Industry engagement

A key function of CERT Australia is to develop close working relationships with critical infrastructure organisations and businesses that operate systems that are important to Australia’s national interest. In this way, CERT Australia is able to help ensure that important services that all Australians rely on in their daily lives are secure and resilient.

Through these engagements, CERT Australia provides industry targeted briefings to owners and operators of critical infrastructure and other systems of national interest. CERT Australia also issues advisories and alerts on specific, sophisticated and targeted electronic attacks and system software and hardware vulnerabilities to these organisations. This assists them in protecting their information and communication technology networks and systems.

In addition, CERT Australia has established three sector-specific information exchanges with the banking and finance, control systems and telecommunications sectors. These information exchanges enable government and business to share sensitive cyber-security technical information and experiences in a highly trusted environment. This enhances the ability of both government and business to understand Australia’s cyber-security threat environment.

CERT Australia continues to build strong relationships with Australian internet service providers (ISP), major corporations, anti-virus researchers and information and communications technology security vendors. This assists CERT Australia to provide the Australian community with relevant and timely information on cyber security issues.

We also work closely with Australian and overseas government agencies to facilitate access to unique information and communication technology security information.

Cyber security exercises

CERT Australia coordinated Australia’s involvement in Cyber Storm III - a major international cyber security exercise that simulated cyber attacks targeting critical infrastructure and other nationally important systems and services.

Cyber Storm III was conducted in conjunction with the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and New Zealand. It involved over 50 Australian organisations, including the communications, food, finance, transport, utilities and government sectors.

The exercise report (below) was developed by a specialist, independent consultant and captures the high level findings of the exercise. The participants, both industry and government, will consider the report findings and will implement changes within their environments as appropriate.

The Cyber White Paper

As a strategic blueprint, the White Paper will place the government’s existing initiatives and strategies within the context of a holistic and integrated framework and will highlight the central importance of partnerships with industry and community groups.

By aligning and streamlining the government’s broad ranging cyber policy efforts, the White Paper will maximise opportunities to find efficiencies and synergies and will highlight the areas where greater effort is required.

The White Paper will emphasise the shared responsibility of government, business, not for profits (NFPs), and individuals, in achieving a joint vision for Australia’s digital future.

Connecting with Confidence - Optimising Australia's Digital Future (Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet website)

Registration now open – the Critical Infrastructure Resilience Conference 2012

Critical Infrastructure Resilience: Expect the unexpected

The Attorney-General’s Department will host the second Critical Infrastructure Resilience (CIR) Conference from 15-16 March 2012 in Sydney.

The Conference is an initiative under the Australian Government’s CIR Strategy, helping to develop an effective business-government partnership with CI owners and operators.

The registration form is available at www.tisn.gov.au