No NDIS provider is immune to cyberattacks, but a swift, informed response can minimize damage and protect participant trust. Vivek Mahajan, founder of Careable and Cyber.Guide, understands this challenge. Since launching Careable in 2022 as a registered NDIS provider, Vivek has prepared for cyber incidents, drawing on his 12 years of cybersecurity experience at Cisco, NTT, and Fujitsu.
The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) reports that 60% of small businesses face cyberattacks annually, with rapid response reducing losses by up to 50%. For NDIS providers, breaches risk participant data and compliance with the NDIS Code of Conduct. Here’s how to respond, aligned with ACSC’s Cyber Incident Response Guide and NDIS Practice Standards.
Steps to Respond to a Cyber Breach
1. Stay Calm and Assess the Situation
Panic can worsen outcomes. Identify the breach type:
- Data Exposure: Were participant records accessed or leaked?
- Ransomware: Are systems locked or encrypted?
- Credential Theft: Are NDIS portal or email accounts compromised?
Check logs (e.g., email activity, firewall alerts) and document findings for reporting.
NDIS Compliance: Accurate assessment supports NDIS Practice Standards for incident management.
Example: The 2024 ACSC Annual Cyber Threat Report notes that quick assessment has helped small businesses limit breach costs to under $10,000.
2. Disconnect Affected Devices
The ACSC advises isolating compromised devices to contain the breach.
- Disconnect from Wi-Fi or Ethernet immediately.
- Power down devices if malware is suspected.
- Avoid using affected devices until cleared by a professional.
NDIS Compliance: Containment aligns with Privacy Act’s reasonable security measures.
See Wi-Fi tips in Is Your Wi-Fi Putting Your NDIS Business at Risk?.
3. Activate Your Internal Response Team
The NDIS Practice Standards require an incident response plan.
- Designate roles: logging events, notifying management, coordinating recovery.
- If no plan exists, appoint a leader to manage the response.
- Document all actions for compliance and review.
Real Impact: At Careable, Vivek’s NDIS provider, an incident response plan enabled rapid recovery from a 2023 phishing attempt, aligning with ACSC guidance.
NDIS Compliance: Response plans meet NDIS governance requirements.
4. Reset Passwords and Enable MFA
The ACSC’s Essential Eight mandates securing credentials post-breach.
- Reset passwords for affected systems (e.g., NDIS portal, email, cloud storage).
- Use 14+ character passwords via tools like Bitwarden.
- Enable MFA with apps like Google Authenticator.
NDIS Compliance: MFA supports Privacy Act’s security requirements.
Learn more in Strong Passwords: Your First Line of Defense.
5. Engage a Cybersecurity Professional
The ACSC recommends expert assistance for complex breaches.
- Contact a Managed Service Provider (MSP) or cybersecurity firm.
- Request forensic analysis to identify breach scope and entry point.
- Avoid DIY recovery to prevent further damage.
NDIS Compliance: Professional support ensures compliance with NDIS incident management standards.
6. Notify Stakeholders and Participants
The Privacy Act 1988 requires transparency for data breaches.
- Inform affected participants and support coordinators if data is exposed.
- Provide a recovery plan (e.g., credit monitoring, enhanced security).
- Communicate via secure channels like ProtonMail.
NDIS Compliance: Transparency upholds NDIS Code of Conduct for participant trust.
7. Report the Incident
NDIS providers have mandatory reporting obligations:
- OAIC: Report eligible data breaches within 72 hours via oaic.gov.au.
- NDIS Commission: Notify if participant safety or trust is affected, per ndiscommission.gov.au.
- ACSC: Report all incidents at cyber.gov.au/report for support.
NDIS Compliance: Reporting meets Privacy Act and NDIS Practice Standards.
See phishing response in Phishing Scams: How to Spot and Stop Them.
8. Restore from Backups
The ACSC’s Essential Eight emphasizes clean backups for recovery.
- Restore systems from a verified, pre-breach backup.
- Scan backups for malware using Microsoft Defender.
- Test restored systems before reconnecting.
NDIS Compliance: Backups ensure continuity of care, per NDIS operational standards.
9. Review and Update Security Policies
The ACSC advises post-incident reviews to prevent recurrence.
- Analyze breach causes (e.g., weak passwords, outdated software).
- Update policies with stronger controls (e.g., mandatory MFA).
- Train staff using ACSC’s free modules at cyber.gov.au/learn.
NDIS Compliance: Policy updates align with NDIS governance requirements.
10. Plan for Next Time
The ACSC and NDIS Practice Standards require proactive preparation.
- Develop or refine an Incident Response Plan.
- Schedule quarterly cyber drills with staff.
- Use free tools from Cyber.Guide to strengthen defenses.
NDIS Compliance: Preparedness meets NDIS Code of Conduct for participant safety.
Explore tools in Free Tools to Boost Your Cybersecurity.
Why This Matters
A cyber breach threatens participant trust and NDIS compliance. The ACSC warns that 60% of small businesses fail within six months of an attack, with average losses of $46,000. As Vivek says, “You care for people—I’ll help protect the systems that support them.” A robust response ensures compliance with the NDIS Code of Conduct and rebuilds confidence.
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 (Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Empowerment), is to secure the systems that support your participants.
Test Yourself: Is your NDIS business ready for a cyber incident? 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. See our Privacy Policy.
CTA: Download our NDIS Incident Response Plan Template at Cyber.Guide to protect your participants today.
Incident Reporting: Report cyber incidents to the ACSC at cyber.gov.au/report and notify the OAIC for eligible data breaches within 72 hours, per the Privacy Act 1988.
