Australia facing cyber attacks by sophisticated state-based cyber actor, implementing Cyber Vision 2020, cyber security strategy, cyber science and technology plan

The exponential growth of information and communications technology (ICT) technology that includes Internet, telecommunications networks, computer systems, and embedded processors and controllers, has led to creation of Cyberspace, a global domain within ICT. The economic, social and strategic influence is exerted within, and through cyberspace domain, much like the land, air and maritime domains. In addition to great opportunities, cyberspace also presents significant challenges. According to leading cybersecurity market intelligence agency, Cybersecurity Ventures, cybercrime will continue to rise and cost businesses globally more than $6 trillion annually by 2021.

Cyber technology has become an embedded feature of modern military systems. Defence and other critical national systems are rapidly evolving to become software defined (i.e. cyber-physical) systems and are also increasingly relying on networks for their operation. There is also a developing relationship between cyber and the military capability of electronic warfare driven by the convergence of technologies, techniques and concepts and in the future we can expect to see integration of these capabilities into one continuum.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said in June 2020 that a “sophisticated state-based cyber actor” has launched a “malicious” attack targeting its institutions, including health, critical infrastructure and essential services holding sensitive economic and personal data.“We know it is a sophisticated, state-based cyber actor because of the scale and nature of the targeting, and the tradecraft used,” Mr Morrison said. The cyberattacks come amidst Australia’s rising rift with China over a number of issues including its recent demand for an investigation into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic.  “Of particular concern are reports that malicious cyber actors are seeking to damage or impair the operation of hospitals, medical services and facilities, and crisis response organisations outside of Australia,” it said.

The Australian Government is developing our nation’s next Cyber Security Strategy as part of its commitment to protecting Australians from cyber threats. The new strategy will be a successor to Australia’s landmark 2016 Cyber Security Strategy, which set out the Government’s 4 year plan to advance and protect our interests online backed by a $230 million investment. The 2020 Cyber Security Strategy will build on this investment to position Australia to meet the rapidly evolving cyber threat environment.

Defence cyber security has also been quickly elevated to an even greater priority as geopolitical tensions rise between China and Australia in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Richard Price, chief executive of South Australian defence agency Defence SA, says enhancing cyber security is crucial across all aspects of the defence industry and the spillover business sector as well. “Mitigating and managing the risk of cyber attack by criminals is an essential activity for everybody these days,” Price says. “For businesses in critical infrastructure and critical supply chains, of which defence is one obvious example, the threats are much more sophisticated, persistent and patient,” he says. He says there needs to be a culture of embedding the ”right” behaviours in all staff and suppliers.