Our cybersecurity expert, David, has been making waves on the speaker circuit, and his recent presentation at the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA) Queensland Conference in March 2023, was no exception. Building on his success at the IPA National Congress on the Gold Coast last year, where he was acknowledged as a top-five speaker, David was invited back to share his insights on one of the most pressing concerns in the digital era: cyber security.

David's presentation, titled "Anatomy of a Cyber Attack: The top ways your Practice could be breached and what to do in the aftermath," hit close to home for many. In 2022, Queensland had the dubious distinction of topping the list of reported cybercrimes in Australia. Although not as certain as death and taxes, the chilling statistic is that a cyber attack will impact more than 80% of Australian businesses at some point.

David meticulously broke down the common mechanisms of cyber breaches, helping his audience understand their workings and potential impact. It's one thing to hear about cyber threats in abstract terms, but David brought the reality home with case studies from Queensland businesses who had faced the nightmare of Ransomware attacks, Business Email Compromise, Social Engineering, and even Internal Staff Fraud. One story, in particular hit home – a small business devastated by cybercrime, a stark reminder of the potential consequences.

The 80-strong audience keenly absorbed the reality of cyber threats. The aim wasn't to spread fear, but to spread awareness, and while the examples served as a wake-up call to the dangers lurking in the digital shadows.

However, David didn't leave the attendees mired in doom and gloom. He expertly navigated through the dark labyrinth of cyber threats to shine a light on practical steps businesses can take in the face of a breach. His advice was aimed at helping the audience, equipping them with the knowledge of what to do and who to contact if the worst should happen.

David's presentation was a vital reminder that in our hyperconnected world, cybersecurity is no longer a luxury but a necessity. It is our mission as at FortiTech to equip Australian businesses with the tools and knowledge to combat these invisible threats. 

We are honoured to have been part of this important conversation at the IPA Queensland Conference, and we look forward to continuing to share our expertise to help secure businesses in this digital age.