Be Cyber-Safe and protect your NDIS Business, staff and participants

If you’re one of the Australian NDIS businesses, even sole traders and SMEs, that don’t prioritise cyber security it could ultimately be to your, your staff and your client’s detriment.

Many businesses might think they’re too small to be of interest to and targeted by cybercriminals. However, it might be alarming to know that there is a growing trend of attacks on small enterprises because of this misconception and their often-weaker defences.

Limited budgets can make it difficult to invest in robust cyber security measures and a lack of awareness and understanding of the risks and potential consequences of cyber attacks contributes to the perception that cyber security is not a critical priority. This is particularly concerning for NDIS service providers, who handle sensitive client information and are therefore at a higher risk of data breaches and potential fraud, which can have severe implications for their clients' privacy and trust.

Simple, thoughtful adjustments can make your business safe

Sometimes it might feel like service providers are constantly under attack; either being sold to, told we’re doing the wrong thing or being told that we’re not enough. When it comes to cybersecurity, it might feel like service providers don’t have anyone to turn to as a sounding board or even somewhere to start. We’ve put together a baseline cybersecurity checklist for NDIS businesses and the Providers only channel of Kinora is a great space to hear from peers about what’s worked for them and to share your experiences. See you in the community.

Your NDIS Service Provider Cybersecurity checklist:

Safeguard your business integrity, online:

1. Implement Robust Cybersecurity Measures

• Firewalls and Anti-virus Software: Install and maintain up-to-date firewalls and anti-virus software to protect against malware and other cyber threats.

• Regular Software Updates: Ensure all systems, applications, and devices are regularly updated to protect against known vulnerabilities.

• Secure Network: Use encryption and secure protocols (e.g., HTTPS, VPN) to protect data in transit.

2. Access Control and Authentication

- Strong Password Policies: Enforce the use of strong, unique passwords and change them regularly. Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an extra layer of security.

- Role-based Access Control (RBAC): Limit access to sensitive information based on job roles and responsibilities. Ensure only authorized personnel can access critical data.

- Regular Audits: Conduct regular access audits to review and adjust user permissions.

3. Employee Training and Awareness

- Cybersecurity Training: Regularly train employees on cybersecurity best practices, including recognizing phishing scams and other social engineering attacks.

- Incident Response Plan: Develop and train staff on an incident response plan to handle potential security breaches or cyber attacks efficiently.

- Phishing Simulations: Conduct periodic phishing simulations to test employee awareness and response.

4. Data Protection and Privacy

- Data Encryption: Encrypt sensitive data both at rest and in transit to protect it from unauthorized access.

- Data Minimization: Only collect and retain necessary data. Regularly review and purge unnecessary or outdated data.

- Secure Disposal: Ensure secure disposal of sensitive information through shredding, wiping, or other secure methods.

5. Fraud Prevention

- Transaction Monitoring: Implement systems to monitor and detect unusual or suspicious activities in financial transactions.

- Segregation of Duties: Separate financial duties among different employees to reduce the risk of fraud.

- Regular Audits: Conduct regular financial audits to detect and prevent fraudulent activities.

6. Insurance

- Obtain Cyber Insurance: Consider purchasing cyber insurance to provide financial protection in case of a cyber attack or data breach.

7. Legal and Regulatory Compliance

- Compliance with Standards: Ensure compliance with relevant laws and standards, such as the Privacy Act 1988 (Australia) and the NDIS Code of Conduct.

- Regular Reviews: Regularly review and update policies and procedures to stay compliant with changing regulations and industry standards.

8. Secure Communication

- Email Security: Use secure email gateways to protect against phishing and other email-based threats. Implement email encryption for sensitive communications.

- Secure Messaging: Use secure messaging apps for internal communication and sharing sensitive information.

9. Incident Response and Recovery

- Backup and Recovery: Regularly back up critical data and have a disaster recovery plan in place to restore operations quickly in case of a cyber incident.

- Incident Response Team: Establish an incident response team responsible for managing and mitigating security incidents.

10. Partner and Vendor Management

- Vendor Risk Management: Assess and manage the security risks associated with third-party vendors and partners. Ensure they adhere to your security policies and standards.

- Contractual Security Requirements: Include security requirements in contracts with vendors and service providers.

By implementing these measures, NDIS Service Providers can significantly reduce the risk of fraud, cyber attacks, data mining, phishing scams, and other online threats, thereby protecting their business integrity and the sensitive information of their clients.

We’d love to hear your stories in the Providers Only community of Kinora.