Enhancing Cybersecurity Efforts in Australia Due to Surge in Foreign Cyber Attacks
In a move aimed at bolstering its cybersecurity and intelligence capabilities, the Australian government has announced a A$1.35 billion investment over a decade. This investment comes amidst escalating tensions and suspicions of foreign meddling and espionage, including from China.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison stated that safeguarding the nation's economy, national security, and sovereignty is the federal government's top priority. He emphasized that malicious cyber activity undermines these priorities and that the investment will help ensure Australia has the tools and capabilities to fight back and keep its citizens safe.
The bilateral relationship between Australia and China has deteriorated due to issues such as a proposal for a 'transparent' investigation into the origin of the novel coronavirus and the passage of laws against foreign interference and espionage. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian accused Australia of inciting defections in China, spying on its students, and encouraging theories about Chinese espionage.
However, Lijian claimed that the charges of espionage and interference against China were not based on 'solid evidence', but emphasized that there is 'irrefutable evidence' of Australian spying activities in China. Zhao did not provide further details about the 'irrefutable evidence'.
The Australian government suspects China and Russia of being involved in cybersecurity threats against Australia, motivated by strategic geopolitical interests and attempts to influence or disrupt Australian digital infrastructure. China is suspected due to its history of state-sponsored cyber espionage and efforts to censor or control information, while Russia is suspected because of its pattern of aggressive cyber operations targeting Western countries, including Australia, to advance its geopolitical aims. These suspicions are based on intelligence assessments and past cyberattack trends involving both nations.
The Australian government has uncovered Chinese donations to political parties, leading to the passage of laws against foreign interference and espionage. In addition, the Australian authorities raided the house and office of a New South Wales lawmaker for his alleged links with the Chinese government.
The Australian government has also blocked Chinese companies, Huawei and ZTE, from providing equipment for the country's 5G network and from purchasing strategic land, citing security reasons.
On June 19, Morrison announced that Australia had suffered a large-scale cyber attack, allegedly backed by a foreign country. The cyber attack was described by Morrison as sophisticated due to the scale and nature of the targeting and the tradecraft used.
The tensions between Australia and China have been further exacerbated by the issue of a 'transparent' investigation into the origin of the novel coronavirus. The Australian government has called for an independent investigation into the virus's origin, while China has accused Australia of politicising the issue.
The cyber attack on Australia follows a series of similar attacks on the Australian parliament in February 2019, state agencies, and universities. The Prime Minister has urged all Australians to be vigilant and to report any suspicious activity to the authorities.
In conclusion, the Australian government's investment in cybersecurity and intelligence capabilities is a response to the escalating tensions and suspicions of foreign meddling and espionage. The tensions between Australia and China, in particular, have reached a boiling point, with both countries accusing each other of various wrongdoings. The situation remains fluid and it will be interesting to see how it develops in the coming months.
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