Internet Safety Challenges for Community Organisations

Welcome to the Community Groups section of the NetSafe website. Like schools and businesses, community organisations need to establish safe internet environments. Check back regularly to see the material we will be developing for community groups to use with their staff and clients over the coming months.

• Establishing a cybersafety framework

Every organisation that uses information and communication technologies like the internet and mobile phones needs to have a robust cybersafety framework in place. As with other safety policies and procedures, such infrastructure can help protect your staff, volunteers and the community you serve from harm.

There are several aspects to implementing a cybersafety framework:

- establishing a safe environment for members of the public that may use your group's communication systems

- establishing a safe internet workplace environment for employees and volunteers

- educating staff, volunteers and clients about their role in the maintenance of a cybersafe environment.

The 2007 NetSafe Kit for Schools provides an excellet starting point for community organisations who are just starting to consider cybersafety issues. This step-by-step guide outlines the process of establishing a cybersafety framework, and components of the kit (such as the sample policy and protocol for handling an incident of misuse) can be adapted and utilised by your group. Contact NetSafe if you have any questions about using the kit, or would like to confidentially discuss your particular cybersafety requirements.

• Cybersafety Use Agreements for Community Groups

NetSafe encourages every organisation that makes use of today's information and communication technologies (such as the internet, email and mobile phones) to adopt our cybersafety use agreement template. The agreement has been specially modified for community and not-for-profit organisations, and defines staff obligatons, responsibilities, and the nature of possible consequences associated with cybersafety breaches and behaviour which might undermine the safety of the workplace environment. As your specific details and requirements will differ, the use agreement is able to be customised to suit your organisation. Contact NetSafe on 0508 NETSAFE (638 723) or queries@netsafe.org.nz for assistance or more information.

If you have any questions, please contact NetSafe.  We're happy to assist!