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<\/p>\nVETERINARY practices are being encouraged to bolster their cyber security as online attackers<\/p>\n
increasingly target small businesses in the healthcare sector.<\/p>\n
The Cyber Wardens program, a government-funded initiative by the Council of Small Business Organisations of Australia (COSBOA), is offering free training to help vet clinics safeguard sensitive business and client data.<\/p>\n
Dr Mark Yee, co-owner of Torquay Animal House, said cyber security had become a necessary focus for small veterinary practices.<\/p>\n
“It is a sad reality of modern businesses,” he said. “It affects all small businessess.”<\/p>\n
With 16 staff handling emails and using the clinic’s computer system daily, Dr Yee said cyber threats were a growing concern.<\/p>\n
“Last year we got an employee impersonation email through a payroll scam that we recognised straight away.”<\/p>\n
COSBOA chief executive officer Luke Achterstraat said vet practices were among a raft of healthcare businesses being targeted.<\/p>\n
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‘It’s not the first thing that springs to mind during a visit to the vet, but hackers are getting their claws into vet practices to try and steal data such as the financial details of pet owners.<\/p>\n
“We want to urge vet practices across Australia to put a muzzle on cyber criminals.<\/p>\n
“Given Australia has one of the highest rates of pet ownership in the world – about 5.7 million households have a pet – vet practices are a lucrative target.”<\/p>\n
The Australian Veterinary Association has accredited Cyber Wardens as professional development training, meaning veterinary staff can now earn CPD (Continuous Professional Development) points while learning how to protect their businesses.<\/p>\n
Dr Yee said the training was simple but effective.<\/p>\n
“The training was easy, all commonsense stuff and a good reminder of what’s out there. If everyone is aware of what to look for and general threats, we can continue operating.”<\/p>\n
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He said knowing his staff were trained gave him confidence and also reassured his clients.<\/p>\n
“We want to make sure we can maintain our record of best practice.”<\/p>\n
Torquay Animal House, which has served the Surf Coast since 1993, provides veterinary care in a purpose-built facility with modern medical and surgical equipment.<\/p>\n
Dr Yee joined as a partner in 2018, helping to expand the clinic’s services to meet the evolving needs of pet owners.<\/p>\n
With cyber crime on the rise, he urged other small businesses<\/p>\n
to take action.<\/p>\n
“Keep your paws off our business,” he said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
VETERINARY practices are being encouraged to bolster their cyber security as online attackers increasingly target small businesses in the healthcare sector. The Cyber Wardens program, a government-funded initiative by the Council of Small Business Organisations of Australia (COSBOA), is offering free training to help vet clinics safeguard sensitive business and client data. Dr Mark Yee, […]<\/p>\n