Joint media release:

• Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
• Department of Home Affairs
• Australian Signals Directorate
• Australian Cyber Security Centre

The Australian Government expresses its concern over reports of global malicious cyber intrusions, as detailed in today’s unsealing of indictments by the US Department of Justice.

The indictments note that these actors compromised networks across the world for commercial and personal gain. The actors targeted a range of industries, including manufacturing, medical device engineering, software, solar energy, pharmaceuticals, and defence.

Of particular concern, these individuals also reportedly targeted COVID-19 research as well as political dissidents, religious minorities and human rights advocates.

Australia reiterates our call to all countries to refrain from behaviour which violates their international commitments. We welcome actions designed to hold malicious cyber actors to account.

In September 2019, Australia, the US and The Netherlands launched the Joint Statement on Advancing Responsible State Behaviour in Cyberspace, which makes clear the importance of holding to account those countries that engage in malicious cyber activity. To date, 28 countries have signed up to this Statement.

The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) is working closely with organisations across Australia to help build their resilience to cyber compromises and is engaging with victims of malicious cyber incidents to offer cyber security advice and assistance.

The Australian Government has announced it is investing $1.35 billion to further enhance Australia’s cyber security capabilities and that the 2020 Cyber Security Strategy will be delivered in coming months.

We encourage all Australian citizens and organisations to remain vigilant about cyber security threats. The ACSC’s cyber security advice is available at cyber.gov.au.