The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) has stepped up its fight against cyber crime during the COVID-19 pandemic by engaging with hospitals and health service providers across the nation, the Minister for Defence, Senator Linda Reynolds, has announced.
“Hospitals and other health care providers are on the frontline in our fight against COVID-19 and that is why we are working directly with them to reduce their risk of cyber compromise during an already very challenging period,” Senator Reynolds said.
“The ACSC is also providing a second layer of defence in detecting malicious cyber activity on critical Federal Government department networks, including the Department of Health.”
Senator Reynolds said the ACSC was collaborating with industry, law enforcement and government partners to identify and disrupt offshore cyber criminals who were launching COVID-19 themed cyber scams and phishing attacks in Australia.
Head of the ACSC, Abigail Bradshaw, said the Centre could see first-hand the devastating impact of cyber crime.
“At the ACSC, we are absolutely committed to making sure Australians remain safe online and our vital services are protected,” Ms Bradshaw said.
“We are arming Australians, businesses and key sectors, like health and medical services, with information on the threats and practical assistance to enable them to better protect themselves against these global cyber criminals.”
She said that for the latest information and advice about how to protect oneself against COVID-19 themed malicious cyber activity, as well as securing remote working and web-conferencing solutions, readers should visit the ACS website.
The website can be accessed at this PS News link.
