B4 Clicking :Cyber Security Boost, Empowering Trust.
Living Services Australia aims to establish itself as a trusted, multi-disciplinary brand by aligning with Australia's national cyber security strategy.
We will focus on building customer confidence and trust through our diverse expertise in engineering, health, technology, and finance. Our project will enhance our product offerings and subscription-based services to incorporate robust cyber security measures, addressing the growing need for digital safety. We'll develop educational resources to increase cyber awareness among our clients, mirroring the national strategy's goal of uplifting cyber security capabilities. By showcasing our commitment to evolving with the digital landscape and prioritizing customer protection, we'll position ourselves as a reliable partner in the increasingly complex digital world. This initiative will not only strengthen our brand but also contribute to Australia's vision of becoming a world leader in cyber security by 2030.
The Australian National Cyber Shield Initiative aims to establish Australia as a leader in cyber security by 2030 through the implementation of six robust cyber defences. This comprehensive strategy will protect Australian citizens, businesses, and critical infrastructure from cyber threats while enhancing nationwide cyber security capabilities. By focusing on reducing the economic and social impact of computer and cybercrime and increasing public awareness of cyber risks, the initiative will build trust in Australia's digital ecosystem. Through close collaboration between government, industry, and the community, this plan will uplift cyber security skills across the nation, making Australia safer and more resilient in the face of evolving digital threats.
Leveraging decades of experience in finance, technology, and wellbeing. This project focuses on uplifting the baseline cyber security capabilities of the most vulnerable people and groups in Australian society. By reducing the economic and social impact of cybercrime, the initiative seeks to create a more resilient digital environment for all Australians. A key component of this plan is to increase public awareness of cyber security risks through targeted education and outreach programs, offering both pre-incident education to help prevent attacks and post-incident support to aid in recovery to any victim of an attack. Specifically, the initiative will deliver tailored educational materials and establish a digital lifeline to support vulnerable community groups, small businesses, carers, and service providers, ensuring that all segments of society are equipped to avoid, navigate, and recover from cyber threats effectively
Criterion 1: Demonstrated need (30% weighting)
Demonstrate a strong need for increased cyber awareness within your target community/communities.
When addressing the criterion, strong applicants will:
- Describe the current cyber awareness of your targeted community and specify the issues facing vulnerable groups within your targeted community.
- Demonstrate why your target community requires additional/tailored support with cyber security.
The need for increased cyber awareness has been demonstrated many times. The scale of the latest incident involving CrowdStrike provide new opportunities for cyber criminals to prey on the most vulnerable people and communities - which include small businesses, local governments, vulnerable community groups, carers, and service providers. The need for trusted information and education - is critical and urgent.
Current cyber awareness in these communities is generally low. Small businesses and local governments and community groups often lack dedicated IT staff or resources, leaving them particularly vulnerable to current event driven social engineered cyber-attacks. Many operate with outdated systems, weak passwords, and limited understanding of cyber threats or the Digital economy. A 2022 survey by the Australian Cyber Security Centre found that 62% of small businesses experienced a cybercrime in the previous year, yet only 33% reported having cyber incident response plans. This survey is a poor representation of the scale of the problem. Individuals and small business have little if no avenue to report incidents. Who would they call and will be done?
Vulnerable community groups, including seniors, people with disabilities, and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, face unique challenges. Many lack basic digital literacy skills, making them easy targets for scams and phishing attempts. Carers and service providers, while focused on supporting these groups, often lack the cyber security knowledge to protect sensitive information. Hardship and crisis provide cyber crime and criminals with opportunities to engage with people and communities when the are most vulnerable.
These communities require additional, tailored support they can trust for several reasons:
- Limited resources: Unlike large corporations, they can't afford dedicated cyber security services or expensive software solutions.
- Specific vulnerabilities: Each group has unique vulnerabilities that generic cyber advice doesn't address.
- High-value targets: Small businesses and local governments and community groups often hold valuable data but have weaker defences, making them attractive to cybercriminals.
- Cascading effects: A cyber incident affecting a carer or service provider can have severe consequences for the vulnerable individuals they support.
- Rapid digital adoption: The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated digital adoption in these communities, often without corresponding increases in cyber security awareness.
By providing tailored education which incorporate current events and support, we can significantly improve the cyber resilience of these communities, reducing the economic and social impacts of cybercrime and protecting our most vulnerable citizens.
Criterion 2: Objectives of grant activity (35% weighting)
Describe the grant activity/activities that your organisation will undertake.
When addressing the criterion, strong applicants will:
- Demonstrate how your grant activity and method of delivery will be tailored to the vulnerable group.
- Demonstrate how the activity/activities will achieve the grant objectives outlined in Section 2.1 of the Grant Opportunity Guidelines.
Our organization, Living Services Australia, will undertake a comprehensive, tailored cyber awareness program called “B4Clicking” designed specifically for our target vulnerable groups: small businesses, local governments, carers, and service providers supporting vulnerable community members. The B4Clicking as a cyber security firm has a program consist of the following activities:
- They address the specific challenges and limitations faced by each group (e.g., limited resources, unique vulnerabilities).
- They offer multiple formats (in-person, online, phone support) to accommodate different preferences and accessibility needs.
- The content is designed to be practical and immediately applicable, recognizing that these groups often need quick, actionable solutions.
- Tailored Cyber Security Workshops: We will conduct a series of in-person and online
workshops customized for each vulnerable group. For small businesses and local
community groups, we'll focus on practical, cost-effective cyber security
measures.
For carers and service providers, we'll emphasize protecting client data and
recognizing scams targeting vulnerable individuals.
- Digital Lifeline Helpdesk: We will establish a dedicated helpline staffed by cyber
security experts who can provide real-time advice and
support. This service will be
particularly valuable for those who may not be comfortable with digital technologies
or need immediate assistance.
- Cyber Incident Simulation Exercises: We'll develop and run scenario-based exercises
that simulate common cyber attacks. These hands-on experiences will help participants
understand how to respond effectively to incidents.
- Accessible E-learning Modules: We'll create a series of easy-to-understand,
interactive online learning modules covering essential cyber security topics. These
will be designed with accessibility in mind, including versions in multiple languages
and formats suitable for those with disabilities.
- Cyber Security Mentorship Program: We'll pair cyber security professionals with
representatives from vulnerable groups for ongoing mentorship and support.
These activities are tailored to our vulnerable groups in several ways:
Our activities align with the grant objectives as follows:
- Building and improving cyber security capability: Our workshops, e-learning modules,
and mentorship program will significantly enhance the cyber security knowledge and
skills of participants.
- Reducing the economic and social impact of cybercrime: By providing practical tools
and knowledge, we'll help prevent cyber incidents and minimize their impact when they
do occur.
- Increasing public awareness of cyber security risks: All our activities are designed
to raise awareness of current cyber threats and best practices for protection.
- Delivering tailored education materials: Our e-learning modules and workshop
materials will be specifically designed for each vulnerable group.
- Providing a digital lifeline: Our helpdesk will serve as a crucial support system for
vulnerable groups dealing with cyber security issues.
By leveraging our decades of experience in finance, technology, and wellbeing, we are uniquely positioned to deliver these activities effectively, helping people and communities both avoid and recover from cyber-attacks. Maintaining and restoring trust in the Australian Digital Community.
Criterion 3: Delivery of grant activity (35% weighting)
Describe your organisation's ability to successfully deliver the grant activity.
When addressing the criterion, strong applicants will:
- Demonstrate your organisation's experience in delivering similar projects to your target community.
- What were the outcomes?
- Demonstrate your organisation's community knowledge, networks and partnerships with the target community and outline how you will use these to successfully deliver the project.
- Outline how you will monitor and evaluate project outcomes.
Living Services Australia was created to help vulnerable people and communities by leveraging our knowledge, experience and resources in finance, technology, and wellbeing.
the tag line we use is “empowering trust” we measure our success when clients are comfortable enough to call us about and share their concerns.
What was identified by us after a few decades of providing, service, support, and education is that if you are truly successful - nothing happens. doing problem of delivering effective education and services to clients Here is an overview of our capabilities and approach: Experience in delivering similar projects:
- Digital Literacy for Seniors Program (2022-current): We series of workshops and one-on-one support sessions for seniors, focusing on safe internet usage and identifying online scams.
- Cyber Safety for Small Business Initiative: We developed and implemented a comprehensive cyber security training program/ e safety program for small businesses in collaboration with our technology partners.
- Cyber reward program: A program in which we get people enthusiastic about reporting scams. Still under development. It is framed like an online game, were people get credit for reporting scams. part of the B4Clicking project
- NDIS: Living Services is a NDIS, plan manager. We help clients even if they are not our own safe.
Community knowledge, networks, and partnerships:
Our organization has roots in the community, which we will leverage for this project:
Collaboration with care provider networks: Our connections with major care provider associations will help us reach carers and service providers effectively.
Technology industry partnerships: Our relationships with tech companies will allow us to bring in expert speakers and secure discounted cyber security tools for participants.
Monitoring and evaluation approach:
To ensure the effectiveness of our program, we will:
- Conduct pre- and post-program surveys to measure changes in cyber security awareness and practices.
- Use data analytics to track engagement with our e-learning modules and Digital Lifeline helpdesk.
- Perform follow-up assessments at 3-, 6-, and 12-months post-program to evaluate long-term impact.
- Collect and analyse data on reported cyber incidents among participants before and after the program.
- Establish a feedback loop with participants to continuously improve our materials and delivery methods.
- Partner with a local community group to conduct an independent evaluation of the program's effectiveness. Our team's diverse expertise in finance, technology, and wellbeing positions us uniquely to deliver this multi-faceted program. We understand the specific challenges faced by our target communities and can provide both the technical knowledge and the practical, accessible guidance they need.
By combining our experience and developing new community connections along with robust evaluation methods, we are confident in our ability to successfully deliver this grant activity and make a significant impact on the cyber resilience of those communities.
