Beaudesert Chamber of Commerce members heard about cyber security when local woman Katrina Wright was guest speaker at the group’s most recent meeting.
Mrs Wright is a local mum, President of Gleneagle State School P and C and also works for a Brisbane-based cyber security firm which services the broader area.
At the Chamber meeting, she shared that 62 per cent of small to medium enterprises in Australia have reported a data security breach, and that professional services, education, healthcare and retail are the most targeted small business industry sectors globally.
She also reported that 60 pe cent of small companies go out of business within six months of falling victim to a data breach or cyber-attack.
Mrs Wright shared 10 tell-tale signs you’ve been hacked.
These included noticing strange network traffic patterns, your antivirus software being disabled, your cursor moving on the screen by itself, your browser having strange new toolbars, your passwords not working, your friends and family receiving strange messages from you, pop up ads continually popping up, your computer running slowly, internet searches being redirected and finding applications you didn’t install.
Mrs Wright urged Chamber members to be vigilant and shared information about the technologies available.
Chamber members also heard from 4WD industry stalwart Wendy Harris from Scenic Rim Adventure Park at Tamrookum about the successes and challenges of her business journey.
They received a 5-minute update from Councillor Michael Enright, including Council’s progress toward recruiting a new CEO, and an update on Beaudesert’s push for a PCYC from John Powell, the Chairman Beaudesert Chamber of Commerce PCYC Steering Group.
There was an update on the community’s push to reopen Duck Creek Road.
It was noted that several members had met with Council to progress the matter, particularly in light of the $32,000 in funds the Chamber collected via the Duck Creek Road donations box prior to the road’s closure in 2017.
Updates were also provided about plans for a fundraiser towards Beaudesert’s PCYC earmarked for late October, the Beaudesert High driver education night (13 September) and preparations for Beaudesert’s Christmas Carols in the Park (2 December).
