Australia is seeing a disturbing trend of cyber security attacks this year, with cyber criminals targeting critical infrastructure in an attempt to cripple to country.

Aside from recent attacks on telecommunications company Optus and medical insurance company Medibank, the use of ransomware and the increase in cybercrime-as-a-service have raised alarms within the sector as the federal government pushes new laws that can help organisations improve and adapt their cyber-defence capabilities.

Public Spectrum has caught up with Sam Grunhard, the Deputy Group Manager of the Department of Home Affairs’ Cyber and Infrastructure Security Centre, on the current cyber landscape and how organisations can further protect themselves against cyber threats and intrusions.

Sam Grunhard, in his role as the Cyber and Infrastructure Security Centre’s Deputy Group Manager, provides advice to Government on critical infrastructure security and resilience, implements Australia’s aviation and maritime security and telecommunications security legislation, and provides background-checking services for key industries.

In this interview, Sam explains the government’s work on minimizing cyber risks.

Check out our other Featured Leader interviews here.

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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