In its quest for global leadership in technology and innovation, the Australian government is also focused on strengthening its critical infrastructure and systems. Australia faces a higher-than-average rate of various cyber threats, including data breaches, compliance violations, insider attacks, and business email compromises. Notably, 56% of Australian IT teams experience nation-state attacks, exceeding the global average of 39%. 

Given this challenging environment, maintaining the digital resilience of Australia’s critical infrastructure is essential. Integrating observability into digital transformation strategies is not just a technological upgrade but a crucial element for national security and operational excellence. Observability goes beyond traditional monitoring by providing a comprehensive view of a system’s internal state, which is vital for the effective operation of critical infrastructure.

Observability boosts security

Observability marks a significant advancement in systems monitoring and management, offering a more comprehensive view of an infrastructure’s internal state than traditional methods. Unlike conventional monitoring, which focuses mainly on performance metrics, observability combines logs, metrics, and traces to provide a thorough understanding of system operations. 

PwC notes, “observability enables organisations to gain insights into their systems’ behaviour, facilitating proactive issue resolution and improved operational performance”. As Australian IT teams contend with increasing cyber threats, observability becomes crucial. The Australian government’s strategy includes boosting observability to combat the high frequency of cyberattacks. For instance, 56% of local IT teams face nation-state attacks, surpassing the global average of 39%. 

Observability tools help reduce Mean Time to Detect (MTTD) from months, as reported by 50% of Australian IT teams, to much shorter periods. This improvement enhances response times and system security. Embracing observability is not merely a technological upgrade but a strategic initiative that significantly boosts an organisation’s capacity to manage its systems and protect critical infrastructure.

Enhance risk management with observability

Observability is crucial for managing risks associated with Australia’s critical infrastructure. As cyber threats become increasingly sophisticated, including targeted attacks on public sector organisations, observability allows organisations to proactively detect and address vulnerabilities. Unlike traditional monitoring, observability integrates logs, metrics, and traces to provide a comprehensive view of system health and security. Cisco states that “observability provides organisations with detailed insights into their operations, improving their ability to detect and respond to anomalies.” 

Maintaining public trust and national security is vital, given the ongoing attacks on government entities by determined adversaries. This complex situation demands a robust approach to resilience and security to protect the nation’s essential infrastructure effectively. Observability equips organisations to detect anomalies and potential threats early, facilitating rapid response and mitigation. 

Additionally, observability supports compliance with stringent cybersecurity regulations, such as those outlined in the recent amendments to the 2018 SOCI Act. Fragmented and siloed data across organisations and service boundaries limit visibility and collaboration. In contrast, coordinated cyber-uplift programmes that focus on increased visibility and system hardening aim to strengthen cybersecurity. By leveraging observability, critical infrastructure providers can meet regulatory requirements and safeguard essential services from disruption.

Enhancing citizen services

Observability greatly enhances the management of critical infrastructure by providing comprehensive visibility across diverse IT environments, including on-premises, hybrid, and multi-cloud systems. This thorough approach enables quick issue detection and resolution, minimising service disruptions, and ensuring operational continuity. According to PwC, “observability tools deliver unified visibility crucial for proactive issue management and improved service reliability.” For example, a transport agency monitoring key road systems throughout Australia can integrate observability into its digital strategy. 

This integration allows the agency to gain detailed insights into traffic conditions, road quality, the effects of roadworks, and driver behaviours. Such capabilities minimise service interruptions and enable quicker responses to incidents. Cisco notes that “real-time insights from observability tools help organisations maintain high levels of service availability and operational efficiency.” By offering unified visibility, observability improves the citizen experience through real-time monitoring, enhanced service delivery, and optimised user interactions. Integrating observability into digital strategies ensures continuous service availability, prompt issue resolution, and superior experiences for citizens.

Strengthen framework with observability

Building a resilient digital framework for critical infrastructure requires a thorough strategy, with observability being a key component. This strategy involves incorporating observability into a broader risk management framework to effectively respond to both current and emerging threats. Observability tools collect data from logs, metrics, and traces, providing a comprehensive view of system performance and potential threats. 

Cisco notes, “Integrating observability across IT operations and security teams improves the ability to detect and address issues quickly, reducing system vulnerabilities.” Effective risk management relies on the capability to anticipate and address potential disruptions. Observability enables early detection of anomalies and security breaches, allowing for proactive measures. 

PwC states, “A resilient framework integrates observability to manage risks and comply with stringent regulatory requirements, thus strengthening overall security.” Observability supports compliance by delivering actionable insights into system performance and security, aiding in meeting regulatory demands, and fostering faster, data-driven decision-making. The Lowy Institute adds, “Observability ensures that critical infrastructure meets regulatory standards while promoting an environment that supports technological advancement.” In a landscape where cyber threats grow more sophisticated and downtime can be costly, proactive risk management in the public sector is essential.

Justin Lance Marcel Lavadia

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Justin Lavadia is a content producer and editor at Public Spectrum with a diverse writing background spanning various niches and formats. With a wealth of experience, he brings clarity and concise communication to digital content. His expertise lies in crafting engaging content and delivering impactful narratives that resonate with readers.

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