This year marked a clear shift in how Australian organisations talk about cyber security. What was once seen as a technical concern increasingly became a leadership issue discussed at the executive and board level. Cyber incidents did not just affect systems. They disrupted operations, delayed services, and tested business continuity plans.

Manufacturing and production companies are now top targets for ransomware and the reasons are clear. Downtime isn't just inconvenient in this sector; it's costly. Every minute of disruption can ripple through supply chains and derail delivery schedules.

As the holiday season ramps up, so does cyber risk. Increased digital activity, reduced staffing, and urgent end-of-year pressures make this a prime window for threat actors. While businesses focus on customer demands and closing out the year, attackers exploit the lull in vigilance.

Many organisations feel more confident about their cybersecurity posture than ever. They’ve invested in tools, run awareness sessions, and implemented policies. But confidence is not competence... and that gap is where real risk lives.