Grant bolsters cyber strength
Security-conscious businesses usually concentrate on protecting their premises.
But it’s increasingly important to defend internal security, such as databases and online information.
Relationships Australia used a grant from the Northern Territory Government’s Business Growth Program to review its cyber resilience.
Terri-ann Maney’s plan to order an IT audit as soon as she was appointed chief executive 18 months ago was given added impetus by the Optus and Medicare hacking scares.
“One member of staff was deeply upset by the Optus breach, which made me realise what effect hacking can have on people,” she said.
“IT security is particularly important to Relationships Australia - Northern Territory because we deal with many vulnerable people.”
Territory firm One IT Services was brought in to carry out the cyber security audit and make recommendations on how to strengthen the system.
Ms Maney said the Business Growth grant was crucial in not only enabling the audit but providing an Improvement plan.
“The grant was very useful - it gave us support to secure independent expertise”.
Relationship Australia, which has offices in Darwin, Alice Springs and Katherine, celebrated its 50th year in the Territory last year.
The organisation provide a range of services, including counselling, family dispute resolution, parenting after separation, specialist support for critical incident response, elder abuse and redress scheme.
The Business Growth Program helps companies access professional services to improve their performance, sustainability and profitability.
It also provides mentoring and coaching support.
Funding can be used for professional services in strategy, marketing, operations, financial, and people and culture.
For more information, go to the Northern Territory Government website.
Audits for accreditation purposes are not eligible under the Business Growth Program.
For industry accreditation, businesses can contact the small business champions based across the Territory for support.
