Wikipedia states: “Computer security, also known as cybersecurity or IT security, is the protection of information systems from theft or damage to the hardware, the software, and to the information on them, as well as from disruption or misdirection of the services they provide.”
Can we ensure our organisation has zero risk of cyber security issues?
No, in the same way a bank cannot guarantee it will never be at risk or loss from fraud, theft by armed robbery, loss from a client business failing and many other matters – it’s generally not possible to be completely immune from Cyber Security risks.
Instead, an organisation must put policies and systems in place (as a bank does) to reduce the risks associated with Cyber Security.
Is New Zealand safer in terms of Cyber Security risks due to being a small remote country?
In, short, No. By being connected to the Internet we are at similar risk to any other country. And some such as Cisco have argued we’re at great risk due to our small businesses often having poor cyber security practices and by virtue of the interaction between businesses this can increase the risks for any organisation a poorly protected business works with.
My business is small – surely there is no reason fraudsters and hackers would target me?
Unfortunately in an Internet connected world everyone is a target. In fact many attacks are random in nature and often small to medium enterprises (SMEs) are the first to be hit due to having more relaxed Cyber Security Practices.
