Your staff are your NDIS business’s first line of defense against cyber threats—but also its biggest vulnerability. Handling sensitive participant data daily, one wrong click on a phishing email or a weak password can lead to breaches that harm participants and violate the NDIS Code of Conduct. Vivek Mahajan, founder of Careable and Cyber.Guide, has built a cyber-aware culture at Careable since launching as a registered NDIS provider in 2022, leveraging his 12 years of cybersecurity experience at Cisco, NTT, and Fujitsu.
The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) reports that 90% of data breaches involve human error, primarily phishing, but training can reduce risks by up to 70%. Here’s how to train your staff, aligned with ACSC’s Essential Eight and NDIS Practice Standards.
Building a Cyber-Aware Culture
1. Start with Awareness
Staff need to understand cyber threats to prevent them. Explain:
- Threat Types: Phishing, malware, ransomware, and scams mimicking MyGov or NDIS portals.
- NDIS Impact: Breaches risk participant harm and penalties under the Privacy Act 1988.
- Real Risks: The 2024 ACSC Annual Cyber Threat Report notes that 90% of breaches start with phishing, costing small businesses $46,000 on average.
NDIS Compliance: Awareness training meets NDIS Practice Standards for staff education.
See phishing tips in Phishing Scams: How to Spot and Stop Them.
2. Use Free ACSC Training Resources
The ACSC’s Cyber Security Training offers free, engaging modules for non-technical staff, covering:
- Phishing identification.
- Password best practices.
- Secure data handling.
Real Impact: At Careable, Vivek’s NDIS provider, using ACSC training modules in 2023 improved staff phishing awareness, aligning with ACSC guidance.
NDIS Compliance: Free training meets Privacy Act’s cost-effective security measures.
Explore tools in Free Tools to Boost Your Cybersecurity.
3. Teach Core Cybersecurity Skills
Focus on skills critical for NDIS environments:
- Phishing Detection: Check sender emails, avoid suspicious links, and verify requests.
- Strong Passwords: Use 14+ character passwords via Bitwarden.
- MFA: Enable Google Authenticator for NDIS portal and email.
- Device Security: Lock screens when idle, per ACSC’s Device Security Guidance.
- Data Handling: Encrypt files with Google Drive before sharing.
NDIS Compliance: Core skills align with NDIS Code of Conduct for participant privacy.
Learn about 2FA in Why NDIS Providers Need Two-Factor Authentication.
4. Make Training Practical
Integrate cybersecurity into daily workflows:
- Induction: Include 15-minute cybersecurity sessions for new hires.
- Team Meetings: Dedicate 10 minutes monthly to refresh skills.
- Simulations: Run ACSC phishing tests to practice detection.
Advanced Tip: Use gamified training (e.g., ACSC’s phishing quizzes) to boost engagement, per ACSC’s Phishing Guidance.
NDIS Compliance: Practical training meets NDIS Practice Standards for governance.
5. Lead by Example
Managers must model secure behavior:
- Enable MFA on all accounts (e.g., Microsoft Authenticator).
- Avoid sharing passwords, even internally.
- Use encrypted communication like Signal for sensitive discussions.
NDIS Compliance: Leadership compliance upholds NDIS Code of Conduct for trust.
See password tips in Strong Passwords: Your First Line of Defense.
6. Reinforce with Policies
Document expectations in a Cybersecurity and Privacy Policy:
- Mandate MFA, strong passwords, and encrypted data handling.
- Require annual policy acknowledgment.
- Outline incident reporting to cyber.gov.au/report.
NDIS Compliance: Policies meet NDIS Practice Standards for operational governance.
Learn about incident response in What to Do If Your NDIS Business Gets Hacked.
7. Test and Reward Understanding
Gauge knowledge and encourage vigilance:
- Run monthly quizzes using ACSC’s free resources.
- Simulate phishing emails to test reactions, per ACSC’s Small Business Cyber Security Guide.
- Reward staff who report suspicious activity or excel in tests.
NDIS Compliance: Testing aligns with NDIS Practice Standards for staff education.
8. Foster a Vigilant Culture
Make cybersecurity a shared responsibility:
- Encourage reporting of suspicious emails without blame.
- Celebrate staff who identify phishing attempts.
- Integrate cybersecurity into Careable’s C.A.R.E. philosophy (Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Empowerment).
NDIS Compliance: A vigilant culture supports NDIS Code of Conduct for participant safety.
See backup tips in Backing Up Your NDIS Business Data.
Why This Matters
Staff training is critical to prevent breaches that threaten participant trust and NDIS compliance. The ACSC warns that 60% of small businesses fail within six months of a cyberattack, with average losses of $46,000. As Vivek says, “You care for people—I’ll help protect the systems that support them.” A cyber-aware culture ensures compliance with the NDIS Code of Conduct and safeguards participant dignity.
About Cyber.Guide: Founded by Vivek Mahajan in 2022, Cyber.Guide empowers NDIS providers with free, practical cybersecurity tools tailored to the sector. Our mission, rooted in Careable’s C.A.R.E. philosophy, is to secure the systems that support your participants.
Test Yourself: Is your staff ready to spot cyber threats? Take our free Cybersecurity Quiz to find out.
Author: Vivek Mahajan, founder of Careable and Cyber.Guide, brings 12 years of cybersecurity experience from Cisco, NTT, and Fujitsu, plus hands-on NDIS expertise as a registered provider. Connect at vivek@careable.com.au or LinkedIn.
Trust Note: All Cyber.Guide content is fact-checked, updated quarterly, and aligned with ACSC’s Essential Eight and NDIS Practice Standards. Examples are generalized from ACSC data or verified outcomes; no unverified incidents are included. Statistics are sourced from the 2024 ACSC Annual Cyber Threat Report. See our Privacy Policy.
CTA: Download our NDIS Cybersecurity Training Toolkit at Cyber.Guide to protect your participants today.
Incident Reporting: If you suspect a cyber incident, report it to the ACSC at cyber.gov.au/report and notify the OAIC for eligible data breaches, per the Privacy Act 1988.
