From Russia’s cyberattacks against Ukraine’s critical infrastructure and government to increasingly sophisticated cybercrime threats, the developing cyber threat landscape is creating greater havoc globally. Hybrid warfare—meaning conflict short of direct military action as well as a capability of military projection—is the new reality, creating risks for individuals, businesses, and governments.
Glenn Maiden, director of threat intelligence, FortiGuard Labs ANZ, said, “The geopolitical environment in the Indo-Pacific region surrounding Australia is also undergoing a significant transformation, characterised by heightened competition in the South China Sea, vying for influence in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, stress on global supply chains, the substantial effects of climate change, and ageing critical infrastructure that is susceptible to both natural and manmade disruptions.
“As tensions persist, Australia faces a rising wave of nation-state backed cyberattacks aimed at both national security and economic interests."
Government response
The Australian government has responded to geopolitical instability by hardening public sector government networks against cyberattacks and by updating legislation strengthening the security and resilience of critical infrastructure.
Delivering on this plan will require extensive industry engagement and a new level of trusted cooperation between the public and private sectors.
Public-private partnerships
Investing in research and development is a vital aspect of government efforts to lower cyber threats to critical infrastructure and supply chains. Collaboration is necessary to effectively tackle these threats with all stakeholders, including government, critical infrastructure operators, and cybersecurity companies sharing their knowledge and expertise on potential threats.
Industries covered under critical infrastructure legislation face growing challenges due to complex and vulnerable supply chains. Australia's location and size limit local production of high-end cyber goods and services. By carefully selecting trusted global partners, Australia gains access to the best resources and expertise, creating more options for sourcing components and opportunities to handle more inventory with lower overhead costs.
With the convergence of industrial and IT systems, operational technology (OT) systems that were formerly protected from IT threats are now more vulnerable than ever. A reliable partner will focus on enhancing cyber resilience through advanced segmentation, access control, and malware protection, forming a comprehensive security architecture for complex OT networks.
Best practice cybersecurity calls for a holistic approach that protects against cyber threats at every point in complex businesses, critical infrastructure, and government operations. To achieve this, multiple layers of defence must work together to mitigate the risk of attacks. By thinking about cyber defence as an interconnected mesh, threats can be better and more quickly identified and addressed.
Protecting sovereign capability
Nicole Quinn, head of government affairs APAC, Fortinet, said, “We need to leverage the greater strength that will come from closer private and public sector security cooperation, working together on a shared protective mission. Greater cooperation between public and private entities will deliver better visibility into threats through shared intelligence, better use of scarce cyber specialists, and better management of incident response.
“The complexities of our interconnected world and increasing geopolitical uncertainties mean it’s more important than ever for government and industry to work together and create strategic partnerships to strengthen Australia’s resilience to cyber threats.”
For more information on government-industry partnerships in cybersecurity, download Fortinet’s latest whitepaper.