Australian Cyber Security Strategy

This was written by Michael Cheek on Tuesday, November 24, 2009, 11:37.

The Australian government has joined in moving forward cyber security, with a new Cyber Security Initiative. The initiative contains several key goals, including education and awareness for individual citizens, securing government systems and securing private sector infrastructures.

The Australian Attorney General’s office is the lead organization for cyber security issues in Australia. The strategy was put forth on November 23, 2009 and provides a definition of cyber security along with the goal of the strategy.

The strategy defines cyber security as: Measures relating to the confidentially, availability and integrity of information that is processed, stored and communicated by electronic or similar means.

The goal of the strategy is to ensure: The maintenance of a secure, resilient and trusted electronic operating environment that supports Australia’s national security and maximises the benefits of the digital economy.

The new initiative also established new cyber centers for Australia, particularly an Australian version of CERT (computer emergency response team). The Australian CERT is expected to become operational sometime in 2010. Most importantly, Australian CERT will have the lead coordination role in the event of cyber attack.

The other center is the Cyber Security Operations Centre, which is part of the Defence Signals Directorate. The center is designed to detect and combat cyber attacks and utilizes a variety of intelligence and law enforcement resources.

The initiative also clearly defined the roles of a number of government organizations including: the Attorney General, Federal Police, Communications and Media Authority, Security Intelligence Organization, Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, and the Defence Signals Directorate.