From fluffy puppies and sheepadoodles to curious cats and the odd chicken, Thornbury Veterinary Hospital is a hive of activity.
The team at the bustling clinic in Melbourne’s inner north tackle all manner of animal ailments.
Think grass seeds stuck in a sneezing nose, paw surgeries, vaccinations and bringing abandoned kittens back from the brink.
General manager Georgie Adler says she loves being part of a caring team that helps both pets and their owners.
“We help people who love their pets in what can often be a stressful time for them,” she says.
“We feel so lucky to be able to do what we do. To us, it’s not just a job, it’s an ongoing commitment and dedication to your best friend, in whatever way you need us.”
Georgie says the vet field is constantly evolving, and staff strive to stay up-to-date on new trends, treatments or technologies.
And no matter how busy the clinic gets, staying cyber-safe is a priority for the business, which is why she undertook the free Cyber Wardens program.
“We hire an IT company to protect all of our computers, but it is still important for the whole team to be aware of the risks and how to respond,” she says.
“Before I did the course, I didn’t know as much about all the different ways cyber threats can present.”
After completing the Cyber Wardens training, Georgie says she feels more confident in identifying potential cyber security risks and acting on them quickly.
Her advice to other small businesses is to train their staff, remain vigilant, and create strong defences against cyber threats.
Georgie is also getting on the front foot to help warn people of the dangers of using pet names as passwords.
The clinic starred in a recent media story to alert small business owners that pet names are among the easiest passwords for cyber criminals to hack and gain access to confidential business accounts.
Bella, Luna, Oscar, Charlie, Milo, Max, Coco, Ollie, Pepper, Tilly and Zoe were the top male and female dog names in Australia in 2024, one survey found.
COSBOA CEO Luke Achterstraat says vet practices are among the small businesses being targeted by cyber criminals in a bid to get their claws into sensitive business and financial data.
“We know Australians love their pets, but please don’t use their name as your password,” he says.
“Passwords are your first line of defence against cyber break-ins. We advise strong, long and unique passwords to keep your accounts secure or, as a gold standard, passphrases using at least four unrelated words.”
Vet practices are among the small healthcare businesses that can now fulfil their training requirements while boosting their cyber awareness.
The Cyber Wardens program is available for CPD (Continuous Professional Development) training through a range of peak bodies, including the Australian Medical Association (AMA), the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), and the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA).
If you’re a vet, a vet nurse, or a vet practice team member, you can claim Cyber Wardens as one CPD point toward your annual CPD requirements.
