Other Sources of Information

Attorney-General’s Department

CERT Australia is located within the Australian Government Attorney-General’s Department. The Department serves the people of Australia by providing essential expert support to the Government in the maintenance and improvement of Australia's system of law and justice and its national security and emergency management systems.

The Department is the central policy and coordinating element of the Attorney-General's portfolio, including for cyber security, for which the Attorney-General and Minister for Home Affairs are responsible.

Further information can be found at the Department's website: www.ag.gov.au/

The Attorney-General’s website can be found at: www.attorneygeneral.gov.au/

The Minister for Home Affairs website can be found at: www.ministerhomeaffairs.gov.au/

Defence Signals Directorate (DSD)

DSD's purpose is to support Australian Government decision-makers and provide the Australian Defence Force (ADF) with high-quality foreign signals intelligence products and services. DSD makes Government and Defence policy more certain and more effective by providing the policy departments and assessment agencies with important information that is not available from open sources. DSD also directly contributes to the military effectiveness of the ADF, and provides a range of information security services to ensure that their sensitive electronic information systems are not susceptible to unauthorised access, compromise or disruption.

DSD is responsible for providing information security advice and assistance to government agencies. It also produces the Australian Government Information Security Manual to assist Government agencies with expected baseline security controls and processes.

DSD is the point of contact for government agencies in reporting cyber security incidents.

Further information can be found at the DSD website: www.dsd.gov.au/

Cyber Security Strategy

The Australian Government’s cyber security policy is contained in its Cyber Security Strategy.

The Strategy was launched on 23 November 2009 and articulates the overall aim and objectives of the Australian Government’s cyber security policy and sets out the strategic priorities that the Australian Government will pursue to achieve these objectives. The Strategy also describes the key actions and measures that will be undertaken through a comprehensive body of work across the Australian Government to achieve these strategic priorities.

Copies of the Cyber Security Strategy are available for download on the Attorney-General's Department website.

Stay Smart Online

Stay Smart Online is an Australian Government initiative that outlines the simple steps Australian online users can take to secure themselves online. This includes information and advice on how to secure your computer and your transactions online.

The website contains a free alert service that provides easy to understand information on the latest cyber-security threats and vulnerabilities, a free interactive education resource for primary and secondary school students, videos with useful tips on protecting your computer, a self assessment tool for small businesses, and information for parents.

CERT Australia encourages both individuals and small businesses to take advantage of the free information available from the Stay Smart Online website. This includes an outline of the steps you can take to make your computers more secure.

Further information can be found at the Stay Smart Online website: www.staysmartonline.gov.au/

Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA)

ACMA is responsible for the regulation of:

ACMA works closely with relevant industries to achieve active self-regulation, while ensuring industry compliance with licence conditions, codes and standards. ACMA monitors the effect of regulations to ensure they are responsive to the community's needs.

ACMA also manages the Cybersmart initiative as part of the Australian Government’s commitment to promoting online safety for children and young people. It also manages the Australian Internet Security Initiative (AISI) to help address the issue of compromised computers in Australia (sometimes referred to as 'zombies', 'bots', or 'drones').

Further information can be found at the ACMA website: www.acma.gov.au/

Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy (DBCDE)

DBCDE aims to develop a vibrant, sustainable and internationally competitive
broadband, broadcasting and communications sector, that promotes the digital economy for the benefit of all Australians. The Department manages the Stay Smart Online website, the NetAlert website and the implementation of the National Broadband Network.

Further information can be found at the DBCDE website: www.dbcde.gov.au/

NetAlert

The NetAlert website provides information about internet content filters for PCs and is managed by the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy (DBCDE).

Further information can be found at the NetAlert website: www.netalert.gov.au/

SCAMwatch

SCAMwatch is a website managed by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). It provides information to consumers and small businesses about how to recognise, avoid and report scams.

If you believe you have been the victim of a scam, you should consult SCAMwatch for advice and to report the incident.

Further information can be found at the SCAMwatch website: www.scamwatch.gov.au/

ThinkUKnow program

ThinkUKnow is an Internet safety program delivering interactive training to parents, carers and teachers through primary and secondary schools across Australia using a network of accredited trainers.

Created by the UK Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre, ThinkUKnow Australia has been developed by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Microsoft Australia.

Further information can be found at the ThinkUKnow website: www.thinkuknow.org.au