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The article reports that several Western Australian (WA) government agencies have been asked to improve their database security after the state's auditor general Colin Murphy found weak passwords, inadequate patching and a lack of control over user privileges during an audit, as of November 2015. Topics include the systems audited in several agencies including Murdoch University, WA Department of Health, and the Department of Attorney General.

The article reports on the findings by Western Australia (WA) Auditor General Colin Murphy regarding the vulnerabilities with data access, software updates and passwords in application review of several agencies. Topics include the assessment of the Department of Attorney General's Integrated Court Management System, Legal Aid Commission WA's Law Office and the U.S. Department of Local Government and Communities' WA Seniors Card management system.

The article presents information on a survey of Galaxy Research/Mimecast regarding the payment of ransomware demands by information technology (IT) managers in Australia. Topics include the unlikelihood that the surveyed firms will pay a ransom, the virus preparation initiative of IT managers, and the spending of IT departments on e-mail security. It also mentions data hosting, latency and application performance, and co-location data centers.

The article reports on the significant amount of transactions operated by bank company National Australia Bank Ltd. (NAB) in its data centre at Deer Park in Melbourne, Victoria everyday.

The article reports on the plan of grant firm Rimon Advisory to invest in seed capital through its Rimon Investments fund for startups in Australia in 2015. Topics discussed include the financial assistance plan of Rimon for technology startups, the coverage of the fund, and its relationships with entrepreneurs for business opportunities.

The article reports on the streamlined cyber policy structure required in Australia. Topics discussed include the significance of streamlined cyber policy structure in the country, its strong cyber security preparenedness rating, the governance of its cyber security through private organization engagement and its cyber crime units.

The article discusses the decline in the number of privacy complaints received by the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner for its 2015 fiscal year compared to the year before. Topics included are the improvement cited in the annual report on the level of awareness of issues addressed in the Privacy Act reforms, the mobilization by acting Australian Information Commissioner Timothy Pilgrim of management resources, and the increase in voluntary data breach notifications.

The article reports on the agreed amount to be paid by telecommunications firm TeleChoice Inc. for credit monitoring of privacy breach-affected customers in Australia in 2015. Topics discussed include the personal information from shipping containers, the investigation of the Australian Information Commissioner Timothy Pilgrim on the privacy breach, and the plight of TeleChoice to improve its information security.

The article reports on the projected growth in digital revenues in Australia and New Zealand in five years following 2015. Topics discussed include the expectation of chief executive officers (CIOs) on digital revenue increase, the intensity of digitalisation in business operations, and the consideration of digital business as a competitive advantage source.

The article discusses a review of the Space Activities Act 1998 and of 2001 regulations by the Australian government. Topics included are evaluation by Industry, Innovation and Science Minister Christopher Pyne of legislation pertaining to the ability of local companies to keep up with developments in space technology and the contribution of satellite data to sustaining industrial and agricultural productivity as well as in disaster response and environmental management.

The article discusses support, maintenance and enhancements contract awarded by the Western Australia Public Trustee agency under director Terry Hearn to technology firm Unisys. Topics included are the administration of legal and financial affairs through the Management Accounting Trust Environment system, the engagement of Unisys for customization of the client information management system sold by the Queensland Public Trustee, and the establishment of the Give2Good community foundation.

The article discusses the correction of misconfiguration issues affecting network switches, access points and device ports throughout Deakin University campuses in Victoria. Topics included are the deployment of SolarWinds Network PerformanceMonitor, Network Configuration Management and User Device Tracker systems for consistent network operations and the collaboration in automation projects with technology firm Cisco by information technology leader Daniel Cleary.

The article discusses the elevate61 accelerator program launched by the KPMG Australia and Advance for later-stage Australian enterprise ventures. Topics included are the eligibility for mentoring of firms reaching initial seed and revenue thresholds, their introduction to business connections in San Francisco, LosAngeles and New York, and the assistance for international expansion cited by Advance chief executive officer Serafina Maiorano.

The article discusses the New South Wales (NSW) government agencies' signing up to Microsoft for the access of its cloud and mobility services such as Office 365. Topics include the first five departments to use the cloud with their services, a remark from NSW finance minister Dominic Perrottet regarding the agreement, and the launch of additional GovDC-hosted cloud applications.

The article discusses the plans to transform the White Bay Power Station and the surrounding area in Sydney's Bays Precinct in New South Wales (NSW) into a high-technology business hub by NSW Premier Mike Baird.

The article discusses a BMC's 20th mainframe research report survey that studies Australian companies' investment on mainframe computers. Topics include the reasons why Australian businesses still invest in mainframes, an overview of the survey result percentages based on investment reasons, and the top priorities of those companies for 2016.

The article discusses the launch of MasterCard's Identity Check system, which includes one-time SMS passwords and biometrics, in 2017. Topics include the system's goal according to MasterCard Australasia president of enterprise security solution Ajay Bhalla, the results of a global online survey MasterCard conducted, and an overview of the Australian banks that started using biometric features for their mobile applications.

The article details the efforts of Victoria University researchers in Melbourne to develop privacy algorithms which will be incorporated into an electronic data system. Topics discussed include the use of the algorithm to allow medical researchers to safely access and share electronic data, the vulnerability of electronic health records to internal attacks, and the privacy and clinical safety risks associated with intertwined customer records.

The article highlights the testimony of Minister for Communications Mitch Fifield before a Senate Committee in October 2015 to confirm the National Broadband Network (NBN) rollout plan in Australia.

The article describes a method of identifying invisible fingerprints which could be used by law enforcement agencies. Topics discussed include the development of the method by Doctor Kang Liang, a materials scientist at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), the use of digital devices to capture images of the fingerprints, and the effective use of extremely porous metal organic framework (MOF) crystals in forensic sciences.

The article reports on the steps that companies can make to avoid a convincing social engineering scam which targeted Centrify employees in 2014 and 2015. Topics covered include the email from the company's chief financial officer (CFO) requesting a wire transfer and how cyber criminals had taken the time to research through the company's website.

The article reports that the Northern Territory government has revealed the details of which remote communities will get mobile phone services in Australia in October 2015. Topics covered include the fixed broadband services, the three-year Telstra agreement, and the federal government's mobile black spots program.

The article reports on the direct deal signed by Kogan Mobile with Vodafone after experiencing difficulties with Telstra reseller ispONE in Sydney, New South Wales in October 2015. Topics covered include how Telstra moved all active Kogan Mobile services to a limited 7-day plan and the terms of the third generation (3G) network deal with Vodafone.

The article reports that Austalia's Department of Education and Training is set to launch the Australian Apprenticeships Management System (AAMS) to automate manual and paper-based processes involved with apprenticeship administration in 2016. Topics covered include how the information technology (IT) platform will replace the Youth Internet Management System (TYIMS) and the awarding of the contract to NEC Australia to build the system.

The article offers information on the electrochemical evaluation robot developed by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) researchers in Australia.

The article discusses Ponemon Institute's 2015 Cost of Cyber Crime Study which examined the costs incurred by 28 Australian organizations victimized by cyber crime which ranged from 782,932 up to 18 million Australian dollars. Topics discussed include the increase in the average time it to resolve a cyber attack to 31 days and the most costly cyber crimes that were caused by malicious insiders, distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks and malicious code.

The article discusses the McAfee Labs report, The Hidden Data Economy, which found that the average price for stolen credit and debit cards online ranged from 21 to 40 Australian dollars. Researchers found a value hierarchy in how payment card data is packaged, priced and sold online and prices increase if there is more information like the bank account ID number, the victim's date of birth and information categorized as "Fullzinfo" that includes the victim's billing address and PIN number.

The article warns that software maker Microsoft will end support and security updates for SQL Server 2005 software on April 12, 2016. Microsoft cloud and enterprise marketing corporate vice president Takeshi Numoto advises companies to upgrade to SQL Server 2014 in order to avoid risk of business disruptions, security and compliance issues. It adds that organisations can take advantage of security features like Windows Server Core support as well as enhancements including performance and scale.

The article reports that Sydney, Australia based security startup Dekko Secure was chosen for Microsoft's BizSpark Plus program where it has to access to Azure cloud services to scale its business.

The article offers information on IBM's Watson client experience center in Melbourne, Australia wherein enterprises can try its cognitive computing technology and tools. The Watson technology involves systems that interact with humans and the centre which may serve as a collaboration hub for enterprises, government and startups. It cites ANZ Global Wealth which uses the Watson Engagement Advisor at its Sydney Grow centre to help answer customer questions.

The article discusses the criticism by Greens party member of parliament Adam Bandt of the law exempting private Australian companies from public disclosure of tax details. Topics included are the passage of the Tax and Superannuation Laws Amendment (Better Targeting the Incomes Tax Transparency Laws) Bill, the encouragement of corporate tax avoidance with the removal of transparency, and the explanation provided by Assistant Treasurer Kelly O'Dwyer and Treasury official Joe Hockey.

The article discusses the rollout of the broadband services five-year plan of the National Broadband Network (nbn) for Australian homes and businesses. Topics included are the inclusion of localities set for nbn Hybrid Fibre Coaxial television network and fixed wireless service coverage, the additional availability of broadband access in Australian states cited by chief executive officer Bill Morrow, and the utilization of existing copper and cable infrastructure.

The article discusses warnings raised by the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network under chief executive officer Teresa Corbin on the exclusion of certain areas by National Broadband Network (nbn) in their broadband services rollout plan. Topics included are the firm's plan to use Hybrid Fibre Coaxial television networks to connect premises and the appeal to Telstra and other telecommunications companies to provide alternative solutions.

The article reports that Infrastructure Services Group Management (ISGM) has re-signed an outsourcing agreement with Telstra underpinning the latter's confidence in ISGM managing its external workforce to delivery superior customer service levels.

The article announces that Australia's National Broadband Network (NBN) chief operating officer (COO) Greg Adcock will leave the company by early 2016, while executive general manager Peter Ryan will be interim chief network engineering officer at the network engineering and deployment department.

The article discusses the use of Vix Technology's smartcard payment system at the Royal Melbourne Show in Victoria in September 2015.

The article presents the ratings of Australia's mobile networks Telstra, Optus and Vodafone, according to the CommsDay and P3 Communications 2015 Mobile Benchmark survey, based on test metrics including voice call quality, success rates and file upload and download speeds. Topics discussed include Telstra having the best score in almost all categories, Vodafone placing third and Optus' achieving 99.7 percent for YouTube (SD) playback without buffering in metro cities.

The article reports that some telecommunication service providers do not understand what data they are required to retain under the Data Retention Act based on a Communications Alliance survey in Australia in October 2015. Topics covered include how telecommunication firms and Internet service providers (ISP) will be required to retain a range of customer data for 24 months.

The article reports that the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) is running a trial of its Offers application at Westfield Hornsby in Sydney, New South Wales, from October to December 31, 2015. Topics covered include how the app allows customers to opt-in to receive tailored offers from merchants like discounted food and coffee.

The article reports on the launch of the taxi application and website called Ticktoc in Victoria in October 2015. Topics covered include the completely legal ride-sharing services, how customers will have access to more than 250 hire cars and 500 taxis, and the barcode reader that operates like Victoria's public transport system myki.

The article reports on the investigation being conducted by the New South Wales Police regarding a threat directed at University of New South Wales (UNSW) students and staff posted on anonymous message board 4Chan in October 2015.

The article reports that Telstra chief executive officer (CEO) Andrew Penn has criticized the decision of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) that operators who access the Telstra copper network will be rewarded a 9.4 percent drop in access prices in October 2015. Topics covered include the fixed line access services covered by the drop such as fixed terminating access service (FTAS) and line sharing service (LSS).

The article reports on the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) documents released by nonprofit journalistic organization Wikileaks. Topics tackled in the TPP document are web site blocking by Internet service providers and criminal penalties for the circumvention of Digital Rights Management (DRM). Concerns about the TPP agreement (TPP) and its potential changes to digital copyright and intellectual property laws are discussed.

The article reports on the request made by Internet Australia for Australian federal government to review the Data Retention Act are there are security issues and costs that need to be addressed. It raises concern about the struggle of Internet service providers (ISP) to comply with the legislation. Several areas of the law suggested for review are discussed including the length of data retention, level of oversight within agencies, and location and methods of data storage needs.

The article announces the celebration of Stay Smart Online week in Sydney, New South Wales, which starts on October 12, 2015, with a focus on increasing online security awareness for small businesses.

The article reports on the initiative of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to deny authorization to ihail software application of private bus operator Cabcharge as ACCC believes it could impact taxi prices and quality of service. It discusses the concern raised by the ACCC about Cabcharge's proposed priority dispatch payment and the potential of ihail to reduce competition between taxi networks in supplying services.

The article reports on a security warning issued by the University of New South Wales (UNSW) after threats were made via social media against the campus.

The article reports on the response of private bus operator Cabcharge to the decision of Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to deny the launch of the ihailtaxi application for its Australian taxi brands as the agency believes it could impact taxi prices and quality of service. A statement from Cabcharge Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Andrew Skelton regarding local market competition and the operation of mandatory in-application payment is presented.

The article reveals the Windows 10 operating system scam in Australia, according to Scamwatch. It explains how a computer can be infected by malware by upgrading to Windows 10 as instructed by e-mails sent to Australian users. Also noted is the update to the Windows Event Viewer scam which is said to involve telemarketers from an offshore call center.

The article announces the promotions of three managing directors at telecommunications company Telstra including Karsten Wildberger named head of group executive retail, Cynthia Whelan appointed group executive of international and new business, and Joe Pollard named chief marketing officer (CMO) and head of group executive media.