Spooks, scholars and small business asked to contribute to e-security review

Stephen Withers
Monday, 07 July 2008 12:56

Your IT - Home IT

The Australian government is  soliciting input from business, education, and small business and home users for a major review of its e-security policy. The Attorney-General's department is taking charge, while various agencies (including ASIO, Defence Signals Directorate and the Department of  Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy) are involved in the process.

The rise of cybercrime and the proposed National Broadband Network will be major focuses of the review.

While the public has been invited to chip in with their (hopefully informed) thoughts on the subject, the E-Security Review 2008 has also been charged with examining current practices, notably those implemented under the E-Security National Agenda.

Recommendations arising from Australia's participation in Exercise Cyber Storm II (a large scale cyber exercise sponsored by the US Department of Homeland Security with the participation of Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom) will also be incorporated into the review.

"New and networked systems increasingly underpin our business and social interactions, but they also provide fertile ground for exploitation by cyber criminals," said Attorney-General Robert McClelland.

“The e-security review is an opportunity to look at what help the Government can provide to develop a more secure and trusted electronic operating environment for both the public and private sectors. The review will also consider whether Commonwealth programs can be better focused to deal with the ever increasing range of online threats," he added.

What's driving the timing of the review? Find out on page 2.