At a glance
- Concern on Cyber Resilience: Despite efforts, Australia grapples with national cyber resilience challenges, underscored by the article "Why Australia is losing the battle for cyber resilience."
- Cyber Milestones of September: Embracing 87 new 'critical infrastructure assets', addressing third-party vulnerabilities in finance, and AFP's success in recovering $45 million from cybercrime.
- September's Cyber Summits: Highlighted by the AFR Cyber Summit and the "Critical Insights" event, both emphasising the nation's drive towards cyber resilience.
Navigating Australia's Cyber Frontiers: September 2023 in Review
In today's fast-paced digital age, a month feels as eventful as a year. September 2023 was brimming with cyber events. Guided by the insightful direction of Thomas Ricardo and enriched by the sharp insights of our special guest, Tim Dole from Zirilio—a frontline expert in analysing cyber integrity matters and volatility—our editorial team at the Cyber News Centre has covered it all.
Cyber Milestones: Events and Dialogues
September was a hive of activity with the AFR Cyber Summit held in Sydney Sofitel Wentworth and the “Critical Insights” event at The Thomson Geer Office in Martin Place. Organised with CNC's support, along with contributions from Zirilio and Ausbiz, these forums surged with dialogues, with business leaders and investors striving for clarity. Both events captured the essence of a nation aiming for cyber resilience, bridging the gap between vision and reality.
Governmental Insights and Initiatives
Clare O’Neil MP, Minister for Home Affairs and Cyber Security, highlighted significant policy strides taken by the Federal Government. Her unveiling of six forthcoming “cyber-shields”, foundational to the proposed Cyber Security Strategy, signifies the nation's cyber-forward trajectory. Additionally, her discourse on cybersecurity standards for connected devices reiterated the need for comprehensive protective measures.
Meanwhile, Darren Goldie AM CSC, National Cyber Security Coordinator, threw light on the country's strategic response to major cyber threats, emphasising coordinated efforts.
Spotlight: Critical Insights Event
The "Critical Insights" gathering was not just a convention of experts but a fusion of thought leadership. Paired with the Cyber Summit's revelations, these platforms raised an introspective query: Is Australia's governmental cyber strategy harmonising with industry trends and legislative narratives?
It’s clear that there's a pressing need for private-sector cyber experts to champion broader educational outreach, especially at the executive level, promoting proactive crisis management measures.
Why Australia is losing the battle for cyber resilience
AFR – 19 September 2023
This article focuses on a key theme of the Cyber Summit, cyber resilience, and analyses challenges in achieving national cyber resilience. It shares the views of Clare O’Neil MP, Minister for Home Affairs and Cyber Security, and of industry experts, that, while Australia cannot prevent all attacks, businesses and government agencies could do more to be prepared and recover from attacks quickly. The article also notes that the confusion, uncertainty and conflicting expectations arising out of divergent regulatory forces undermine national resilience.
Australia's Cyber Landmarks for September 2023
Embracing Infrastructure Fortification: Minister Clare O’Neil's announcement of an additional 87 'critical infrastructure assets' is a testimony to Australia's commitment to shield pivotal sectors from looming threats.
Addressing External Threats: APRA's spotlight on third-party cyber vulnerabilities, especially within the financial realm, underscores the intricate weave of today's cyber challenges. Their call for annual security reviews signifies a shift from reactive to proactive cyber strategies.
AFP's Triumph Against Cybercrime: Recovering nearly $45 million from cyber culprits, the AFP's commendable feat instills confidence in businesses combating digital adversaries.
Prioritizing Cyber Education: Accenture ANZ's Jacqui Kernot advocates for an educational approach to cybersecurity. In a rapidly evolving cyber landscape, fostering a culture of learning is indispensable.
Envisioning a Digital Identity: The introduction of the The Digital Identity Bill 2023 aims to usher Australia into an era of simplified digital access, emphasizing cybersecurity. The government invites opinions on the draft bill, including insights on the Digital Identity Rules and Accreditation. The public can voice their feedback until 10 October 2023. Once enacted, this legislation will create a unified Digital ID system for both private and public sectors, emphasizing stringent privacy measures. The ACCC will oversee its initial regulation. This feedback-driven approach will bolster the Digital ID's role as the government's chief identity system, elevating the security and convenience of Australia's online interactions. See explanatory video
Addressing Cyber Espionage: Michael Mestrovich sheds light on the pervasive nature of cyber espionage, highlighting China as a significant concern due to Australia's valuable mineral resources. He references the strategic importance of minerals, drawing a parallel with the CIA's historical endeavors to secure essential minerals from adversaries. He recounts how the US had to covertly source titanium from Russia during the Cold War - a vital component for the SR-71 reconnaissance aircraft designed to surveil Russia. Mestrovich explained, “To craft the SR-71 for surveillance on the Russians, the US had to navigate the challenge of Russia's titanium monopoly by setting up a facade of a mining export company. This allowed them to discreetly transport the titanium to the US."
Dymocks links data breach to ‘external data partner: Cyber News Centre News, 18 September 2023 - The article indicates that Dymocks has pinpointed an 'external data partner' as the root cause of its data breach, which impacted 1.24 million customer records. Dymocks has enlisted the help of independent forensic professionals and remains in collaboration with the relevant authorities.
The piece further underscores that robust internal security systems can still be vulnerable due to third-party data partner frailties. Such breaches in 2023 spotlight the evident disconnect in board-level understanding of cybersecurity. In the face of recurrent cyber events, numerous firms are yet to adopt forward-thinking cybersecurity measures, risking both customer confidence and their brand's standing.
Month in Review
In September 2023, Australia's cyber landscape saw notable events and challenges. Key highlights include the country's major cyber summits and in-depth discussions. While the government, led by Clare O’Neil MP, introduced significant cyber security measures like the "cyber-shields", there remains a pressing need to enhance national cyber resilience. With risks like third-party vulnerabilities in finance and significant cybercrime recoveries by the AFP, it's evident that Australia is advancing. However, to counter ever-evolving digital threats, there's a clear call for a more cohesive and comprehensive strategy.
