Cyber security package will boost Australia’s spy agency resources

THE government has revealed for the first time it is on the “offensive” in the cyber warfare against foreign adversaries to prevent what is described as an unprecedented scale of attack on the nation.

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THE federal government has revealed for the first time it is on the “offensive” in the cyber warfare against foreign adversaries to prevent and disrupt what is described as an unprecedented scale of attack on the nation.

With the rate of compromise of both government and private sector networks rising, the Turnbull government will today announce a $230 million cyber security package to boost spy agency resources.

The strategy includes a deliberate but extraordinary declaration that defence­ and intelligence agencies were using ­“offensive” cyber capability against ­attackers which, while assumed, has never been officially acknowledged until now.

While the methods remain classified, it is believed to include remotely shutting down attacking networks or computers, planting viruses or disabling imminent military threats.

The strategy report clarifies that any use of offensive measures was within international law. While no country or ­organisation is identified in the report, it is well known in the intelligence community that some of the most spectacular recent cyber intrusions have originated from China and now, increasingly, Russia.

The Australian government and Chinese officials are now actively ­involved in talks, along with a UN working group, to establish international “norms of behaviour” on the use of cyber space.

A government source revealed the joint agency, the Australian Cyber Security Centre, now responds to about 1000 incidents a year classed as “significant”. The main targets included the defence industry, energy, communications, banking and transport.

The government strategy will also recruit Australian businesses to the front line of cyber defence, giving them access to top-level defence intelligence on threats and counter-measures to what is now estimated to be costing the nation $17 billion a year.

Prime Minister Turnbull will announce that the government will massively boost the capability of the intelligence agencies to counter cyber terrorism. It will recruit and train an extra 100 operatives to the Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT), the Australian Federal Police and other agencies.

The Australian Cyber Security Centre will also be relocated so company executives will be given easier access to briefings.

As revealed by The Daily Telegraph, this will be supported with the roll out of cyber security hubs in capital cities. There will also be a $10 million national awareness campaign.