New plan to protect Aussies from cyber attacks
Hundreds of cyber spooks will be hired by the Federal Government in a $1.35 billion counter-attack to protect Australians from malicious online threats. Here’s how it will work.
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Hundreds of cyber spooks will be hired by the Federal Government in a $1.35 billion counter-attack to protect Australians from malicious online threats.
As Australia is targeted by sustained cyber hacking from China, Prime Minister Scott Morrison will on Tuesday unveil the unprecedented decade-long boost to our cyber security agencies.
More than 500 online spies will join the Australian Signals Directorate, which will also receive $31 million to fight back against offshore cyber criminals.
Mr Morrison said the investment would “help ensure we have the tools and capabilities we need to fight back and keep Australians safe”.
“The Federal Government’s top priority is protecting our nation’s economy, national security and sovereignty. Malicious cyber activity undermines that,” he said.
The package also includes $62 million for the ASD to work with vulnerable businesses to combat online threats, delivering tailored advice to protect their systems.
A new cyberthreat sharing platform worth $35 million will be set up to provide intelligence to government and industry about malicious online activity and emerging threats.
And another $12 million will help the ASD team up with telecommunications companies to protect the devices of ordinary Australians.
“This package will enable ASD and Australia’s major telecommunications providers to prevent malicious cyber activity from reaching millions of Australians by blocking known malicious websites and computer viruses at speed,” Defence Minister Linda Reynolds said.
Another $118 million will be used to expand the ASD’s data science and intelligence capabilities, which the government expects will keep Australia at the forefront of cyber security technological changes.
The massive funding boost has been locked in just days after Mr Morrison said Australia was under attack online from a “sophisticated state-based cyber actor”, with governments, businesses and critical infrastructure all targeted.
China was blamed for the online incursion but Chinese officials denied they were to blame.
Senator Reynolds said the government’s investment would help Australia manage “the rapidly evolving cyber threat landscape”.
“The package will put our nation on the front foot in combating cyber threats and our investment in a cyber security workforce will help ensure we have the people we need to meet future cyber challenges,” she said.
Further details about several hundred million dollars in spending will be detailed when the government releases its new cyber security strategy soon.
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