https://www.pymnts.com/news/b2b-payments/2019/bec-scams-nearly-double-over-three-years/

BEC Scams Nearly Double Over Three Years

Business E-mail Compromise (BEC) fraud has been gaining ground and growing in terms of number of incidences, according to a recent report.

As noted by the Financial Crime Enforcement Network (FinCEN),  the number of reports of BEC rose to a monthly average of more than 1,100 in 2018, where the tally had been 500 in 2016. The data was reported in the July 2019 Financial Trend Analysis report.

That translates to a value of attempted BEC threats that jumped from $110 million monthly in 2016 to $301 million monthly in 2018.

https://psnews.com.au/2019/07/29/new-security-guide-for-mog-changes/

New security guide for MoG changes

The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) has developed a new publication to assist Agencies and businesses going through Machinery of Government (MoG) or other changes to manage the increased cyber security risks the changes bring.

https://www.themandarin.com.au/112727-acsc-gives-advice-on-cyber-security-during-mergers-acquisitions-and-machinery-of-government-changes/

ACSC gives advice on cyber security during mergers, acquisitions and machinery of government changes

Businesses undergoing major organisational change are attractive targets for cyberattacks, according to the Australian Cyber Security Centre.

To combat this, ACSC has developed a guide for organisations to use during high-risk transformative times. For example, when data is being migrated from one system to another. 

https://www.afr.com/companies/retail/brexit-headache-for-australian-wine-20190729-p52bno

Brexit headache for Australian wine

KEY POINTS

• UK supermarkets asked Australian wine producers to increase shipments earlier this year so they could build up stock levels in warehouses ahead of all possible eventualities on Brexit.
• Demand from British wine drinkers has softened, and that may be because of overall uncertainty about Breixt at a broader consumer level.
• Accolade Wines runs a huge bottling plant near Bristol in the UK which bottles wine sent from Australia in large plastic ''bladders'' holding enough liquid to fill 33,000 bottles.

The UK wine market is slowing considerably even though many increased shipments months ago to try to beat the Brexit uncertainty at the urgings of large British supermarket chains keen to secure extra stock as a buffer against any looming logjam at ports.

https://www.thebigsmoke.com.au/2019/07/29/the-technology-that-sent-a-million-to-internment-camps-is-being-used-here/

The technology that sent a million to internment camps is being used here

Over in China, facial recognition technology has been used to identify and punish “enemies of the state”. A similar system has been approved for use on our shores.

https://www.begadistrictnews.com.au/story/6299505/journalism-is-not-a-crime-in-this-country-mp-backs-freedom-of-the-press/

'Journalism is not a crime in this country': MP backs freedom of the press

Eden-Monaro MP Mike Kelly has defended journalists as he helps investigate the impact of Australian law enforcement and intelligence powers on press freedom following two police raids last month.

The Labor MP and Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security member said his aim is to "ensure security measures are balanced with the protection of civil liberties".

http://www.ladbible.com/community/interesting-australias-secret-intelligence-service-is-hiring-20190728

Australia's Secret Intelligence Service Is Hiring

Whenever you think of a country's spy agency, most people will immediately think of Britain's MI6, America's CIA or Israel's Mossad. 

But few will think of ASIS, which is the Australian Secret Intelligence Service.

https://www.zdnet.com/article/australias-national-intelligence-community-to-roll-out-new-building-access-control-system/

Australia's National Intelligence Community to roll out new building access control system

 The National Intelligence Community (NIC) is on the hunt for a new contractor to design, document, and deliver a common access card system, known as One Pass, to access building facilities of the 10 Australian security and intelligence agencies.

https://www.9news.com.au/national/senator-calls-for-minister-security-checks/896a8216-1b3a-4297-9fb5-4d7106a53aa3

Senator calls for minister security checks

Federal ministers should undergo background security checks to head off the risk of treason or espionage, a minor party says.

Centre Alliance's Rex Patrick believes most Australians would be shocked to know ministers with access to sensitive security, commercial and diplomatic information don't have security clearances.