Australia strengthens the defensive and offensive measures to cyber-security

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced the start of the new Cyber ​​Security Strategy with a budget of 230 million Australian dollars, about 160 million, to strengthen the defense technological measures after admitting that some government agencies have been victims past acts of cybercrime.

As reports the site The Register, in addition to the improvement in the defense Turnbull also revealed that Australia holds significant offensive capabilities in terms of cyber attacks, hoping in this way to also raise the level of deterrence: "The recognition of this offensive capability is an addition to our credibility in promoting standards of good behavior on the international stage and, of greater importance, familiarity with offensive measures also improves our defense capabilities, "said Turnbull.

The Prime Minister has avoided detailing further offensive capabilities, merely explaining that "the use of these capabilities is subject to a strict legal oversight and is consistent with our international order based on rules and support with our subject duties to international law. "

The plan will materialize over the next four years and the government will face a charge of $ 39 million to finance the relocation of the Australian Cyber ​​Security Centre to a more accesible destination, and additional 47 million dollars for the construction of joint centers public / private sharing of knowledge, skills and techniques on cyber threats in major cities across the country to strengthen the exchange of information.

Investment in cyber security activities is intended to anticipate a possible escalation of cyber attacks before at a rather rapid growth in the Australian economy based on the network, currently at a pace nearly double compared to the rest of the global economy. Cybercrime has cost an estimated $ 1 billion a year to Australia, even though the real impact on the national economy could be even 17 billion dollars a year.