Recent ransomware activity impacting Regis Resources and the South-West Development Commission is a timely reminder that cyber threats are escalating across Western Australia – and that no organisation, regardless of size or sector, is immune.
In the case of Regis Resources, layered security controls detected a cyber intrusion, systems were isolated as designed, and a subsequent forensic investigation confirmed no data was exfiltrated and no ransom demand was made. From a cyber resilience perspective, this represents a strong outcome. However, the incident itself – and the fact that multiple WA organisations were named by the same ransomware group – highlights a broader and growing risk landscape that organisations cannot afford to ignore.
Once viewed as a problem largely reserved for global enterprises and listed corporates, ransomware has evolved into a targeted threat affecting organisations of all sizes. Mining and energy companies, government agencies, professional services firms and not-for-profits are all now firmly within scope.
A shift towards more targeted, sophisticated attacks
Groups such as Lynx Ransomware, believed to be a rebrand of an earlier group, exemplify how modern ransomware operators work. These groups are among the most active globally and increasingly rely on double extortion tactics, encrypting systems while threatening to publicly release stolen data.
Crucially, attackers are no longer relying on broad, opportunistic campaigns. Instead, they invest time to understand an organisation’s systems, suppliers, data sensitivity and operational pressures. Even organisations that believe they are unlikely targets may be selected because they are operationally critical, time-poor or perceived to have weaker incident readiness.
For WA organisations, this risk is amplified by complex supply chains, reliance on third-party vendors, remote and hybrid work environments, and ongoing skills shortages within IT and security teams. In this environment, a single compromised account, unpatched system or trusted supplier can provide attackers with a foothold.
Across Australia, ransomware incidents are also becoming more damaging. The impact is no longer limited to temporary IT disruption; incidents can trigger reputational harm, regulatory scrutiny, legal exposure and long-term loss of stakeholder trust – even where data is ultimately not compromised.
Cyber resilience is now a leadership issue
What recent incidents reinforce is that cybersecurity is no longer just a technical issue. It is a business-wide risk that requires leadership attention, governance oversight and clear accountability.
Boards and executives are increasingly expected to demonstrate not just preventative controls, but preparedness: the ability to detect an incident quickly, contain it affectively and respond with confidence in the critical first hours.
What organisations should be doing now
While no organisation can eliminate cyber risk entirely, there are clear, practical steps that significantly reduce exposure and improve outcomes:
- Strengthen cyber fundamentals
Ensure multi-factor authentication, robust patching, endpoint protection and secure backups are in place and regularly tested. - Understand your exposure
Conduct regular risk assessments, including third-party and supply-chain risk reviews, to identify where vulnerabilities exist. - Prepare for incidents before they happen
Develop and test an incident response plan so leadership teams know exactly what to do when an attack is detected. - Invest in staff awareness
Human error remains one of the most common entry points for attackers. Ongoing cyber security education and training is essential, not optional. - Plan for detection and recovery
Move beyond a prevention-only mindset and focus on rapid detection, containment and recovery.
CMTG: a proactive partner in cyber resilience
The recent ransomware activity affecting WA organisations underscores the importance of proactive cyber resilience. At CMTG, we work with organisations across Western Australia to strengthen security foundations, improve resilience and ensure they are incident ready.
Our focus is on practical, scalable solutions aligned to real-world operational environments – helping organisations move beyond compliance and towards confidence. Ransomware threats may be evolving, but with the right strategy, preparation and partnership, organisations can reduce risk, respond decisively and protect what matters most.
