Building network hackers can’t crack a priority

Building a new ‘hack-proof’’ mobile network is being actively examined by the nation’s national security experts.

The Australian government revealed this week that the computer systems of Australia’s parliament and political parties were attacked earlier this month by a foreign government

Building a new “hack-proof’’ mobile network is being actively examined by the nation’s national security experts to protect whole power grids, hospitals and universities from being shut down by state-sponsored cyber attacks.

The plan, being studied by the Home Affairs Department, comes as the federal government is also looking at industry support programs to generate more products from Australian technology companies in a bid to improve ­national cyber defences.

Consideration of a “secure’’ government-protected network to protect crucial infrastructure comes amid growing concerns about cyberattacks aimed at Australian government and business, possibly originating in Russia and China, and after Australia blocked Chinese company Huawei from providing equipment to future 5G networks.

The Australian government also revealed this week that the computer systems of Australia’s parliament and political parties were attacked earlier this month by a foreign government.

Canberra blamed Beijing and Moscow for previous cyber hacks and parliamentarians are demanding stricter email security.

While it would be built by the private sector, Australia’s top cyber experts and spies would be involved in securing and protecting the network, so it would be safer than current commercial networks.

A source told The Australian the proposal was either for multi­ple networks or one countrywide network where technical assistance and even emergency response capabilities were provided by the government.

It could mean all sensitive data, switches and monitoring tools related to running an airport, a hospital, a dam or a power grid would be within the network. The source said even banks could use the “trusted environment”.

In 2015, hackers used malware to carry out a devastating cyber attack on a power grid in Ukraine that cut electricity to nearly 250,000 people. While the Australian government is concerned about these sorts of attacks, it is also worried about theft of sensitive military information and hi-tech research at our universities.

Last year, the Australian National University’s systems were reportedly attacked by China-based hackers.

A spokeswoman for Home Affairs did not deny the proposal was on the table and confirmed the government was looking at setting up a “trusted Australian cyber ecosystem”.

“The government is looking to deepen partnerships with industry, including critical infrastructure sectors, to co-ordinate more effectively and leverage our respective strengths for the benefit of a national outcome to enhance cyber security,” the spokeswoman said.

“Developing a trusted Australian cyber ecosystem requires industry and academia to play a leading role, with support from government, as part of a holistic national cyber security apparatus.”

The spokeswoman also said Australia’s “sovereign cyber security capability” depended on boosting the technology offerings of local companies.

“Government’s role also includes providing support to amplify the skills and capabilities of domestic industry by investingin both niche capability and specialised areas of focus in order to enhance sovereign cyber security capability,” she said.

“This will be required so that all parts of the developing secure Australian cyber ecosystem –individuals, business and government – have an Australian option to procure secure products.”