After the Government’s statement today of malicious state-backed cyber activity directed at Australia, some have blamed China. However why and how can we make certain?
Key points:
- Federal government sources have told the ABC that China is likely behind the continual cyber attack
- One specialist says there has been increased espionage activity aiming to draw out product associated to COVID-19
- Australian organisations are encouraged to spot or update their software, and to use two-factor authentication
The online targeting of government firms, infrastructure and service remains in many methods the state of play in 2020, and has apparently increased throughout the COVID-19 break out.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said his statement today aimed to ” just raise awareness” of such threats.
” They’re not new threats however they are specific risks and … to recommend you how Australians, and especially these organisations, can act to secure themselves,” he said.
Mr Morrison especially motivated organisations in health, vital facilities and vital services to improve their online defences.
The Australian Cyber Security Centre’s (ACSC) advisory about the attack explained so-called copy-paste compromises that could be dealt with by running software application updates and other normal security measures.
” We’ve got to acknowledge what this isn’t: this is not the [Prime Minister] stating cyber war on China, this is not the [Prime Minister] revealing Australia is suddenly under major cyber attack,” stated Rory Medcalf, head of the National Security College at the Australian National University.
Instead, in his view, it’s “an extreme medical examination”.
” He’s essentially saying to all Australians, you’ve got to assist yourselves. You have actually got to help us safeguard you.”