Staying cyber safe with your mobile device

All Fire and Emergency personnel are responsible for good cyber security practice. 

While your mobile device might feel secure to you, it has several vulnerabilities that can put your, and Fire and Emergency’s, cyber security at threat. 

These vulnerabilities can be, but are not limited to, the following: 

• Communications can be overheard and screens can be overseen
• Information stored in the cloud can be accessed 
• Malware and smartphone apps that steal information 
• Attack through Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connections 
• GPS location tracking 
• Loss or theft 

To mitigate these risks, we should take these precautions: 

• Immediately report if your device is lost or stolen. 
• Turn on password protection and ideally use a strong password, but definitely DON’T use easy to guess PINs like 1234. 
• Device auto-lock – configure your device to lock automatically after a short period of time, ideally one minute. 
• Backup anything on your device that you don’t want to lose. 

• Airports – don’t put your devices in checked baggage. Retain control of them at all times, and report customs inspections to the IT Help Desk. You should consult with IT Support before travelling overseas. 
• Remove temporary copies of information as soon as possible. 
• Apps – only install the apps you actually use, and understand what access those apps have to your information. 
• Only use apps provided by Fire and Emergency, if Fire and Emergency information is handled by the app. For example, any team management apps must be approved for use by Fire and Emergency as you will be storing Fire and Emergency information on those apps. 
• Wi-Fi – avoid using public, unsecured Wi-Fi hotspots. 

• Turn off Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, the hotspot or AirDrop when you are not using them. 

The above actions should be applied to your day-to-day life, as staying safe online should be just as important in your personal life as it is at work. We don’t want to see any of our personnel fall victim to cyber security threats. 

If you have not already done so, please also make sure you complete the online learning module for Information Security on Learning Station(external link)(external link) and read the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Acceptable Use Policy(external link)(external link) so you know the rules around the use of our equipment and sharing of information. 

If in doubt, at any stage, please get in touch with: ITSupport@fireandemergency.nz or call 0800 374 843.