Civic IPN is one of Australia’s most respected independent property valuation networks. With offices stretching across metropolitan and regional areas, the firm serves a wide spectrum of clients, from major banks and government departments to private businesses and individual investors. As the volume and sensitivity of data handled by Civic IPN grew, so did the importance of robust cybersecurity measures. The organisation needed a partner capable of strengthening its security posture across multiple offices and ensuring compliance with industry standards.
Operating a nationwide valuation network presents unique cybersecurity challenges. Valuers and consultants frequently work on the move, accessing sensitive valuation data from offices, client locations, and remote sites. Traditional VPNs provided broad network access and proved insufficient for a modern, distributed workforce. At the same time, increasingly sophisticated phishing and email-based attacks threatened employees with credential theft and data breaches. Regulatory and client demands for demonstrable information-security management, particularly alignment with ISO 27001, added further pressure. With a lean in-house IT team, Civic IPN needed to expand its security capabilities without building a costly internal cyber unit.
Civic IPN engaged Cyberensic to deliver a comprehensive Cyber as a Service (CaaS) program. This subscription model provided a flexible pool of consulting hours, allowing the firm to draw upon expert cybersecurity resources as needed. Cyberensic’s approach combined advanced technologies with tailored training and governance support. Key elements included:
SASE and ZTNA: A unified, cloud-native network security platform replaced legacy VPNs, combining secure web gateways, firewalls-as-a-service, and zero-trust access controls. This ensured that valuers could access only the applications they needed, with policies applied consistently across all offices.
Email Security and Phishing Simulation: Sophisticated email filters and threat detection stopped spam, malware, and business-email compromise attacks. Cyberensic’s security awareness program delivered structured training in phishing recognition, social engineering, password hygiene, and data handling. Interactive phishing simulations and dashboards kept staff engagement high and highlighted areas for improvement.
Microsoft 365 Hardening and Access Control: The CaaS service included implementation of multi-factor authentication, least-privilege principles, role-based access controls, and just-in-time access. These measures strengthened identity and access management across Civic IPN’s cloud and collaborative tools.
ISO 27001-Aligned ISMS: Cyberensic helped establish a formal Information Security Management System that defined policies, risk registers, incident-response playbooks, and board-level reporting. The ISMS aligned Civic IPN with ISO 27001 requirements and demonstrated a commitment to risk management and continuous improvement.
Penetration Testing and Incident Response: Certified red-team specialists conducted internal and external penetration tests and simulations. These exercises exposed vulnerabilities before attackers could exploit them and provided actionable remediation guidance. Incident response playbooks were tailored to Civic IPN’s environment to ensure quick and coordinated action in the event of a security incident.
GRC Automation via Cyberensic.ai: To centralise governance, risk, and compliance activities, Civic IPN adopted Cyberensic’s GRC automation platform. The system managed frameworks like ISO 27001, tracked risk and control implementation, automated audit workflows, and facilitated third-party risk management.
Civic IPN saw immediate and lasting benefits from its partnership with Cyberensic:
Enhanced Security Posture: The SASE/ZTNA model unified security policies and restricted access to authorised applications, significantly reducing the attack surface.
Increased Staff Vigilance: Phishing training and simulated attacks resulted in measurable reductions in click-through rates and improved reporting of suspicious emails.
Regulatory Readiness: The ISO 27001-aligned ISMS equipped Civic IPN with policies, controls, and evidence required for client and regulator audits.
Operational Flexibility: CaaS offered on-demand access to cybersecurity expertise, allowing Civic IPN to request policy reviews, risk assessments, or incident-response support without hiring staff.
Strengthened Trust: With visible improvements in governance and security, Civic IPN reinforced its position as a trusted partner for lenders, government agencies, and clients.
“I highly recommend Cyberensic to assist any organisation with their data security requirements. Cyberensic help us with ongoing cybersecurity controls, support around email systems, ongoing cyber training and ensure that our platform is up to scratch to meet the challenges of cybersecurity. Their business is security, and they keep us secure across all our digital platforms”
— Jeff Rogers, Executive Director, Civic IPN
Civic IPN’s experience demonstrates that robust cybersecurity is attainable without building a large internal security team. By leveraging a subscription-based model and modern security frameworks, the firm strengthened its defences, met stringent compliance requirements, and maintained trust with clients and regulators. This case underscores the importance of combining technology, governance, and human awareness to protect sensitive information and keep pace with evolving cyber threats.