Business
Is NZ Vulnerable To Cyber-Attacks? And What Does That Mean To You?
In 2019, hackers infiltrated Texas local body government computer systems. They seized control, blocked access to vital data, and demanded a huge ransom. Is NZ vulnerable to similar attacks?

In 2019, hackers infiltrated Texas local body government computer systems. They seized control, blocked access to vital data, and demanded a huge ransom. Is NZ vulnerable to similar attacks?.
The Texas government learned from the $10 million Baltimore disaster and paid out the $2.5 million ransom demand quickly, regained control, and patched the leak. But they didn’t learn their lesson and in 2020 was hacked again, using ransomware that invaded computers and encrypted files in the transportation department.
Closer to home, Australia has been facing increased cyber attacks from overseas. Malicious attacks from sophisticated entities targeted a range of Australian sectors, both private and government. This has resulted in increased controls and defenses against the attackers.
1. Why worry about cyber-attacks?
Cyber attacks are dangerous in a range of ways:
- Release of private, personal, or confidential information. This is a risk for all organizations- businesses having customer details shared, or sensitive financial information. For governments, the risk of almost anything going public is enormous.
- I am holding computer systems to hostage. This means no access to information, and the possibility of data being destroyed.
- Mis-use of computer systems. This is hugely worrying; traffic light controls, operating power plants, almost anything that can be controlled remotely can also be taken over and used maliciously.
- Loss of money. The goal for some hackers is income from extortion. Also, businesses may lose money- and trust- from their users.
These threats aren’t just from a hacker in a darkened bedroom somewhere either; business competitors, state threats, and organizations such as Anonymous all have various aims or goals. If you want to Protect from cyber-attacks use any of the antivirus software of these two Mcafee vs avast.
2. Does this matter to you?
As an individual, a business owner, or citizen, this is a threat that you should be worried about. Not just for your data’s privacy, your business’s compliance with GRC and security, or to stay safe in an increasingly digital Tech world, but for the safety of your country.
While security affects your workplace, your ability to work securely from home, and the ramifications from that, there are also other much broader implications.
3. What is NZ doing about cybersecurity?
Eight years as Prime Minister, Sir John said his roles on the board of the cybersecurity company Palo Alto Networks & as the chairperson of ANZ Bank New Zealand, had given him insights into the escalating threats New Zealand businesses face.
“Individuals, companies, governments they play by the rules,” said Sir John, who spoke alongside Microsoft Managing Director, Vanessa Sorenson, at the launch of Umbrellar Connect.
Everyone, from individuals to the state, needs to keep their systems safe from cybercrime.
Individuals: Consider having a password system such as LastPass, which allows you to securely store passwords, create complex random passwords, and detect if passwords are too weak. This means your log-ins are far more secure and less likely to be hacked.
Have a tricky password for your Wi-Fi (not 12345678 or ‘password123’). Also, think about your IoT, and all digital-enabled items in your home need to be protected. A smart refrigerator was hacked in 2014 and used to send spam – all smart devices run this risk.
If you work from home and have secure access to your employer’s computer system, ensure you follow all best practices. Don’t log on in insecure connections, don’t share your password, and don’t leave your laptop unattended.
Businesses and governments: You need to invest time and money into your cybersecurity. Hire specialists that can help you pinpoint where your weaknesses are and then plug the gaps. As well as a robust system for passwords and staff, there are technical things to investigate, such as firewalls.
One of your most significant weaknesses is your staff- training them to identify cyber threats and manage them. McAfee estimates over 100 billion malicious scans each day and thousands of phishing and ransomware attacks. This is not IF, this is WHEN.
Regular system maintenance and keeping up to date with the latest threats is vital. Scammers and hackers move fast and will exploit all gaps in process, software, and hardware. While hiring professionals to manage this may seem expensive, they will find and security vulnerabilities.
The cost of not doing this should be losing everything.
Encrypting and backing up are an excellent means of defense. Backing up, off-site, securely, is not just a must in case of physical disaster where your business cannot access the location, but also a safety net in case systems are hacked. If you have a backup of everything, hackers refusing to obtain your order are less catastrophic.
Also, encrypting information, running things through VPNs, and multiple security layers make a hacker’s job much more difficult.
If cyber threats aren’t taken seriously, there could be some extremely unpleasant and unexpected consequences. All online systems are vulnerable, and keeping them safe should be a priority for businesses, individuals, and governments.
Finally, listen to what others say. Zoom suffered an embarrassing and challenging setback when a social media influencer hacker found several weaknesses in their software and then Tweeted about it.
This spawned a string of security incidents with an in-demand service at the global pandemic height when more companies were moving their operations online. Governments have also been warned in the past about possible security flaws, only for further breaches to be made.
Think about it now, before it is too late. If you’re unsure, ask Garmin, who was hacked in July 2020, and resulted in global outages, runners, and cyclists who can’t track their training and ongoing problems.
Business
Six Ways You Can Start an Online Counseling Business
Counseling is an essential service, especially during a pandemic. Here are ways for you to start an online counseling business.

counseling is one of the most critical aspects of mental health. It can provide individuals with the tools to cope with their mental health issues. counseling can help people understand and manage their emotions, set boundaries, communicate effectively, and develop healthy coping mechanisms. Additionally, counseling can provide support and guidance during difficult times.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues, don’t hesitate to seek counseling services. counseling can make a world of difference in managing mental health issues; however, good for you if you want to start a career in online counseling! It’s a great career choice.
It would help if you did a few things to start an online counseling business. Here are seven steps you can take to get started:
Table of Contents
1. Research the field of online counseling
Before you start your business, it’s essential to research the field of online counseling. This will give you a better understanding of the industry and what it takes to succeed. Additionally, research can help you identify potential opportunities and challenges in starting an online counseling business.
There are many resources online you can check out. The Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES) is a great place to start. ACES provides resources and information for counselors, educators, and supervisors. Also, the American Psychological Association has a helpful website with resources for mental health professionals.
There are also many books you can invest in if you want to know the basics of counseling. Make sure to invest in them.
2. Get certified as a counselor.
To start an online counseling business, you need to be certified as a counselor. This will ensure that you have the necessary credentials to provide counseling services. There are many ways to become certified as a counselor. The American Counseling Association (ACA) offers certification in several areas, including Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), National Certified Counselor (NCC), and Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern (RMHCI).
Another way to become certified is through the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). The NBCC offers the Master Addictions Counselor (MAC) credential. To be eligible for this credential, you must have a master’s degree in counseling from an accredited institution and pass the National Counselor Exam for Addictions Counselors (NCEAC).
To become a certified counselor, you must meet specific requirements. These requirements vary depending on the credentialing organization. However, most organizations require you to have a master’s degree in counseling, complete an internship, and pass a national exam.
3. Choose your specialty area.
After you’ve done your research and decided to enter the field of online counseling, it’s time to choose your specialty area. Consider your interests, experiences, strengths, and weaknesses when choosing a specialty area. It’s essential to select a place that you’re passionate about to provide quality services to your clients.
Some of the most popular specialty areas include marriage and family counseling, substance abuse counseling, mental health counseling, and trauma counseling.
Once you’ve chosen your specialty area, you can build your knowledge base by taking courses, reading books, and attending conferences.
4. Build your website
Your website is one of the most critical aspects of your online counseling business. Therefore, it’s essential to ensure that your website is professional and informative. Your website should include information about your services, rates, contact information, and a blog.
Additionally, your website should be easy to navigate and user-friendly. Prospective clients should be able to find what they’re looking for easily. They’re likely to leave your site and look elsewhere if they can’t.
5. Do Content Marketing
Content marketing is a great way to attract new clients to your online counseling business. Content marketing is creating and sharing content (such as blog posts, infographics, videos, etc.) relevant to your target audience. Content marketing aims to attract potential clients to your website and convert them into paying customers.
You can also try hiring an SEO expert to help you out. Certain companies, such as SEO services, can help you out. These experts know how to increase visits to your website and increase the number of clients you have in no time.
6. Use social media
Social media is a great way to promote your online counseling business. It allows you to reach a large audience with minimal effort. When using social media, it’s essential to be professional and consistent. Post interesting and informative content that will engage your followers.
Additionally, make sure to post regularly and interact with your followers. They’re likely to lose interest and stop following you if you don’t. Some of the most popular social media platforms for counselors include Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
Starting an online counseling business can be a great way to help people during a pandemic. There are several ways to become certified as a counselor, and it’s essential to choose an area that you’re passionate about. You should also build your website and do content marketing to attract new clients. Additionally, use social media to promote your business. These are just a few things you can do to start your own online counseling business.
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