offices and authorised dealers.
For more information: https://www.konicaminolta.com.au/sustainability
Journalist interviews: how to maximise your coverage
Positive media coverage can attract important opportunities for growth.
Given this, it’s important that your media spokespeople make a great first impression on a journalist. Journalists are the key to your exposure and, ultimately, they determine how your business is perceived through media coverage.
Continue reading “Journalist interviews: how to maximise your coverage”
CompTIA announces new Executive Council members
Sydney, Australia – CompTIA has announced its four new executive council (EC) members for 2019, set to help shape the channel community in the new year and beyond. The newly-elected members were decided by a vote by CompTIA Premier Members.
The newly-elected EC members are:
- Carineh Grigorian, marketing director, Arrow ECS ANZ
- Damian Zammit, general manager, Thomas Duryea Logicalis
- Jo Dean, manager, SMB and Distribution Sales, Citrix Systems
- Leo Lynch, ANZ sales director, StorageCraft.
Moheb Moses, director, Channel Dynamics, and ANZ community director, CompTIA, said “This year’s race was extremely competitive. We had eight nominees in total, all highly skilled and active in the industry. CompTIA originally planned to fill five open positions, however, the existing EC chose to reserve a position for a New Zealand candidate. This will help CompTIA expand its coverage in the future.
“I also want to extend a heartfelt thank you to CompTIA’s outgoing EC members, who’ve been outstanding contributors to our community. These members’ work and assistance have helped significantly strengthen the channel community.”
Outgoing EC members include:
- Karen Drewitt, general manager, The Missing Link (chair)
- Nick Beaugeard, CEO, HubOne (vice chair)
- Belinda Jurisic, channel sales manager, Citrix
- Sean Murphy, owner, Nexus IT
- Emma Tomlin, strategic market development manager, Microsoft.
About CompTIA
The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is the world’s leading technology association. With approximately 2,000 member companies, 3,000 academic and training partners, 100,000-plus registered users and more than two million IT certifications issued to technology professionals, CompTIA is dedicated to advancing industry growth through education and training programs, market intelligence and research, networking events, professional certifications and public advocacy. Visit CompTIA online, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter to learn more.
Latest benchmark results explain what’s going on in Australian PR consultancies right now
Every year, since 2001, the Public Relations Institute of Australia has run a business benchmark survey aimed at helping its PR consultancy members run growing , professional and profitable businesses.
Like many industry benchmark studies, it compares individual firm performance on a range of metrics against aggregated sector results. Continue reading “Latest benchmark results explain what’s going on in Australian PR consultancies right now”
OFX chooses Qualtrics to support client experience transformation
Qualtrics, the leader in experience management (XM), announced that OFX, a global business helping clients simplify the process of international monetary transfers, has selected the Qualtrics Experience Management Platform™ to accelerate their client experience transformation.
With plans to strengthen its global presence, OFX sought to leverage their critical point of differentiation, a seamless digital experience backed by knowledgeable, local client service teams.
Sarah Bernhardi, Commercial Director, OFX, said, “OFX chose Qualtrics because the platform allows us to monitor the client experience at multiple touchpoints across multiple channels. Feedback is real-time, meaning opportunities can be identified quickly, and OFX can easily prioritise the areas that need to change. Consequently, we’re seeing incremental changes every week that positively affect the customer experience as well as the employee experience.
“Using the Qualtrics XM Platform, OFX now has a very responsive closed-loop feedback system in place. Within two hours of feedback being received, someone from the client services team will contact the client to offer assistance. Having client services teams around the world means we can do this without delay.”
As a result of implementing the Qualtrics Experience Management Platform for real-time feedback, OFX’s approach to improving the client experience is much more responsive. This is made possible by the way OFX has deployed Qualtrics across the organisation, giving teams across the business access to real-time dashboards and reports, allowing teams within the organisation to dive deep into the insights that matter for their piece of the business.
Sarah Bernhardi said, “The goal with Qualtrics was to make information available to the people that need it without delay. From day one, we were adamant that we wouldn’t waste time converting the data into presentations. Instead, we provided the Qualtrics dashboard to as many people in the organisation that needed it, offering full transparency. This is a more powerful approach that demonstrates the priority we’ve placed on keeping the customer central to everything we do. Without Qualtrics we would not have been able to implement the client experience transformation at the speed at which we have done.”
Bill McMurray, Managing Director, Asia Pacific and Japan, Qualtrics, said, “Customer experience is rapidly becoming a key driver for business success. Companies that focus on customer experience effectively, addressing customer concerns and demonstrating genuine care for the customer, are seeing exceptional results. OFX identified the importance of the customer experience early. The secret to success of such programs is not just gathering feedback but deriving insights from that feedback and acting immediately to improve the customer experience. This is where companies can create a significant competitive advantage.”
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About Qualtrics
Qualtrics is the technology platform that organisations use to collect, manage, and act on experience data, also called X-data™. The Qualtrics XM Platform™ is a system of action, used by teams, departments, and entire organisations to manage the four core experiences of business—customer, product, employee and brand—on one platform. Over 9,000 enterprises worldwide, including more than 75 percent of the Fortune 100 and 99 of the top 100 U.S. business schools, rely on Qualtrics to consistently build products that people love, create more loyal customers, develop a phenomenal employee culture, and build iconic brands. To learn more, and for a free account, please visit www.qualtrics.com.
About OFX
OFX is an international money transfer specialist helping individuals and businesses move money around the world in an easier way, with competitive exchange rates. With OFX’s bank to bank transfers, customers can enjoy a streamlined digital experience, expert personal service and great rates allowing them to transfer when, where and how they want.
OFX. Where the world’s moving.
For more information, visit www.ofx.com.
Media training: how it can help even experienced executives perform better
Sometimes even the smartest and most confident individuals get it wrong when it comes to public speaking. If you’re a media spokesperson, getting it right is non-negotiable. That’s why media training is incredibly helpful for anyone planning to speak with a journalist. Continue reading “Media training: how it can help even experienced executives perform better”
How to prepare for interview success
When you’re speaking with a journalist, on the phone or face-to-face, your company’s reputation is in your hands. With the right guidance and preparation, you can turn this opportunity into a chance to gain positive attention for you and your business. Continue reading “How to prepare for interview success”