Security News

US and Australia to develop shared cyberattack training platform
2020-12-04 12:28

The United States and Australia have signed a first-ever bilateral agreement that allows the U.S. Cyber Command and the Information Warfare Division of the Australian Defense Force to jointly develop and share a virtual cyber training platform. The two countries' departments of defense will achieve this by incorporating IWD's feedback into USCYBERCOM's simulated training domain known as the Persistent Cyber Training Environment.

In 2016 Australia's online census failed. Preparations for the 2021 edition have been rated 'partly effective'
2020-11-20 02:58

In 2016 Australia's online census crashed and burned after legitimate attempts to complete the survey were mistaken for a DDoS attack, the routers funnelling traffic failed, and disaster recovery plans did likewise. "Generally appropriate frameworks have been established covering the Census IT systems and data handling, and the procurement of IT suppliers. The ABS has not put in place arrangements to ensure that improvements to its architecture framework, change management processes and cyber security measures will be implemented ahead of the 2021 Census."

Australia to track coronavirus encounters with payment card records
2020-11-16 02:00

Australia will develop the capability to use payment records in the service of coronavirus contact tracing. A National Contact Tracing Review released last Friday called for a raft of information technology responses to the pandemic, on grounds that containment of the novel coronavirus will be needed even after a vaccine emerges.

Diplomats are supposed to be subtle and clever. Australia’s just leaked 1,000 citizens’ email addresses
2020-10-01 04:23

Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has just exposed personal details of over 1,000 citizens in an email. Australia has all-but-closed its borders during the COVID-19 pandemic, rationing the number of citizens who can fly into the country each day.

Don't pay the ransom, mate. Don't even fix a price, say Australia's cyber security bods
2020-09-12 08:33

Most online attacks could be easily avoided by following basic cyber security advice, Australia's national cyber security bureau has said - even as it warned that the impact and severity of things like ransomware attacks are getting worse and worse. "Cybercriminals follow the money," said the Australian Cyber Security Centre in its annual report for 2019-20, published earlier this week.

UK, Australia Investigate Clearview Facial Recognition Firm
2020-07-10 12:12

Privacy watchdogs in Britain and Australia have opened a joint investigation into facial recognition company Clearview AI over its use of personal data "Scraped" off social media platforms and other websites. Clearview AI Inc. came to attention after investigative reports detailed its practice of harvesting billions of photos from social media and other services to identify people.

DDoS and dingoes: Australia to bolster cyber-defences with 500 hackers amid China spat
2020-06-30 13:49

Australia will hire 500 hackers as part of a AU$1.35bn boost to protect the nation's networks from a wave of cyber attacks. Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced this morning that the government would funnel the money from existing defence funding over the next decade to bolster the capabilities of the Australian Signals Directorate and the Australian Cybersecurity Centre.

Australia Ramps Up Cyber Spending After State-Backed Attacks
2020-06-30 06:12

Australia unveiled the "Largest-ever" boost in cybersecurity spending Tuesday, days after Prime Minister Scott Morrison spoke out about a wave of state-sponsored attacks suspected to have been carried out by China. Morrison said Tuesday that malicious cyber activity against Australia was increasing in frequency, scale and sophistication.

Australia's Lion brewery hit by second cyber attack as nation staggers under suspected Chinese digital assault
2020-06-19 19:10

As Australia reels under sustained cyber attacks following increased Chinese diplomatic hostility, the country's Lion brewery and dairy conglomerate has been hit for the second time. The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Lion told its staff today "It had been hit by a second cyber attack that had further disrupted its IT systems."

Australia Under 'Malicious' Cyberattacks From State Actor
2020-06-19 03:24

Australia's prime minister said Friday his country was under a broad cyberattack from a "State-based actor" targeting government, public services and businesses, with suspicions falling on China. Australia enraged China by calling for an investigation into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic and by accusing China of fuelling a virus "Infodemic" and engaging in economic "Coercion".