Community Programs

Operation Community Firewall

A 2-hour community cybersecurity session bridging CIDLA's enterprise-grade security frameworks with the Good Things Foundation's accessible digital literacy resources.

Transforming vulnerable community members from passive targets into active, informed defenders in a single afternoon.

2 hrs

Total Duration

4

Learning Phases

Free

Entry Cost

Live

Hands-On Activities

Delivered in partnership with

Good Things Foundation Australia

The 2-Hour Delivery Plan

Four friendly, hands-on phases that guide everyone from curiosity to real confidence - no tech background needed, just bring yourself.

Phase 1

0 - 40 min

AI Threats

The Threat Reality - AI & Social Engineering

CIDLA Anchor: Week 3 - Hyper-Realistic Phishing & Deepfake Voice ScamsGood Things: "Spotting fake news"

We skip the technical jargon and go straight to what matters. You'll see a realistic phishing SMS - like a fake Australia Post delivery notice or a MyGov alert - and hear a short audio clip of an AI-cloned voice. It's eye-opening, and that's exactly the point.

Practical Activity

Working in pairs, you'll look at three real scam examples on a provided device and spot the warning signs together - things like a sense of urgency, odd payment requests, or URLs that just don't look right. It's easier than you think once you know what to look for.

Phase 2

40 - 80 min

Identity

Hardening the Target - Identity Protection

CIDLA Anchor: Week 2 - Identity & The Death of Standing PrivilegesGood Things: "Keeping Your Online Accounts Safe With Strong Passwords"

Forget the old rules that made passwords impossible to remember. We'll introduce you to the idea of a passphrase - four random words that are both strong and easy to recall - and walk you through turning on two-step verification for your email and banking accounts.

Practical Activity

You'll secure a real account right here in the room. Using Good Things Foundation's step-by-step guides, we'll switch on two-step verification together on your personal email. If you're curious about going further, we'll show you a physical security key - but the goal today is simply getting that first layer of protection switched on.

Phase 3

80 - 110 min

Crisis Response

The Golden Hour - Crisis Response

CIDLA Anchor: Week 3 - "The Golden Hour Simulation" & ReportCyberGood Things: "Scam first aid: What I need to do now"

Being scammed can feel overwhelming, and it's completely understandable to freeze. This phase is about removing that paralysis - because acting quickly in the first 60 minutes really does make a significant difference to the outcome.

Tabletop Scenario

"You just clicked a link and entered your banking login. The screen went blank. What are your next three steps?"

Group Discussion

Take a moment to discuss with the group - what would your first instinct be? There are no wrong answers here. Together, we'll work through what actually helps and why each step matters.

Phase 4

110 - 120 min

Sustained Learning

The Off-Ramp - Sustained Capability

Goal: Transition participants from an isolated event into continuous learning

Today is a great start, but staying safe online is an ongoing journey. We'll help you take one more easy step before you leave - so the learning doesn't stop when the session does.

Practical Activity - Homework Assignment

Have every participant navigate to the goodthingsaustralia.org/learn/ portal on their devices. Instruct them to bookmark the "Be Connected" library. Assign:

  • "Embracing the Internet: A Beginner's Guide"
  • "Getting started with Android/Apple" - to solidify device hygiene required to stay secure.

Good Things Foundation Resources

This program is anchored in the Good Things Foundation's proven, accessible resource library.

Get Online Week

Australia's digital inclusion event reaching thousands of vulnerable Australians every year.

The Digital Divide

Understanding why millions of Australians are still excluded from the digital economy.

Be Connected

The national program building the digital skills of older Australians.

Learning Portal

Free, structured digital literacy modules for community members at every skill level.

Register Interest

Join the Next Session

Register your interest to attend or host an Operation Community Firewall session. We'll notify you of upcoming program dates, venues, and any pre-session resources you'll need.

  • Free to attend - no cost to participants
  • Suitable for all digital skill levels
  • Delivered in partnership with Good Things Foundation
  • Live, hands-on activities on provided devices