14-20th of November is International Fraud Awareness Week! This is a valuable opportunity to raise awareness and encourage everyone to consider their protection from fraud for their businesses.

We all have our part to play. Identifying scams is becoming increasingly difficult as scammers are always using new techniques to lure victims in.

To learn more about #fraudprevention and how you can protect your people and organisation contact us today.

 

What a fantastic day! Friday well spent with our vendors on the golf course celebrating 2021. It was great to finally spend some quality time in person to reconnect and enjoy the outdoors.

Thank you to everyone that joined us today for the Ladies of IT Charity Event.🥂 It was a lovely sun filled morning with around 50 of Melbourne’s hardest working and highest performing women from across all aspects of the IT space.

It was fantastic to reconnect post lockdown and support such a great cause!

Murdoch Webster is proud to complete the first Cisco UCS X-Series install in Australia with deployment across multiple data centers interconnected with a Cisco VXLAN EVPN fabric. The new Cisco UCS X-Series is the company’s latest generation of blade servers. Managed from the Cloud using Cisco Intersight, it is an adaptable, future-ready system engineered to simplify IT and innovate at the speed of software.

Let’s start the conversation on how it’ll integrate within your workplace today. 👏 https://lnkd.in/gV2VuZW5

The Security Legislation Amendment (Critical Infrastructure) Bill 2020 is working It’s way through parliament and has the potential to significantly change the scope of the security expectations for many organisations. You may have received an abundant amount of information for the Bill and now need to make appropriate amendments.

Murdoch Webster is here to proactively prepare your organisation for the further measures that will occur.

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO PREPARE FOR & HOW CAN WE HELP?

Critical Infrastructure is a heavily relied essential service that is crucial to our way of life. Critical infrastructure is increasingly interconnected and interdependent. Without having the proper protection needed can ultimately create vulnerability that can cause disruption and result in cascading consequences across our businesses, security and economic growth.

The amendments in this Bill will broaden the Critical Infrastructure scope which will include electricity, communications, transport and banking and expand to include food, water, health and finance.

This means that each organisation is required to implement or revisit their Cyber Security Strategy against threats ranging from natural hazards to human induced threats (including unlawful interference, cyber incidents, espionage, chemical or oil spills, and trusted insiders). The interconnected nature of our critical infrastructure means that compromise of one essential function can have a domino effect that degrades or disrupt others.

The revised Critical Infrastructure Bill introduces an ‘enhanced regulatory framework’. The strategy identifies three tiers of Critical Infrastructure that carry a different set of obligations which are discussed in detail below.

Any organisation that falls under Tier 1 will need to meet both ‘Positive & Enhanced Cyber Security Obligations’.

Any organisation that falls under Tier 2 will need to meet a ‘Positive Security Obligation’.

Any organisation that falls under Tier 3 will not need to meet additional obligations, however, will need to demonstrate the ability to effectively respond to Cyber Attacks & Protect Critical Infrastructure in a Cyber Emergency.

WHAT DOES THIS BILL MEAN FOR MY ORGANISATION?

Organisation’s must now:

• Have the ability to swiftly respond to Cyber Threats & promptly notify the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority of any impactful security incidents.

• Have a clearly defined Security Framework & Incident Response Plan.

• Have clearly defined responsibilities & security roles.

• Have up to date & regular Security Vulnerability Assessments to inform on organisations gaps & opportunities to uplift security across People, Process & Tech.

• Have a implemented Security Control to protect Critical Infrastructure Assets with regular maintenance to ensure effectiveness of controls.

Click the here to view the Australian Governments proposed changes of the Bill.

Sounds like A LOT! Everyone has a different understanding of Cyber Security and what it means for them. You may be a Tier 2 or 3 company and are unsure what you need to revisit, where you should focus or whether to act now. You may be a Tier 1 client and unsure if you meet the requirements you need to adhere to.

Murdoch Webster can help. We will help you determine what it is required for your organisation, how to proactively prepare & only focus on actions that are required to implement.

We work in partnership with Critical Infrastructure operators to strike a balance between uplifting security & ensuring businesses remain viable, sustainable, accessible & affordable. Strengthened networks, systems & services should be looked upon as an enabler ensuring the most important business functions are resilient during security attacks.

IS YOUR BUSINESS IMPACTED? Get in touch with Murdoch Webster to discuss if you’re effected & how to prepare.

If you have further interest, please reach out to Casey Ray to discuss how to best prepare for you critical infrastructure obligations.

Kind regards,

Casey Ray

Murdoch Webster

cray@mwtg.com.au

+61 434 522 983

We’re excited to announce that Nossal High School and Murdoch Webster (MWTG) have been selected by a panel of Palo Alto Networks executives as the overall winner for the Awards for Excellence in Superior IT Security (Category: SMB).

As a Palo Alto Networks Certified Professional Services Partner (CPSP) and Platinum Partner we worked closely with Mark and the team at Nossal High School to deliver a high performance, best-in-class cybersecurity platform that dramatically simplified and evolved their threat defense posture on campus and for the growing footprint of teachers, staff and students working remotely.

“With the help of MWTG, we have migrated to a state-of-the-art cybersecurity solution that protects sensitive faculty and student data. The new system is fully integrated into the existing infrastructure and still allows the Department of Education to keep control over the administrative desktops. We are delighted with the results.”

— Mark Humphries, ICT Manager, Nossal High School

We’re very proud to support fantastic clients such as Nossal High School. If you would like to read the full case study you may download it here.

As we approach the end of the 20/21 financial year, we’re excited to continue to grow the team here at Murdoch Webster with Mick Haigh bringing his formidable experience and skillset to the technical team.

With a career spanning nearly 3 decades, Mick brings his CCIE depths of experience, knowledge and excellence in data centre networking to the team.

Having worked across major networking, data centre and cloud transformation projects in Europe and Asia, Mick brings focus and clarity to his work.

A technologist to the bone, Mick enthusiastically follows the SpaceX Starship construction. On the weekend you’ll find Mick out for a run or a careful ride careening down a hill on his bike.

If you come across Mick with his high end camera gear, you can feel a kinship with Mick as an avid yet amateur photographer knowing that he has indeed invested a small fortune.

If you’d like to reach out to Mick for a conversation he can be contacted on mhaigh@mwtg.com.au.

Regards,

Chris Mearns
CTO & Founder

There are few venues that shine as bright as the Atrium on a lovely Autumn morning. It was a lovely sun filled morning with around 40 of Melbourne’s hardest working and highest performing women from across all aspects of the information technology space.

“A great opportunity to connect and learn from the experiences of other mums in IT. Moreover, it allowed me to validate that I’m not doing enough. Cybersecurity education must be an on-going effort so my kids can cross navigate today’s digital world confidently and safely.“ – one of our fantastic femmes

Lisa Sim, Director of the Cyber Safe Kids Program from Palo Alto Networks joined us for a fantastic conversation on how, as active mothers, aunts and sisters we can better support, guide and protect the kids in our busy lives.

 

#CyberSafeKids

Digital media and technology present immense opportunities in the growth and success of our kids. But alongside this there are threats and vulnerabilities that parents/adults need to teach kids to protect themselves from.

That’s everything from unwanted contact and offensive content through to online bullying.

As a shared responsibility between families, educators, government, industry and the wider community. we must look beyond just managing screen time / device use and explore ways you can co-create quality online and offline family time and connection. Prevention is better than remediation so we must look for creative ways to teach our kids awareness and skills so they can learn early.

Palo Alto Networks offers free educational resources on cyber safety for kids, called Cyber A.C.E.S (Activities in Cybersecurity Education for Students) alongside free tertiary level resources to universities/TAFEs to offer cyber security skills/training in their curriculum.

Cyber A.C.E.S. is part of a continuing effort to drive social impact through cybersecurity education. The Cybersecurity Academy Program focuses on inspiring students of all backgrounds to pursue careers in cybersecurity and ensure secure experiences in the digital world. Everyone is encouraged to take advantage of this content and share these free lessons with their local schools or community programs.

It is the mission of Cyber A.C.E.S to equip students with the next-generation cybersecurity knowledge and skills to succeed in today’s rapidly changing cyber-threat landscape.

Start your child’s cyber safe journey today.

We are planning another Ladies of IT – Pink Ribbon Breakfast for October, 2021 and would love to have you along, so keep an eye on your email for that invite in the not too distant future.

Please reach out via ltaylor@mwtg.com.au if you would like to be added to the list of inspiring women who work across our local IT industry.

Have a wonderful Mother’s Day weekend! 🌹

Warmest Regards,

Leanne Taylor & the Murdoch Webster team

We are excited to announce and welcome Casey Ray to the Murdoch Webster family in April, Casey brings excellent Enterprise Networking and Security sales experience to our business.

With over 10 years’ experience at O2 Networks and Telstra Purple, her drive, passion and energy will be a huge asset to the growing Murdoch Webster team.

Casey is extremely well respected in the industry and has forged long term relationships with many clients over the years, a testament to her client focus and drive to succeed.

Not only is Casey an awesome Sales Executive but a very talented singer. Check here amazing voice out below:

If you would like to reach out to Casey at Murdoch Webster she can be contacted on cray@mwtg.com.au

Regards,

Michael Burt
Director

As the Easter period quickly approaches, we’re excited to announce that the Murdoch Webster family continues to grow in 2021.

Joining the consulting team on Monday, Nick’s deep knowledge and customer experience across our core technical competencies will enable us to continue along our accelerated growth path.

With a mature and experienced approach to solutions delivery, Nick strikes a firm natural balance between technology driven outcomes and best practice processes that support a customer’s unique needs.

In his downtime Nick enjoys a great round of golf that when done perfectly, should be followed up with a glass of wine or dram of top shelf whisky.

If you’d like to reach out to Nick for a conversation he can be contacted on nthanos@mwtg.com.au.

Regards,

Chris Mearns
CTO & Founder

‘Tis the Season to embrace time with family and friends! It’s also the perfect time to navigate IT security, productivity, and user growth into 2021 and beyond.

With the sharp growth in online collaboration and working from home, now is the perfect moment to assess your digital workplace needs with a range of timely ‘technology assessment’ services.

Phishing Simulation

We are excited and pleased to announce our successful inclusion in CRN’s Fast50 for 2020.

Coming in at #30 is a fantastic achievement. On behalf of our growing team I’d like to thank our customers, vendors and partners that underpin our continued growth and success.

I’m sure that we can all agree, it’s been an unprecedented year on many fronts and we are truly humbled by the depth of trust, integrity and partnership shown throughout our broad and diverse community.

Thanks again to CRN for this recognition, we look forward to a new calendar year that brings health and safety at home coupled with further success and prosperity for all.

Regards,
Michael

Michael Burt | Director
Murdoch Webster

About CRN Fast50:

Now in its 12th year, the CRN Fast50 recognises the fastest-growing companies in the Australian IT channel, based on year-on-year revenue growth. The entry and judging process runs from July to October.

By adhering to a strictly numbers-based formula, we have ensured that the CRN Fast50 continues to earn respect and recognition as the only awards program in the Australian technology industry that truly recognises the best businesses based on hard numbers.