E-Security Strengthened
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Media Release
8 May 2007
With millions of people and organisations turning to the Internet and other electronic communication, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock has announced greater efforts to protect those activities, allowing people to operate with greater confidence.
“Over the past few years we have seen an increase in the frequency and sophistication of attacks on our electronic infrastructure. These attacks threaten the privacy and security of Australians online and they threaten the reliable delivery of services by both business and government,” Mr Ruddock said.
The electronic operating environment for business, home users and government agencies will be supported with measures totalling $73.6 million over four years.
The Attorney-General's Department will lead this whole of Government initiative and will receive $12.4 million over four years to:
- Expand the Australian Government Computer Emergency Readiness Team (GovCERT.au) so that it can provide owners and operators of Australia’s critical infrastructure with information to help reduce the risks from sophisticated electronic attack and to provide government with information about the electronic risks to the critical infrastructure;
- Examine the development of a business centre that allows IT security information to be shared quickly and effectively between Government and critical infrastructure organisations; and
- Undertake a cyber-exercise program to improve our capacity to manage cyber-attacks including through participation in international cyber-exercises such as Cyber Storm II.
“It is imperative that we remain one step ahead of emerging e-threats. The measures announced in this year’s Budget will help create a secure and trusted operating environment that will benefit all Australians,” Mr Ruddock said.
The Australian Federal Police will also receive $15.6 million over four years to augment its ‘technology-enabled’ crime fighting capabilities. This funding will be used to:
- Create a specialised investigative capacity to support the identification and investigation of complex ‘technology-enabled’ crimes that threaten critical infrastructure;
- Develop e-security law enforcement tools in collaboration with industry and outside specialists; and
- Support the capabilities of countries in our region to combat ‘technology enabled’ crime.
“The measures announced in this Budget will help protect Australia’s electronic operating environment, and will contribute to Australia’s future social and economic well being,” Mr Ruddock said.
Media Contact: Steve Ingram (02) 6277 7300