Cybersecurity a top priority at HOPE

Hope Community Services is developing a new Cybersecurity Strategy to ensure the safety and privacy of all client data.

During the past 12 months, HOPE has invested in its information and communication technology (ICT) with the development of an ICT Strategy and Digital Roadmap. As part of this ongoing work, the HOPE Board has recently approved the development of a comprehensive Cybersecurity Strategy that will support the organisation to proactively protect our digital environment.

The strategy will set a clear direction for managing cybersecurity risks and ensuring compliance with both internal policies and external regulatory obligations.

Cybersecurity priorities.

Our Cybersecurity Strategy will cover the following:

1. Cybersecurity Standards: Achieving and maintaining maturity against the Australian Cyber Security Centre’s Essential Eight Framework, a series of mitigation strategies that help organisations protect themselves against various cyberthreats.
2. Privacy and Data Protection: Ensuring alignment with the 1988 Australian Privacy Act and the 13 principles of Australian privacy legislation relate to the safeguarding of personal and sensitive information.
3. System Integrity and Monitoring: Implementing robust monitoring to ensure the reliability, transparency and accountability of security measures
4. Compliance in Community Services: Addressing sector-specific requirements, including data classification, retention and access controls.

This strategy will provide the foundation for a proactive and sustainable approach to cyber security across HOPE that will ensure the data of our team, clients and partners is protected, and the trust of of our stakeholders is maintained.

Hope Community Services is committed to supporting individuals, families and communities facing life’s toughest challenges. We work across four key service pillars including alcohol and other drugs, mental health, family and domestic violence and youth justice.