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STATS MATTERS & EVENTS

4 May 2023

Dear {Contact_First_Name},

Welcome to this week's newsletter with me, Lizzy, at the helm. I'll be taking over from Marie-Louise for the next 4 weeks while she enjoys a well-earned holiday in Canada. 

I am doing that extremely fun thing where you work full-time and study but as I keep telling myself and would tell the other students out there - it is a marathon not a sprint! Keep going! We are at that icky stage of the semester where you are not close enough to exams to start seriously stressing but close enough that you feel guilty for binge watching an entire season of Indian matchmaking on the weekend. 

In this week's newsletter we have a number of new external events including an open invitation to the international statistics conference in Canada. I'd also like to thank Shane Nelson for his article on Why Statisticians need Cyber Insurance which I have placed at the bottom of the newsletter.

 Kind regards, 

Lizzy

Elizabeth Russell
                                                                        
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SSA Office Closure 
The SSA Office will be closed from 27 April until 30 May 2023
while the Executive Officer is on leave.

Congratulations to SSA Past President Scott Sisson, 2023 IMS Fellow

The Statistical Society of Australia congratulates Professor Scott Sisson, SSA President from 2016-2018, on his selection as a Fellow of the Institute of Mathematical Statistics. Professor Sisson was nominated for his substantial contributions to computational and Bayesian statistics, as well as for his leadership within professional statistical societies. The SSA is proud to see a former President honoured in this way. Congratulations Scott!

You can read more about the 2023 IMS Fellows here

Awardees of Horizon lectures, ASC Scientific Programming Committee

The ASC 2023 Scientific Programming Committee are delighted to announce the awardees of the inaugural Horizon lectures:

A/Prof Margarita Moreno-Betancur. Nominated by Prof John Carlin.

Dr Marijke Welvaert. Nominated by A/Prof Alice Richardson.

A/Prof Andrew Zammit Mangion. Nominated by Prof Noel Cressie.

Margarite, Marijke, and Andrew will present their work in a joint plenary session at ASC/OZCOTS 2023. Further details can be found on the conference website

The committee thanks all SSA members who nominated their colleagues for the 2023 Horizon lectures. We look forward to seeing you in person or online in December.

SSA Events

SSA WA: Early Career & Student Statisticians Evening

9 May 2023, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM (AWST) @ Cheryl Praeger Lecture Room, The University of Western Australia 

The WA Branch of the Statistical Society of Australia are delighted to host an evening dedicated to Early Career and Student Statisticians. All visitors are welcome to attend this event, especially anyone studying or interested in pursuing a career in statistics. 

Two speakers have been invited to speak at this event: Sophie Giraudo (recipient of the 2022 Honours Scholarship) and Tim Pesch (PhD student at UWA). 

Members, visitors, and guests are invited to mingle over wine, beer, cider, soft drinks and pizza from 5:30PM. Following the meeting you are invited to dine with fellow attendees at a nearby restaurant. Early career and students will receive $20 off their meal. 

For details on the talks and to register click here

SSA NSW May event: Dr Gery Geenens - Towards a universal representation of statistical dependence -

17 May 2023, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM (AEST) @ UNSW 

SSA NSW is happy to announce a seminar by Dr Gery Geenens and Qian Jin. 

Dr Gery Greenens will present Towards a universal representation of statistical dependence and Qian Jin will present Generalized Partial Least Square with Deep Neural Network.

Please use the register via this page if you are attending in person. Please register here if you would like to attend online and receive a zoom link and details. 

Statistical Consulting Network May Meet-Up

26 May 2023, 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM AEST, held online

Come along with your thinking cap, maybe a problem, and some lunch!

The Statistical Consulting Network invites you to their monthly meet-up, a virtual lunchtime meeting where statisticians help each other out with problems that they aren’t sure how to deal with. This virtual meeting is held on Zoom at lunchtime on the last Friday of each month, 12:30-1:30 PM (AEDT). We start each meet-up with announcements, or occasionally a special topic discussion, then discuss problems that attendees have brought along with them.

We also have a Slack workspace where members of the consulting network can communicate between meetings, or post problems or relevant materials they would like to discuss during a meeting.

Zoom link

Slack Workspace link


Australian Statistical Conference (ASC) and Australian Conference on Teaching Statistics (OZCOTS) 2023

10–15 December 2023, Wollongong, NSW 

Hosted by the Statistical Society of Australia (SSA), this week-long conference covers both new developments and interesting applications of statistical methods. The theme for 2023 is ‘Statisticians in society’. The last two days overlap with OZCOTS, providing a great opportunity to dip into the teaching of statistics.

A diverse program includes speakers from academia, government and industry across a range of disciplines and career stages. The conference will be delivered in-person, with some hybrid sessions online. Highlights include: tips on statistical communication from Sir David Spiegelhalterwho holds a Cambridge Chair in Risk Communication, and a workshop on “Deep Statistics for More Rigorous and Efficient Data Science”, by Professor Xiao-Li Meng from Harvard. 

Find out more

Other events and notices

Call for suitable manuscripts on Political Demography from De Gruyter Journal 

Statistics, Politics, and Policy studies the way statistical analysis drives public policy decisions and economic policies. We publish significant research on the application of statistical ideas to problems that relate to society, economy, politics, and policy implementation. 

Even though interactions between demo- graphic factors and politics are frequent and powerful, the intersection of political science and population studies has for a long time re-mained under-researched. This is now slowly beginning to change (e.g. Goldstone, Kauf- mann & Duffy Toft 2012, Teitelbaum 2015, Goerres & Vanhuysse 2021) a process we would like to support. In this special issue we thus invite contributions to the field of political demography.

We especially invite submissions on the following areas and topics:

  • Ageing Societies/Changes in the age structure of societies and politics

  • Reproduction and politics

  • Demography, conflicts, and violence

  • Demography and democracy

  • Migration, politics and policies

  • Data-based theoretical contributions to the field

We accept the submission of research notes (5,000 words max.) and full articles (9,000 words) for this special issue.

To find out more information please visit De Gruyter website

64th World Statistics Conference, Ottawa Canda

It gives us great pleasure to invite you to the 64th ISI World Statistics Congress 2023 (ISI WSC 2023), to be held on 16-20 July 2023 in Ottawa, Canada. Canada is honoured to host this prestigious biennial event of the International Statistical Institute (ISI) for the second time; the first time being in 1963.

The 64th ISI WSC 2023 will bring more than together 2,000 delegates, comprising statistical researchers, academia, industry practitioners, analysts and policymakers, from all over the world to share insights on development in statistical science and to advance application of statistics for discovery, innovation and decision-making.

About 200+ premium talks and sessions in various statistical disciplines and applications will be presented and discussed over a period of four days. In addition to the Scientific Programme, satellite seminars, meetings and Short Courses will be organised as the pre-congress events. We believe that such a gathering of great minds will definitely surface great things!

For more information please go to the ISI website.

Job Vacancies 

Current Vacancies in SSA's Career Centre

Graduate or Early Career Statistical Consultant

Western Australia

Data Analysis Australia

Data Analysis Australia is seeking a Graduate ...

Multiple Data Analyst Roles - APS6 and APS5 - Perth

Western Australia

Department of Employment and Workplace Relations

Department of Employment and Workplace RelationsLocation ...

Multiple Data Analyst Roles - APS6 and APS5 - Sydney

New South Wales

Department of Employment and Workplace Relations

Department of Employment and Workplace RelationsLocation ...

Multiple Data Analyst Roles - APS6 and APS5 - Canberra

Australian Capital Territory

Department of Employment and Workplace Relations

Department of Employment and Workplace RelationsLocation ...

Multiple Assistant Directors - Data Management and Reporting - EL 1

New South Wales

Department of Employment and Workplace Relations

The Evidence and Assurance Division provides ...

Multiple Assistant Directors - Data Management and Reporting - EL 1

Australian Capital Territory

Department of Employment and Workplace Relations

The Evidence and Assurance Division provides ...

Revenue Officer- DIRECT HIRE (12 Month Register)

Multiple Locations (see description)

Internal Revenue Service

Duties WHAT IS THE DIVISION? SMALL BUSINESS ...

Internal Revenue Agent (Examiner) - Direct Hire (12 Month Register)

Multiple Locations (see description)

Internal Revenue Service

Duties WHAT ARE THE APPEALS (AP), LARGE BUSINESS ...

Lecturer in Applied Statistics

Western Australia

Curtin University

A new role for a statistician to teach data science ...

View All Jobs

Articles 

Why Statisticians Need Cyber Insurance by Shane Nelson

In today's digital age, cyber-attacks and data breaches are becoming increasingly common, affecting businesses of all sizes and industries. Statisticians are not immune to these threats, as they often handle sensitive data, making them a prime target for cybercriminals. The loss or compromise of this data can result in significant financial and reputational damage to the affected organisations and individuals.

Key Cyber Risks for Statisticians

Statisticians handle a wide range of sensitive data, including numerical, categorical, time-series, spatial, experimental, survey, big data, financial records, medical records, government records, confidential business information, and more. This data is often valuable to cybercriminals, who can use it for identity theft, financial fraud, leak sensitive information, sell it to interested third parties, or hold the data for ransom. The risks Statisticians face include data privacy and security breaches, cyber business interruption and recovery, defamation, intellectual property breaches, breach of contract and other disputes with services, and cybercrime. Cybercrime is a growing threat to businesses of all sizes and industries. Cybercriminals use various methods such as phishing, ransomware, social engineering, and more to gain access to sensitive data.

 

The Costs of a Data Breach

A data breach can have devastating financial consequences for businesses. In addition to the cost of responding to and recovering from the breach, organisations may also be liable for lawsuits, settlements, and judgments if sensitive data is compromised. For example, if a data breach results in a customer's sensitive information being exposed, the affected individual could file a lawsuit against the organization for damages. According to a report by IBM, the average cost of a data breach was $3.86 million in 2020.

 

What’s included in a Cyber Policy?

Cyber Insurance provides cover for financial loss and expenses that businesses may suffer as a result of a Cyber Event, including cyber-attacks from malware or other invasive software, cyber extortion, and social engineering. Claims covered under a Cyber policy are very broad, but are typically three core things: Liability (privacy lawsuits and regulatory defence), Internal Financial Loss (extortion, notification expenses, data recovery, business interruption, crime/theft), and Emergency Incident Response (costs incurred from responding to a Cyber Event).

Your policy also provides cover for Criminal Financial Loss/Social Engineering; this covers the human error side of things, such as clicking on suspicious links/emails/attachments which results in hackers gaining access to your systems or invoices that have been intercepted and bank details are changed without the knowledge of the employee and is subsequently paid (to name a couple).

In addition to covering losses to the business, a cyber policy also includes coverage for losses that may affect third parties due to cyber incidents. Cyber liability and third-party litigation coverage protect businesses against legal claims made by third parties for privacy and security liability. Regulatory investigations coverage protects against notifiable data breaches, fines, penalties, and defence costs. Media liability coverage provides protection against defamation and IP infringement claims.

A notable benefit of a cyber insurance policy is having access to Emergency Incident Response teams to assist when a cyber event occurs; this service is critical to mitigate any losses and get you back up and running with minimal downtime and impact to your business.

 

Benefits of Cyber Insurance

Cyber insurance can provide Statisticians with protection against financial loss in the event of a data breach or cyber-attack. This type of insurance can cover the costs of responding to and recovering from a cyber-attack, such as the cost of hiring an IT forensics team, paying for credit monitoring services for affected customers, and more. In addition, cyber insurance can also provide coverage for lost income if your business has to temporarily shut down as a result of a cyber-attack.

Moreover, cyber insurance can help protect Statisticians from potential legal action if sensitive data is compromised. For instance, if a data breach results in a customer's sensitive information being exposed, the affected individual could file a lawsuit against the statistician for damages. Cyber insurance can help cover the costs of legal representation and any settlements or judgments that may arise.

Importance of Cybersecurity Measures

While cyber insurance can provide valuable protection against the financial consequences of a cyber-attack, it is also crucial for Statisticians to take proactive measures to minimise their risk of a data breach. This can include implementing multi-factor authentication, strong password policies, regularly updating software and security systems, and educating employees on safe internet practices. Additionally, Statisticians should consider conducting regular cybersecurity audits to identify potential vulnerabilities and address them before they can be exploited by cybercriminals.

 

Best Practices for Choosing Cyber Insurance

When selecting a cyber insurance policy, Statisticians should consider several factors to ensure they choose the best coverage for their needs. It is essential to carefully read the policy documents and understand the coverage provided by the policy, including policy limits, coverage options, and exclusions. Choosing a reputable insurance provider and evaluating the insurer's financial strength is also important. Regularly reviewing and updating the cyber insurance policy is also crucial to ensure that it remains adequate for the business's evolving needs.

The Future of Cybercrime and Cyber Insurance

As technology continues to evolve, so too will the threat of cybercrime. It is vital for Statisticians to stay informed about the latest cyber threats and to update their cybersecurity measures accordingly. Cyber insurance will also continue to evolve to meet the changing needs of businesses, offering new and improved coverage options for Statisticians to consider.

Protect Your Business

We recommend that all businesses include Cyber Insurance in their Insurance Program, due to the increased risk of cyber-attacks and data breaches in today's digital age. By obtaining cyber insurance, Statisticians can protect themselves and their organisations against the financial consequences of a cyber-attack and ensure they are protected against potential legal action if sensitive data is compromised. While cyber insurance provides valuable protection, Statisticians must take proactive measures to minimise their risk of a data breach. Choosing the right cyber insurance policy is also crucial to ensure the best possible coverage. The future of cybercrime and cyber insurance will continue to evolve, and Statisticians need to stay informed and prepared for potential cyber incidents. Investing in cyber insurance is one of the smartest decisions that a Statistician can make, and it's a crucial step in ensuring the safety and security of sensitive data. By taking proactive measures to minimise the risk of a cyber-attack and obtaining the right cyber insurance coverage, Statisticians can protect themselves and their organisations against the potentially devastating financial and reputational consequences of a data breach.

 

Other Types of Insurance Statisticians Should Consider

Statisticians should also consider including professional indemnity, workers' compensation, public liability, office insurance, management liability, corporate travel, and personal accident insurance into their insurance program.

Professional Indemnity - Provides protection for financial loss resulting from errors or omissions in professional services.

Workers' Compensation - Legislated product and a requirement to have in place if you are employing workers.

Public / Products Liability – Provides protection against third-party injury/property damage as a result of the rendering of your services.

Office Insurance - provides coverage for office contents (incl furniture/fixtures), laptops/phones, business interruption coverage, and glass coverage, to name a few.

Management Liability – Provides cover for a range of risk exposures affecting the directors of private companies, including allegations of mismanagement, employment practices liability, statutory liability, crime, tax audit costs, and identity fraud expenses.

Corporate Travel - coverage for business-related travel.

Take Action Today

Don't wait until it's too late - protect your business and sensitive data from cyber threats by obtaining the right cyber insurance coverage today. Speak with an experienced insurance provider and evaluate your options carefully. By taking action now, you can ensure that you're prepared for potential cyber incidents and minimise the financial and reputational damage that may result from a data breach or cyber-attack. Get in touch with KBI Specialist Insurance Brokers today to secure your cyber insurance coverage and protect your business for the future.

(Apply for Statistician Insurance)    (Buy Cyber Insurance Now)



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