Internet Security Building A Safer Environment

Australian Not for Profit organisations and small businesses can feel more confident about going online with the help of new e-security initiatives from the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts.

The initiatives include an information package to assist organisations to operate online more securely; and a review of the application of current laws dealing with invasive and malicious use of spyware.

Small and medium size businesses have already told authorities that the security issue of most concern to them is the potential for people to hack into their business systems.

But unlike larger corporations they don’t necessarily have the specialist staff or resources to deal with Internet security issues, just like many Not for Profits.

The Internet Security Essentials package provides tips, checklists and links to better protect operations and information systems against online fraud and theft, viruses and spam.

The package also contains an interactive online e-security tutorial to develop realistic and effective responses to Internet security threats.

The Government has also initiated a review of the extent to which existing Australian laws address malicious forms of spyware.

Spyware is often installed without the knowledge or consent of online users, and is increasingly being employed to invade privacy and undertake other illegal activity by harvesting users’ personal and financial information.

The Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts and the Attorney-General’s Department will review Australia’s existing legislative framework to assess how current laws cover these behaviours and practices.

The Internet Security Essentials package is a resource that covers all the main security issues for operating safely online.

It has been designed to meet the needs of busy small business operators and Not for Profits who want to grow their e-business in a secure way.

The resource package includes:
– an easy to digest booklet which gives small business operators ten simple security tips to upgrade their e-security systems.

– information about setting up firewalls and minimising spam. It’s written in plain English rather than for ‘techies’ and has links to more detailed information resources, such as the Internet Industry Association’s e-security portal.

– a hands-on interactive Safety Net Online tutorial. It’s a website where people can teach themselves how to meet the security needs of their business, at their own pace and in their own time. The Safety Net Online tutorial is at www.aoema.org .

The online tutorial was developed by the Asia Oceania Electronic Marketplace Association and InfoCommunications International as part of an APEC project.

DCITA has provided Pro Bono Australia with 90 hard copies of the Internet Security Essentials package as well as being available to readers in an electronic format.

Just send us an email with Internet Security Essentials in the subject line to
probono@probonoaustralia.com.au.
Please indicate if you would like the hard copy or the electronic copy or both. Don’t forget to include your postal address.