Keeping personal information safe is no longer just the responsibility of privacy officers or IT teams. In today’s digital environment, where data is essential for almost every function of government and service delivery, privacy protection should be embedded in every role and decision.
This year’s Privacy Awareness Week theme, “Privacy: it’s everyone’s business”, is a timely reminder that security and privacy are shared responsibilities.
In Australia, data breaches were the most common form of attack, accounting for 54 percent of reported incidents in 2023, compared to the global average of 38 percent. And with new laws now requiring the disclosure of ransomware payments, directors and business owners are under more pressure than ever to demonstrate that reasonable steps have been taken to prevent or contain privacy breaches.
Many breaches stemmed not from sophisticated tools but from common issues such as weak passwords, lack of multi-factor authentication (MFA), and human error.
The reality is that privacy cannot be maintained without a strong cyber resilience posture. That includes ensuring basic safeguards like MFA are widely adopted, payment processes include verification steps, and staff are trained to spot red flags like suspicious emails or changes to supplier bank details.
At Ingram Micro, we work closely with leading local IT service providers, including the team at Precision IT, to proactively defend against evolving cyber threats and build resilient, privacy-conscious environments.
Mark Holden, Technical Operations Lead at Precision IT, says phishing remains one of the most common entry points for attackers. “The most common vulnerability cyber attackers exploit is human error,” he says. “Phishing remains one of the most effective methods to trigger ransomware attacks. This is exactly why regular staff training is critical.”
However, being cyber resilient goes beyond technical controls. It requires a culture where people feel comfortable pausing, questioning, and reporting anything that seems off—without fear. Security awareness training, phishing simulations, and visibility into potential credential exposures all support this proactive mindset.
Credential stuffing—where attackers test stolen passwords across multiple platforms—is another risk often overlooked. “It’s a low-effort, high-reward attack,” says Holden. “If accounts aren’t protected with multi-factor authentication, it’s only a matter of time before one gets hit.
Beyond day-to-day operations, privacy is also a strategic and national issue. Critical infrastructure networks are increasingly being targeted because of the sensitive data they hold and the broad disruption a single incident can cause. According to the Australian Government’s Annual Cyber Threat Report 2023-2024, more than 11 percent of the cybersecurity incidents responded to by the Australian Signals Directorate involved critical infrastructure. A compromise in these systems can affect the economy and the lives of everyday Australians.
To manage this growing risk landscape, frameworks like the ACSC’s Essential Eight can provide a useful baseline, but they only work if implemented early and reviewed regularly. Understanding what data you hold, where it’s stored, who has access, and how to respond to a breach is essential.
Ben Le Huray has a remarkable background in IT with over 13 years of expertise from his time at Ingram Micro. He serves as Solutions Architect Team Leader and Technical Solutions Consultant. Ben has a wealth of knowledge in cloud computing, pre-sales and enterprise solutions. He demonstrates a proven ability to enhance customer success through strategic technical guidance.
Before joining Ingram Micro, he held leadership positions at Harris Technology and Cellnet Group, where he oversaw software licencing, sales teams and enterprise solutions. Ben holds a Bachelor of Science in Computing and Information Systems from Macquarie University and maintains various industry certifications, such as Fortinet Expert and VMware Certified Professional.
Ben is known for his dedication to customer satisfaction and guidance. He merges technical expertise with business insight to provide effective IT solutions.
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