The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) and Services Australia have linked with Telstra to launch a pilot program to block cyber-criminals issuing malicious text messages.
The program is set out to identify and reject illegitimate phishing text messages, impersonating myGov and Centrelink, before they reach Telstra customers.
Minister for Defence, Senator Linda Reynolds said the ACSC’s insights into the tradecraft and motivations of cyber-criminals had been a key contribution to the pilot.
“Cyber security is a whole-of-community effort,” Senator Reynolds said.
“This pilot program, which will eventually lead to industry-wide solutions, demonstrates how Government and industry can work together to better protect Australians from cyber threats.”
Minister for Home Affairs, Peter Dutton said the Cyber Security Strategy 2020 contained initiatives to address the scourge of cyber-crime which was ripping off innocent Australians.
Minister for Government Services, Stuart Robert said it was more important than ever to protect Services Australia customers who might not be able to recognise a genuine communication from a scam.
“In the 2019-20 financial year, almost 920 Services Australia customers reported scam losses totalling more than $6.4 million — an increase of $500,000 from the previous year — with SMS in the top five methods that scammers used,” Mr Robert said.
Chief Executive of Telstra, Andy Penn said that with so many people working from home as well as relying on Government assistance through Services Australia, it was crucial to constantly evolve the approach to defending against malicious activity on its networks.
