Infoxchange

23/03/2025

Learn how to protect yourself from scams for free with Infoxchange and the Cyber Safe Hub.

As scams and online fraud become more sophisticated, having reliable knowledge and easy-to-understand resources can help you stay safe online and protect yourself from becoming a victim.

The Cyber Safe Hub is an initiative of Infoxchange, with generous support from MoneyMinded and the Australian Cyber Security Centre. It provides 100% free online training on topics such as the types of internet scams, how to tell when someone online is dishonest, what to do if you've been a victim of online fraud and more.

Learn more or get started now at:

As scams and online fraud become more sophisticated, having reliable and easy-to-understand resources can help you stay safe online and avoid becoming a victim. The Cyber Safe Hub provides 100% free online training designed to teach you how to protect yourself from scams and online fraud for free.

24/10/2024

We've got some seats remaining for our upcoming anti-scam protection training.

Next Wednesday, join us as we discuss understanding the different types of scams, and how you can spot and protect yourself from them.

Save yourself one of the remaining seats, and share with anyone you think will benefit.

Register here:

Scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, targeting both individuals and organisations. Our webinar on how to protect yourself from scams is designed to provide you with the knowledge and tools you need to protect yourself from a wide range of fraudulent activities.

02/10/2024

It's and we're continuously looking at ways to improve cyber security protections for our customers, and through educational resources for the sector more broadly.

Australians lost more than $2.7 billion to scams last year (ACCC, 2024), and it's important we can help vulnerable communities at risk.

We have seats available for our upcoming anti-scam series. If you're a not-for-profit staff member, we encourage you to share these sessions with your clients and network to learn how to better protect them from increasingly prevalent scams.

If you'd like a facilitator for your group or community, please don't hesitate to reach out. You can enquire to access a facilitator through the link in the description of our next anti-scam session here: https://cybersafety.infoxchange.org/enrol/index.php?id=196

Upcoming sessions:

- 16th October, 11.30am-12.30pm AEDT: https://cybersafety.infoxchange.org/enrol/index.php?id=196

- 30th October, 2.30-3.30pm AEDT: https://cybersafety.infoxchange.org/course/view.php?id=197

- 12th November, 11am-12pm AEDT: https://cybersafety.infoxchange.org/course/view.php?id=198

- 27th November, 12pm-1pm AEDT: https://cybersafety.infoxchange.org/course/view.php?id=199

12/10/2023

We’re excited to announce the Asia-Pacific Digital Transformation WebCon Program, with the support of Google.org and the Asian Development Bank has begun – and you’re invited to participate.

Over the month of October, November and December, we’ll be delivering a free digital capability training webinar program to help upskills organizations in cyber security, digital marketing, AI, data capture/analysis and cloud collaboration.

Up first is cybersecurity – a critical area of learning that is everyone’s responsibility. We’ll cover how to protect yourself and your organization against risks and threats. You can sign up directly through the link below – note you will need to login to register. Once you register, we’ll send invites to our upcoming thematic webinars.

Register here: https://learning.digitaltransformation.ngo/course/index.php?categoryid=1&topics=3

- Cyber security threats and trends: 16th October, 2023

- Protecting your 365 tenant from threats: 17th October, 2023

- Cyber security for NFP managers: 18th October, 2023

- Advanced Microsoft cyber security protections: 24th October, 2023

- NGO cyber security tips from across the globe: 26th October, 2023

- Protecting your organisation’s Google Workspace and Cloud + AI for security: 27th October, 2023

Looking forward to seeing you there!

This webinar will explore the latest cyber security threats and trends from a not-for-profit perspective and discuss important best practices that...

11/07/2023

Today we're throwing the spotlight on the local legend known as Robert Kalka, our Business Development Manager. Take it away Rob!

"Hi, I’m Rob. A grandfather, musician, traveller, cook, kayaker and 'teller of dad jokes'.

My parents’ experiences as refugees influenced my career and I’ve been fortunate to have worked in international development, fair trade, primary health care and disability services. I joined Connecting Up in October 2018, just prior to its merger with Infoxchange. So, I’m coming up to 5 years of service in a few months.

I'm a Business Development Manager with Infoxchange’s Products, Services and Technology team. More specifically, the BDM for Connecting Up’s Donation and Discounts program.

My work involves sourcing generously discounted products for the Connecting Up and TechSoup NZ catalogues. I manage relationships with the tech companies offering us their products. And I help not-for-profits become aware of the great products we provide at minimal cost.

What do I love about it? Making technology affordable for thousands of weird and wonderful not-for-profits to use digital tools to solve problems, save money and be more effective. Our program saves the NFP sector over $20 Million in IT costs every year!

Speaking of weird and wonderful, I also love our Adelaide office family. They’re experienced, accomplished, and always ready to help each other out. It also feels bloody good every time a tech company signs our agreement after we’ve negotiated a large discount for our NFP members.

Infoxchange and the Connecting Up program have tremendous potential to grow and develop, and it’s exciting to be part of this work. Please contact me if you know of a not-for-profit that’s not yet aware of Connecting Up membership and its benefits."

Nice one Rob!

09/07/2023

“When we help that charity deliver better services through better technology, that’s amplified through the people they support. It’s the people the charities assist that is what really excites us.” - Marcus Harvey, Manager of Infoxchange's Digital Transformation Hub

Not-for-profits can visit the Digital Transformation Hub’s Expert Bar for an hour’s advice on their next best steps. They can also receive advice on migrating databases and systems to the Cloud, improving data security, embracing CRMs, and tuition on Microsoft Office systems.

The Hub offers sector-specific “technical foundations” resources, including information systems, digital marketing, IT management and cyber security.

Infoxchange also helps to deliver donated and discounted technology to the sector. The savings can be enormous – disability service provider Orana saved $150,000 via Microsoft discounts when updating its outdated IT systems.

Today more than 10,000 organisations have accessed the Digital Transformation Hub. And if 10,000 organisations have got help, that means their clients have got help too – more than a million people. The multiplier effect is enormous.

Thank you to The Lord Mayor Charitable Foundation and Gandel Foundation for launching this important service.

Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation has funded a new digital transformation service at Infoxchange, a not-for-profit social enterprise providing tech services...

04/07/2023

OUR PEOPLE, OUR VALUES This week we’re passing the mic to David Simpson, our Solution Analyst, who talks about what the value “Innovation” means to him and how he sees it demonstrated through life at IX.

"Hi everyone! For me, innovation means making changes to something established, especially by introducing new methods, ideas, or products.

That means challenging the playbook and not accepting the answer “It’s how we’ve always done things” as a reason to continue doing them in the same way.

Innovation is a core part of my job description. Every day I ask myself and those around me: can we improve this?

Innovation might be found in something like evaluating proposed changes for our client management system, to identify if there’s a way to improve the experience for any stakeholders, whether that be an end-user, consultant, Quality & Assurance team member or Developer."

Nice one, David!

04/07/2023

"Australia’s largest hardship assistance directory, Ask Izzy, broke records in May with more than 128,000 searches logged for food, financial assistance, housing, mental health, legal support and other services. It was the platform’s biggest month since it launched in 2016."

https://www.vice.com/en/article/5d9dk8/demand-for-almost-every-type-of-social-service-in-australia-is-increasing

The steepest incline in the last 12 months was in searches for food support.

04/07/2023

Infoxchange and Telstra are proud to announce an upgrade to the prepaid recharge program, helping connect Australians doing it tough for longer.

Australians facing tough circumstances will now have access to a boosted 'Telstra Top-Up' program, providing a recharge valued at $160 with unlimited calls-and texts to standard Australian numbers, and 70GB of data to use over six months.

The program, which is currently available to Australians affected by homelessness, family violence, or natural disasters, has been running since July 2019 and previously offered three separate $40 monthly recharges each valid for 28 days.

Available through Infoxchange’s client and case management system (CCM), the initiative has so far helped facilitate over 90,000 top ups and provided over $3.75 million worth of support, helping vulnerable Australians maintain critical connection to loved ones and online resources.

Infoxchange's CCM is widely adopted by approximately 80% of Australia's housing and family violence services, ensuring that more Australians facing tough circumstances can access the top-up program. Currently, over 750 organisations, including WESNET (Women's Services Network) Inc., Australian Red Cross, Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre, The Salvation Army, Save the Children Australia and UnitingCare Australia are using the program.

The 'Telstra Top-Up' program is available through service providers and community agencies using Infoxchange's services. To be eligible, individuals seeking assistance need to be using a Telstra prepaid SIM (available for as little as $2) to access the benefit.

As more Australians turn to community agencies for assistance when times are tough, Infoxchange and Telstra will be exploring ways to reach more vulnerable people through the Telstra Top-Up program.

Community organisations and service providers in the social sector that assist clients in need of financial assistance (who may be experiencing food insecurity, mental health challenges, disabilities, and refugees) are invited to express interest in signing up for the Telstra Top-Up program.

Find out more here: https://www.infoxchange.org/au/community-programs/telstra-top-up

03/07/2023

This morning The Guardian's Social Affairs Reporter Stephanie Convery shared the unfortunate news that Infoxchange's Ask Izzy just hit its highest requests for hardship assistance on record.

Every year, Ask Izzy connects millions of Australians in need with emergency assistance like food, mental health support, housing and other critical services. But last month, the numbers hit an all-time high.

‘Since the launch of Ask Izzy, this is the highest level of requests for hardship services and emergency relief that we’ve seen. This is putting greater pressure on not-for-profits and local community organisations who are at the front level of responding to these records level of service demand. Our data tells us how inequality in Australia is deepening as the cost of living soars.’ - David Spriggs, CEO of Infoxchange

While the news of the hardship requests hitting an all-time high is not good news, we want to express our thanks to all those who make Ask Izzy possible, including the dedicated full-time team at Infoxchange, donors and the social services and local organisations helping the most vulnerable Australians by connecting to the network. More than 400,000 social support services are available via the directory.

Searches have soared on Ask Izzy, an online directory for help with food, rent and mental health, campaigners say

27/06/2023

TEN MILLION Infoxchange Service Directory Searches!

Infoxchange is this week recognising our 10 millionth search using our Service Directory since July 2018.

While this is bittersweet news - we are sad to see the numbers so high, as each search indicates someone in need of social services such as food, housing, family violence help and more - we are also proud that we can offer a user-friendly, accessible product that users as well as organisations helping the user, can use to locate the most appropriate service to help.

Below you'll see some of Infoxchange's invaluable staff: the Service Directory team! These champions keep the records in our Service Directory up-to-date.

The Service Directory powers our popular social support search engine, Ask Izzy, and all of our e-referral products (so that organisations who use our Client & Case Management product can make quick and easy external referrals within the CCM).

Their hard work and dedication ensure the records for each organisation are current and that we can keep adding new organisations into the Service Directory. It now has over 420,000 records!

Thank you to the Service Directory team for the important work you do.