Defence Minister Richard Marles says there’s been more interest from state actors in Australia’s critical infrastructure as the government works to strengthen its cybersecurity.
His comments come after the Australian Signals Directorate released its annual Cyber Threat Report, which found it received 94,000 reports of cybercrime over the past year, 23 per cent more than the year before.
“Across the board in terms of defending our country with … defences but also making sure that we are a more resilient community that our cyber public health is in good shape, this becomes a pressing priority,” Marles said on ABC News Breakfast.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
He was asked whether the government believed that China was one of the main culprits, which was outlined in the report.
“There are a number of state actors out there which have also at times engaged in activity,” Marles told the program.
“So what we’re making sure that we do is that we are as robust as we can be in terms of the defence of our own critical infrastructure.”
He said the Albanese government was investing $10 billion over 10 years in the Australian Signals Directorate, which would effectively double its size.
“It is a huge uplift in our cyber capability and our cyber defence.”
Marles said the relationship with China was complex, and the government had always made that point.
“It’s right to be investing in that relationship. But China has been a source of security, anxiety, for our country, and we prepare for that as well.”
With AAP