The Australian Data and Insights Association (ADIA) have developed a new industry-specific certification program that aims to deliver greater reassurance and security to organisations and their clients as increased cybercrime and high-profile data breaches become more frequent.
The program will be delivered through the ADIA Academy over a 12-month period, beginning in August, and aims to support the need to mitigate risk and maintain trust in a time of rising cybercrime activity.
The certification program is designed for small and large businesses and assists data, research and insights organisations in the preparation for certification to the global ISO 27001 standard.
ISO 27001 is recognised as the gold standard in information and data security best practice and helps organisations become risk-aware and proactively identify and address weaknesses in their information technology and security systems.
ADIA noted that in the past year, the Australian Cyber Security Centre’s Signals Directorate (ASD) responded to more than 1,100 cyber security incidents from Australian entities. It also highlighted that nearly 94,000 reports were made to law enforcement through ReportCyber—around one every six minutes, representing an increase of 23% from the previous year.
The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) also reported that malicious or criminal attacks, including ransomware, cyber extortion, scams, and digital theft, are the leading cause of privacy data breaches, with 91% of these involved in some form of email interaction with consumers.
Sarah Campbell, CEO of ADIA, said: “ADIA’s program is a clear and accessible pathway to ensure a company’s information security system meets the ISO 27001 certification requirement.
“Our member organisations are already recognised as having the best quality practices and standards in the country, working under Australia’s only registered APP privacy code and the industry trust mark. This latest compliance program strengthens these practices and will help ensure members’ data security systems and processes are world class.
Campbell continued: “The research and insights industry relies on the goodwill of the Australian public and ADIA members remain committed to ensuring that continues to be a priority in their business.
“Protecting consumer respondents and sustaining the industry allows researchers to tap into public opinion and provide evidence-based research for critical social policy and commercial businesses on decisions that matter.
“In addition to launching this new program in 2024, the ADIA will also work closely with the OAIC on a new Privacy Code for member organisations once the legislation is passed later this year,” she added.
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Top image: Sarah Campbell