Cyber Smart Week 2024: Kiwis urged to secure their digital footprint

Cert NZ's annual Cyber Smart Week has returned, with a mission to boost the nation's cyber resilience.

The campaign comes at a time when cybercrime is an increasing concern, affecting a significant portion of the population.

According to Cert NZ, around half of all New Zealanders experience a form of cybercrime within a six-month period.

These crimes vary widely, from scam phone calls and phishing attacks to online shopping scams and extortion. In light of these threats, online security has never been more critical.

Despite the challenges, there is some positive news.

According to Cert NZ, "more New Zealanders are taking steps to keep themselves secure online".

However, they stressed that "there is still work to do" to ensure everyone in the country is better protected from the growing threat of cybercrime.

The primary aim of this year's Cyber Smart Week campaign is to raise awareness about the importance of online security practices. In particular, the campaign will focus on encouraging individuals, small businesses, and medium-sized organisations to adopt two-factor authentication (2FA) and to maintain robust password hygiene.

According to their campaign, two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of identification. It can be a critical defence against cybercriminals who seek to gain unauthorised access to personal or organisational accounts.

Alongside promoting 2FA, the campaign will highlight the necessity of using strong passwords.

Weak passwords continue to be a common vulnerability, allowing cybercriminals to easily breach accounts. Their campaign affirms that "Maintaining strong password practices is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect your online presence."

While individuals are being urged to take action, small and medium businesses (SMEs) are also a key focus of this year's efforts.

Cybercriminals often target SMEs due to their limited resources for cyber defence. "We want to ensure that businesses of all sizes understand the importance of securing their systems and data," the campaign stated. By adopting practices such as 2FA and better password management, SMEs can greatly reduce their risk of falling victim to cyberattacks.

The Cyber Smart Week campaign by Cert NZ has been instrumental in previous years, educating Kiwis on the importance of online safety and providing practical tips on safeguarding against cyber threats.

In a world where the digital landscape is constantly evolving, campaigns like these play a crucial role in keeping the public informed and prepared.

This year's event will be no different, continuing the push to build a more cyber-resilient nation.

"We're on a mission to make New Zealand more cyber resilient," the campaign reiterated. They encourage all New Zealanders and businesses to join the effort to make the Internet a safer place for everyone.

As cyber threats continue to evolve, Cert NZ remains hopeful that increased participation in this year's campaign will lead to tangible improvements in New Zealand's overall cyber resilience.

And with cybercrime impacting more people every year, Cert NZ's Cyber Smart Week hopes to inspire widespread adoption of better security practices, both at home and in the workplace.

To find out more about Cyber Smart Week 2024, visit their website: