Government's Part in Fighting Cyber Threats
In the face of escalating cyber threats, governments worldwide are taking proactive measures to protect their citizens and businesses. This article explores how governments, such as the Australian and US governments, are working to bolster cybersecurity defenses.
The Australian government has established the Cyber Security Cooperative Research Centre (CSCRC), a collaborative effort between businesses, academia, and government to improve cybersecurity in the country. Additionally, the federal government has earmarked AUD$9.9 billion for cybersecurity and intelligence services. However, the specific details on how this significant budget is being utilised remain undisclosed [1][2][3][4][5].
General knowledge suggests that such a budget would typically be allocated towards enhancing the capabilities of agencies like the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC), supporting intelligence operations, developing advanced technologies, collaborating with international partners, conducting public awareness campaigns, and providing training programs.
Similarly, the US government has taken steps to combat cybercrime. They have implemented regulations like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2014. The US government also provides the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) with resources and services to help protect critical infrastructure.
Having a national recovery plan is essential for organizations to quickly and efficiently recover from a cyberattack. Strict penalties should be in place to deter cybercriminals and make it easier to prosecute them. To this end, the Australian government has passed the Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018, which strengthens cybersecurity laws and creates new offenses.
Governments must also raise public awareness about cybersecurity threats and provide educational resources to help individuals and organizations protect themselves. The costs of cybercrime are estimated to exceed USD$10.5 trillion by 2025 [6].
Moreover, governments can work with businesses to create industry-specific regulations to ensure companies take necessary steps to protect themselves from cyberattacks. They can also provide training on cybersecurity best practices for employees.
In conclusion, governments play a crucial role in combating cybercrime by providing resources, enforcing regulations, and raising public awareness. By working together, governments and organizations can create a more secure digital future for all.
References:
[1] Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) Annual Report 2020-2021. (n.d.). Retrieved March 14, 2023, from https://www.cyber.gov.au/acsc/view-all-content/annual-reports
[2] CSCRC Annual Report 2020-2021. (n.d.). Retrieved March 14, 2023, from https://www.cscrc.org.au/about-us/annual-report/
[3] CISA Annual Report 2020. (n.d.). Retrieved March 14, 2023, from https://www.cisa.gov/annual-report
[4] Australian Government Department of Home Affairs. (n.d.). Retrieved March 14, 2023, from https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/
[5] US Department of Homeland Security. (n.d.). Retrieved March 14, 2023, from https://www.dhs.gov/
[6] Cybersecurity Ventures. (2020). The Cost of Cybercrime to the World Economy Will Reach $10.5 Trillion Annually by 2025. Retrieved March 14, 2023, from https://cybersecurityventures.com/cybersecurity-industry-reports/cost-of-cybercrime-worldwide-2015-2021/
- The Australian government has established the Cyber Security Cooperative Research Centre (CSCRC) to improve cybersecurity, which includes collaboration with businesses, academia, and government.
- Incident response and recovery planning are essential for organizations to protect themselves from cyberattacks, and strict penalties should be in place to deter cybercriminals.
- Governments can work with businesses to develop industry-specific regulations to ensure companies take necessary steps to protect themselves from phishing, social engineering, and network security threats.
- Enhancing network security and technology, as well as conducting risk assessments, are typical uses of a large budget allocation for cybersecurity and intelligence services.
- Raising public awareness about cybersecurity threats and providing educational resources is key to preventing the growing costs of cybercrime, which are estimated to exceed USD$10.5 trillion by 2025.
