Cyber Security Minister Angus Taylor to meet with FBI over better data access

Cyber Security Minister to lead delegation to the US as cyber activity against Australia’s interests “increases in severity”.

Cyber Security Minister Angus Taylor will lead a delegation to teh US next week.

Cyber Security Minister Angus Taylor will travel to the United States next week with the Commonwealth Cyber Coordinator and Australian Federal Police Assistant Commissioner for high level official meetings with the FBI and Department of Homeland Security.

He will also reinforce the Turnbull government’s interest in opening negotiations for a new bilateral agreement with the US allowing greater co-operation between cyber security agencies and push for improved access to data held by US-based communication service providers.

Mr Taylor on Monday will lead a delegation of 65 Australian cyber security experts representing 45 companies to a security conference in San Francisco, arguing the trip will help in the development of a co-ordinated national cyber defence policy this year.

A key focus of the trip will be how to tackle the challenge of state-sponsored cyber attacks with Mr Taylor telling The Weekend Australian that cyber activity against Australia’s interests is “increasing in frequency, scale, sophistication and severity”.

“These attacks, whether from criminal syndicates or foreign states, needs to be called out and stopped,” he said. “It is also clear that governments cannot succeed alone and must work with the private sector to drive innovation and protect our digital borders”.

Mr Taylor and Commonwealth Cyber Coordinator, Alastair MacGibbon, and AFP Assistant Commissioner Neil Gaughan, will meet with senior officials in Washington including the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI.

They will also meet with representatives from PayPal, Twitter, Apple and Google to help build bridges with the private sector in addressing key challenges facing law enforcement.

“Strong partnerships with telecommunication, banking, and critical infrastructure providers are vital to protecting Australian families, businesses, and infrastructure and government networks,” he said.

Mr Taylor argues that improved access to data held by US-based communication service providers is one of the “highest priorities” for Australia. He also says the negotiation of a bilateral deal with the US on cyber security would allow agencies in each country to directly serve warrants and authorisations to access data to assist in criminal investigations.

“Cyber defence capabilities are strengthened with joint cyber activities and data sharing not only between governments, but also between governments and industry, to stop emerging cyber threats,” he said.