The Manager
E-Security Section
Broadband Division
GPO Box 2154
Canberra ACT 2601

Tel: 02 6271 1322
Fax: 02 6271 1098

E-security review

A review is currently being conducted into the Australian Government's e-security policy, programs and capabilities.

It will help develop a new Australian Government E-Security Framework to create a secure and trusted electronic environment for both public and private sectors.

The Attorney-General's Department is leading the review, assisted by other agencies including the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy.

Further information about the review can be found at www.ag.gov.au/esecurityreview

National E-security Awareness Week 6-13 June 2008

National E-security Awareness Week is being held from 6-13 June and aims to help Australians understand e-security risks, and educate home and small business users about the simple steps they can take to protect themselves, their families and their businesses online.

Government agencies, industry and community organisations are holding a range of activities in the support of National E-security Awareness Week.

These include online forums, workshops in regional Australia, information sessions in capital cities, web support and events. The full event schedule can be found at Stay Smart Online. People can also visit the website at any time to access simple, step-by-step information about e-security.

We acknowledge the support of our partners for the Week.

StaySmartOnline

www.staysmartonline.gov.au - The ‘staysmartonline’ website provides advice to Australian on-line users on e-security issues. It focuses on three main areas:

The ‘staysmartonline’ website focuses on three main areas:

• 'Securing Your Computer'
• 'Small Business Safe online';
• 'Smart Transacting Online'; and
• 'Kids Safe Online'

The website offers practical advice and tips on e-security for home users, small businesses and families. Take a look at the site, try the quizzes, sign up for the free update service and get to know the practical steps you can take to stay smart online.

E-Security National Agenda (ESNA)

• ESNA Public Policy Statement (File size: 148Kb)

The E-security National Agenda (ESNA) was established in 2001 to create a secure and trusted electronic operating environment for both the public and private sectors.

The ESNA was reviewed in 2006.

The review found that due to the interconnected nature of the online environment, e-security threats to different segments of the Australian economy cannot be addressed in isolation. Three priorities were adopted to provide an integrated approach to Australia’s e-security:

1. Reducing the E-security risk to Australian Government information and communications systems
2. Reducing the E-security risk to Australia’s national critical infrastructure
3. Enhancing the protection of home users and SMEs from electronic attacks and fraud

Improving online security for home users and small businesses

In the 2007–08 Budget, a $13.6 million package of initiatives over four years was announced to help protect home users and small to medium enterprises (SMEs) from online attacks and fraud. These initiatives focus on raising the level of e-security awareness of home users and SMEs with a view to helping them to improve the security of their online behaviour and their computer defences. This funding forms part of a $73.6 million whole-of-Government package that will assist in strengthening the electronic operating environment for business, home users and government agencies.

Initiatives under the $13.6 million package include:

1. Annual E-Security Awareness Week

An annual National E-security Awareness Week to be held in collaboration with industry and community organisations to highlight the importance of improving online security to Australian home users and SMEs;

2. Schools Education Module

An education module focused on raising the e-security awareness of young Australians to be delivered to Australian schools;

3. Enhancement of the Government’s e-security website

www.staysmartonline.gov.au provides a central point of practical, step by step information for Australian Internet users on how to secure their computers and adopt smart online practices.

The Department has recently added a new small business section to the website. This forms part of an overall development strategy to continually enhance Stay Smart Online over the next four years.

4. National Alert Service

A free National Alert Service that will be delivered through www.staysmartonline.gov.au to provide important information on the latest e-security threats and vulnerabilities in plain English; and

5. Australian Internet Security Initiative

An expansion of the Australian Internet Security Initiative (AISI) which identifies compromised home and SME computers and supports internet service providers to help their customers restore their computer security. This initiative is being delivered by the Australian Communications and Media Authority— www.acma.gov.au/spam

Spyware

Spyware is software that is installed on a computing device and takes information from it without the consent or knowledge of the user and gives that information to a third party.

Information on how to protect yourself against spyware can be found at www.staysmartonline.gov.au

More information on spyware can be found at:
www.dbcde.gov.au/communications_for_consumers/security/spyware

• Document ID: 16960 |
• Last modified: 3 July 2008, 1:05pm