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Cyber security experts discuss prevention and cost of cybercrime at latest Auspire event

  • 25 October 2022

On Tuesday 25th October, Auspire hosted an event on navigating the minefield of cyber security, a subject that is on everyone’s minds given the current national headlines.

Business owners, government officials, community leaders, students and educators gathered to hear from three experts on their respective experiences, which covered scams and personal data to passwords and internet chat rooms.

On behalf of event partner, Edith Cowan University, Professor Paul Haskell-Dowland spoke about how a cyber security attack is reported every eight minutes. With a focus on small to medium-sized businesses, he raised the concern of how many are at risk of sharing passwords, the importance of encryption and how little prevention is actually happening in this space. He called on consumers and businesses to ask: “How secure is my data?”

speaker on stage with audience in the foreground

With a background in educating students, teachers and parents in online safety, Surf Online Safe founder, Paul Litherland, highlighted platforms that young people are using that adults have not even heard of. Rather than attempt to take the internet away from them, the 2022 WA Australian of the Year advised adults to be more involved and aware.

speaker on stage

Both Pauls were then joined on stage by Felicia Prindiville from WA ScamNet, for a panel discussion led by event emcee, Oliver Peterson from 6PR Perth. Together, they discussed the confusion around passwords and how to remember them, as well as the battle between social media platforms and individuals and businesses.

Questions were then thrown to the audience, who asked how to help older people, assistance for people from a multicultural background and what support there is for people in remote communities.

audience member asking a question to panel of speakers

Guests also heard from Annie Chi, Digital Manager of Chevron Australia, National Diversity and Inclusion Partner of the Australian of the Year Awards.

Barry Winmar, who was recently announced as the newest addition to the Auspire Board, delivered a moving Welcome to Country. Auspire CEO, Morgen Lewis, closed proceedings with thanks to the insightful speakers, supporting partners, Mr Peterson and Mr Winmar.

Auspire would like to thank Edith Cowan University, Commonwealth Bank, 6PR Perth and Chevron Australia for their support of this event.

View images from the event here.

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