With Western Australia seeing a significant increase in cyber crime in recent years, the WA Government is putting out an emergency management framework for cyber security incidents which will boost its ability to respond to significant attacks on digital systems and data.
The WA’s Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC) will be consulting with stakeholders, private enterprises and the local government sector in the coming months to draft a State Hazard Plan for Cyber Security.
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“A number of recent malicious and sophisticated cyber incidents are a reminder that cyber security has never been more critical to safeguard Western Australians,” Minister for Emergency Services and Innovation and the Digital Economy Stephen Dawson said.
“By developing a proposal for an overarching emergency response, the State Government is ensuring that cyber security is a collective responsibility and we are prepared to mitigate the impact of any large-scale attacks.”
The State Hazard Plan for Cyber Security is said to build on the government’s existing cyber security capabilities to detect and respond to cyber risks, such as the State Cyber Security Operations Centre.
The DPC will also investigate the viability of introducing cyber security as a hazard in the Emergency Management arrangements for Western Australia.
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The State Emergency Management Plan provides a management framework for each hazard, stipulating clear roles and responsibilities that ensure a rapid and effective response to maintain public safety.
WA currently has 28 designated natural and man-made hazards including bushfires, floods, terrorist acts, missing persons, heatwaves and rail crashes.
“The State Government looks forward to collaborating with the public and private sector to ensure we stay resilient against cyber crime,” Minister Dawson said.
The WA Government’s decision to establish an emergency management framework for cyber security incidents follows last year’s devastating cyber attacks on Optus and Medibank.
Source: Government of Western Australia media release. Content has been edited for style and length.