Published on the 26/01/2010 | Written by Newsdesk
Whatsit business security resource website simplifies IT security policy implementation, especially for smaller businesses
Online safety organisation, NetSafe recently launched an online cyber-safety technology service which should prove a valuable tool for small to medium-sized New Zealand businesses wanting to address aspects of ICT security risk.
NetSafe’s “The Whatsit” is a free online resource designed to create effective and appropriate ICT policy and procedures to ensure intellectual property and information is protected, provide targeted and effective education about cybersafety, and save business money by better utilising ICT spend.
NetSafe executive director Martin Cocker says the idea for The Whatsit came from New Zealand SMEs.
“We undertook some research into cybersafety and security practices of NZ SMEs, back in 2005. The findings showed that the majority of SMEs had incomplete or inadequate cybersafety, security processes and policies,” Cocker says.
“Later, workshops showed that SME business owners wanted to improve cybersafety and security in their workplace, but lacked the resources and technical skills to do so.”
He says The Whatsit (www.thewhatsit.org.nz) addresses all of these issues.
“Owners of small to medium businesses are often busy with the business of business.
They simply don’t have the time or the money to create policy about use of technology in the workplace, and it is not until something goes wrong that businesses look to put something formal in place. Often by then, it’s too little, too late,” he says.
“In business, information can be worth a lot of money – or conversely, not being able to access stored information, communicate with customers, or losing valuable intellectual property because of a computer virus, hacker or malware can be very costly and damaging.”
Business and personal use of ICT devices has become more prevalent in recent years, and with it the threat to business, says Cocker.
“Businesses rely on ICT technology to communicate, maintain accounting and customer records, and store other commercially sensitive information. Many owners are simply unaware of the risk posed by having unrestricted access to company computers and technology.
NetSafe worked with industry experts and lawyers to create the policy used by The Whatsit.
“By investing just half an hour’s time with The Whatsit and answering a few simple questions, a business owner can access independent advice about ICT potentially saving thousands of dollars as well as create a customised ICT policy for free,” says Cocker.
“From there they can begin to communicate the newly formed policy to their team, raise awareness of the importance of safeguarding company ICT and minimise risk to the business.”
Small business specialist and Bizzone managing director Sarah Trotman says that Whatsit meets an important need for many businesses that don’t have the resources to implement an IT policy but who still depend entirely on security of their IP and information.
“This type of policy provided by Whatsit would cost many hundreds if not thousands of dollars to create from scratch.
The Whatsit is a must-have and valuable resource for most New Zealand companies and in these tough times is a timely helping hand for business owners and their employees.”
