Pet owners are greeted in a friendly, laid-back fashion when they call Torquay Animal House, on Victoria’s famous surf coast.
“You can drop your pet off before work, or when you go for a surf,” the vet clinic’s phone message says.
But the clinic is anything but relaxed when it comes to cyber security.
Dr Mark Yee, co-owner of Torquay Animal House, has recently become a Cyber Warden to help protect the business from the growing raft of cyber threats.
His 16 staff, including six highly trained vets, have also graduated from the course.
Dr Yee said it was important to ensure that pet owners felt safe entrusting the clinic with not only their furry friends but also with their sensitive data.
He told the Surf Coast Times that cyber security was a necessary focus for small veterinary practices.
“It is a sad reality of modern businesses,” he told the newspaper.
“It affects all small businesses. Last year, we got an employee impersonation email through a payroll scam that we recognised straight away.”
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.
Dr Yee told the Surf Coast Times that the training was “a good reminder” of the threats to businesses.
The busy animal hospital, which has become a local attraction due to its colourful murals, welcomes a diverse range of small animals, from dogs, cats, rabbits and guinea pigs, to rats, snakes or turtles.
“If everyone is aware of what to look for and general threats, we can continue operating,” Dr Yee says.
And his message to cyber criminals is clear: “Keep your paws off our business”.
