Aotearoa New Zealand’s National Cyber Security Centre’s (NCSC) Malware Free Network (MFN) has reached a significant milestone: 10 million disruptions.  

The NCSC, part of the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB), operates MFN, a service designed to detect and disrupt threats in near real-time. This service delivers crucial threat intelligence on malicious activities targeting organisations and individuals in Aotearoa New Zealand. 

Key Achievements 

• 5.5 million attempts to exploit vulnerabilities in customer networks. 
• 3.3 million blocks on phishing link accesses. 
• 4,000 attempts to download malware. 
• Growth and Expansion: Since its launch in 2021, MFN has grown from 7 to 21 partner organisations, increasing its impact across New Zealand. This expansion showcases the service’s effectiveness and scalability in enhancing national cyber security. 

Behind the Success 

Lisa Fong, GCSB Deputy Director-General responsible for the NCSC, attributes MFN’s success to a comprehensive threat intelligence feed. This feed is curated from various sources, including international cyber security partners, combined with robust internal analysis and research. Notably, 95% of the disruptions originate from indicators identified through NCSC’s analytics and research. 

Partner Contributions 

The success of MFN is also due to significant support from its partners. Tony Baird, One New Zealand’s Chief Technology Officer, expressed pride in being the first telco in New Zealand to roll out MFN at a network level for broadband and mobile customers in May 2023. He highlighted how MFN complements their in-house cyber security efforts to block scammers and enhance customer safety. 

James Fitzsimons, Cassini co-founder and Head of Managed Services at Bastion Security, praised MFN for its proactive disruption capabilities. He believes MFN has significantly strengthened customers’ security postures and helped avoid costly security incidents over the past four years. 

Continued Collaboration 

Spark NZ’s Chief Information Security Officer, Nyuk Loong Kiw, mentioned their collaboration with NCSC to implement MFN into their network. This integration aims to bolster defence against malicious activity and reduce malware incidences among mobile and broadband users. The milestone of 10 million disruptions is a testament to the effectiveness of near real-time threat intelligence in protecting New Zealand’s digital landscape. 

Future Outlook 

Lisa Fong expressed excitement about the future growth and enhancement of the MFN service. The continued success of MFN in disrupting threats demonstrates its vital role in New Zealand’s cyber security landscape. The NCSC remains committed to working with partners to fortify cyber defences and safeguard the nation’s digital infrastructure. 

To learn more about how New Zealand’s Malware Free Nework is making a difference, read the full article here. 

Here at ITogether, we understand the critical importance of robust cyber security measures. The success of NCSC’s Malware Free Network demonstrates the power of real-time threat detection and proactive disruption. If you’re looking to enhance your organisation’s cybersecurity, we can provide tailored solutions to protect your network and data. From threat intelligence to comprehensive cyber defence strategies, we’ve got you covered.  

Don’t wait until it’s too late, strengthen your defences with ITogether today. 

To find out more, book a free Network & Cybersecurity Consultancy Session – there’s no charge, this one is on us! Click here to book.