With cyber breaches dominating the media headlines in recent weeks, REIWA has engaged one of Australia’s foremost experts on cyber security to speak at the REIWA Cyber Security Forum on 15 November. 

It comes as REIWA signs a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Edith Cowan University (ECU) as part of a five-year collaboration to support real estate agents and their clients to manage cybersecurity risks. 

REIWA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Cath Hart said REIWA was the first real estate Institute in the country to sign such an MOU.  

“Now is a critical time for the real estate industry to be proactive in this space. I am very proud that REIWA is leading the way in cyber security, given that around 90 per cent of real estate agents in WA are REIWA members. 

“Recent breaches across all sectors reflect an increasing level of sophistication and the need for the business community to be vigilant around safe-guarding data, which is collected and protecting transactions with clients from potential interception,” Ms Hart said. 

“Real estate transactions are increasingly becoming a target for cyber criminals who are using the state-wide housing shortage as an opportunity to take advantage of people when they are most vulnerable. 

“Our partnership with ECU will allow us to support people involved in real estate transactions as they navigate the complexity of managing cyber risk.  

ECU Executive Dean of the School of Science, and Interim Director of the ECU Security Research Institute, Andrew Woodward will provide a keynote address before joining a panel of experts. 

“The forum will provide agents and the public with important information on the issues that arise from breaches of security or data, how to prevent and manage breaches and reduce cyber risk to their business,” Ms Hart said. 

Mr Woodward said ECU places great importance on serving the communities that we live in. 

“The Security Research Institute at ECU has a significant focus on helping protect small and medium businesses. Cybercrime in the real estate sector has significant negative outcomes for businesses and consumers, and ECU is proud to be working with REIWA to help prevent attacks,” Mr Woodward said. 

Panel speakers include Clinton Byrne, Specialised Banking Executive NAB, Ches Rafferty CEO Scantek, and Kylie Dillon, CEO/Co-Founder of Realtime Conveyancer. 

This event is sold out.