Cyber Security
In the 200708 Budget, the Australian Government allocated $8.9 million over four years to implement a range of initiatives designed to enhance the protection of home users and small business from electronic attacks and fraud.
National Cyber Security Awareness Week
National Cyber Security Awareness Week is held each year in partnership with industry, community organisations and all levels of government. The Awareness Week aims to educate home and small business users on the simple steps they can take to protect their personal and financial information online.
This year, Awareness Week will be held from 20 to 24 May, 2013. With nearly 1,400 partners coming together for Awareness Week, the message of cyber security will be heard around Australia through a range of events, including seminars, webinars, media, social media, and other distribution channels.
If your organisation would like to be a partner for the 2013 Awareness Week, please visit the Awareness Week section of the Stay Smart Online Website.
Cyber Security website
The government's Cyber Security website, Stay Smart Online, provides information for Australian internet users on cyber security issues and the simple measures they can take to help protect themselves online.
The website offers information on a range of topics including securing your computer, tips on how to safely bank and shop online and information for small businesses. There are also links to resources for parents and teachers to help them protect their children online.
Stay Smart Online Alert Service
The Stay Smart Online Alert Service is a free service available from the Stay Smart Online website. It provides easy to understand information about the latest cyber security threats and vulnerabilities and possible solutions to help manage these risks. Users can receive alerts via email, online or by RSS feed.
Budd:e cyber security and safety education modules
The Budd:e cyber security and safety education package is a key component of the Australian Government's commitment to raising awareness among school aged children.
Budd:e comprises modules for both primary and secondary school students. These modules are interactive and self learning and are designed to help students adopt safe and secure online practices and behaviours in a fun way. Cyber security topics covered in the modules include malicious software, securing personal information online and social networking. The package includes comprehensive resources for teachers.
Budd:e won the 2010 Australian Interactive Media Industry Association (AIMIA) award for best interactive media and digital content designed for children.
Budd:e is available free to all Australian schools through the Stay Smart Online website or via a CD ROM that can be ordered online. It is also available on Scootle, the Learning Federation's educational resources portal.
Internet service providers voluntary code of practice (icode)
The department worked with the Internet Industry Association to develop an internet service provider (ISP) voluntary cyber security code of practice. The code, known as the icode, provides a consistent approach for Australian ISPs to help inform, educate and protect their clients in relation to cyber security issues, and address the problem of compromised computers on their networks.
The icode was implemented on 1 December 2010. Currently 34 ISPs, representing up to 90 per cent of the Australian home internet market, have signed up to the icode. The department is leading a review of the icode to assess its effectiveness. Outcomes from the review are due for release shortly.
Australian Internet Security Initiative
The Australian Internet Security Initiative identifies compromised computers and supports internet service providers to help their customers restore their computer security. This initiative is delivered by the Australian Communications and Media Authority.
Government Response to the House of Representatives Parliamentary Committee Report on Cyber Crime
On 25 November 2010, the Attorney-General and the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy tabled the Australian Government's response to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Communications Report Hackers, Fraudsters and Botnets: Tackling the Problem of Cyber Crime.
