Australia’s cyber security experts are expecting the number of cyber attacks targeting sensitive data to double in the coming years as the nation deals with the fallout of a series of major hacks, with a cyber security report making other key warnings. 

In a recently released national cyber security plan, it was found that the country will experience a shortage of 3000 highly skilled cyber security workers by 2026. 

The plan also revealed that the expected number of attacks in Australia will double within the next five years. 

Minister for Cyber Security Clare O’Neil said the AFP and Australian Signals Directorate will be establishing a new 100-strong, standing cybercrime operation that will target hackers. 

She states that the operation would send a strong message to cyber criminals considering launching an attack on critical infrastructure. 

“There is a cost to coming after us here in Australia so this is part of our country punching back,” Minister O’Neil said. 

“If you come and try to hurt our citizens, then we are going to come after you.” 

The minister also said that Australia’s cyber security strategy lacked ambition, and she believed the nation could become the safest country in the world through big changes. 

Australian agencies and companies are managing the backlash from the two massive Optus and Medibank data breaches as of the moment, with some scrambling to further secure their data. 

Minister O’Neil has also flagged a proposed ban on companies paying ransom demands to cyber criminals should they be hacked. 

But opposition spokesman Dan Tehan said there may be rare cases where payment after cyber attacks should be made in exceptional circumstances. 

The nation’s largest health insurer could face legal action after the personal details of millions of its customers, including information about alcohol issues and abortion procedures, were posted on the dark web. 

Law firm Maurice Blackburn confirmed it was reviewing whether customers affected by the hack could be entitled to compensation. 

The AFP confirmed that Russian cyber criminals were behind the Medibank attack. 

With AAP

Eliza Sayon

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Eliza is a content producer and editor at Public Spectrum. She is an experienced writer on topics related to the government and to the public, as well as stories that uplift and improve the community.

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