• Three quarters (75%) of Australian organisations worried about 5G network security threats – with seven in ten (72%) most concerned about security of data that moves across 5G network 
• Cloud-hosted apps and data in motion are the biggest targets for cyber-attack – exacerbated by seven in ten (72%) organisations using over 25 SaaS applications
• A third (33%) of Australian organisations are prioritising investment into securing data in motion, with 59% agreeing that managing data in the cloud is more difficult than on-premises
• Four in ten (43%) Australian organisations reported an increase in ransomware attacks, while a quarter (24%) admit they have paid or would pay a ransom

Thales today announced the release of 2023 Thales Data Threat Report, its annual report on the latest data security threats, trends and emerging topics based on a survey of nearly 3000 IT and security professionals in 18 countries. As ransomware attacks continue to impact Australian organisations, the report identifies additional growing security concerns around the 5G network and data in motion.

Security threats increasing in volume and severity

Over a third of Australian organisations (36%) experienced a data breach in the last 12 months leading 45% of IT professionals surveyed to believe that security threats are increasing in volume or severity. Four in ten organisations (43%) reported an increase in ransomware attacks, and while half (51%) have a formal ransomware plan ready to activate, a quarter (24%) admit they have paid or would pay a ransom. 

With the proliferation of double extortion ransomware, almost one in five (17%) Australian organisations also believe the disclosure of sensitive information through exfiltration has become the greatest impact of ransomware attacks.   

The pros and cons of 5G

While 5G will prove revolutionary in terms of productivity improvements, it will also be responsible for a significant expansion in the cybersecurity threat landscape. Three-quarters (75%) of Australian IT professionals are worried about 5G network security threats – with seven in ten (72%) most concerned about the security of data that moves across the 5G network.

Data in motion identified as biggest cyber-attack target 

Respondents identified their cloud assets as the main target for cyber-attacks. Almost half (48%) said cloud-hosted apps and data in motion were the biggest targets – a problem exacerbated by seven in ten (72%) organisations using over 25 SaaS applications and one in five (19%) using over 100. As a result, a third of Australian organisations are prioritising investment into securing data in transit (33%), followed by data at rest (28%) and data in use (28%). 

Addressing the challenges of digital sovereignty

Digital sovereignty is becoming increasingly top of mind for data privacy and security teams. Overall, the report found that data sovereignty remains both a short- and long-term challenge for Australian enterprises. Eight in ten (82%) expressed concerns around how data privacy and data sovereignty will impact their organisations’ cloud deployment plans, with 59% agreeing that data privacy and compliance in the cloud has become more difficult.

Brian Grant, ANZ Director, Thales Cloud Security, comments: “As 5G becomes increasingly vital to the running of our manufacturing, transport, energy sectors and more, it will create a tsunami of sensitive data. Half of Australian organisations believe security threats increased over the past year and the ongoing deployment of 5G will only serve to intensify the threat landscape. 

“Organisations are right to be concerned about their data. The growth and success of a business today relies as much on good data security as on safeguarding its cash flow. Encrypting and securing data in use, in transit and at rest will not only help future proof against the proliferation of 5G, but also the tightening of privacy and sovereignty regulations across the world.”

About the 2023 Thales Global Data Threat Report

The 2023 Thales Global Data Threat Report was based on a global 451 Research survey commissioned by Thales of almost 3000 executives with responsibility for or influence over IT and data security. Respondents were from 18 countries: Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Sweden, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Organisations represented a range of industries, with a primary emphasis on healthcare, financial services, retail, technology, and federal government. Job titles ranged from C-level executives including CEO, CFO, Chief Data Officer, CISO, Chief Data Scientist, and Chief Risk Officer, to SVP/VP, IT Administrator, Security Analyst, Security Engineer, and Systems Administrator. Respondents represented a broad range of organizational sizes, with the majority ranging from 500 to 10,000 employees. The survey was conducted in November and December 2022.

About Thales 

Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies, investing in digital and “deep tech” innovations – connectivity, big data, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and quantum technologies – to build a confident future crucial for the development of our societies. The Group provides its customers – businesses, organizations and governments – in the defense, aeronautics, space, transport, and digital identity and security domains with solutions, services and products that help them fulfill their critical role, consideration for the individual being the driving force behind all decisions. 

Thales has 77,000 employees in 68 countries. In 2022, the Group generated sales of €17.6 billion.