Mahesh Sharma | July 08, 2008
THE federal Government is set to overhaul the digital security framework that protects government and business from electronic attacks.
Over the next three months, the Rudd Government will undertake a wide review of e-security measures, led by Mike Rothery, the assistant secretary for critical infrastructure protection in the Attorney-General's Department.The e-security review is a response to the proliferation of technology in business and government.
Mr Rothery will oversee an executive committee formed from senior representatives in ASIO, the Defence Signals Directorate, the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Government Information Management Office.
The review could lead to changes in funding committed to a number of agencies in 2007 by the Howard government in its four-year, $73.5 million e-security national agenda.
The big winners from that program were critical infrastructure protection, the federal police, the Defence Signals Directorate and the Australian Government Information Office, but the review will examine how well those security programs have been carried out.
The review will by completed by October and the findings will be used to develop a new Australian government e-security framework.
Queensland academic and digital security expert Bill Caelli said the review should enable an education and training program that equips all government and business personnel with the appropriate security skills.
"In the US there are specific institutions that provide the appropriate level of education and training to people in certain areas or positions," says Professor Caelli, who is assistant dean at Queensland University of Technology's information technology faculty.
"They're looking at legislating in order for that to be compulsory, and our government should consider a similar notion as well."
Shadow communications Minister Bruce Billson welcomed the review but he called on the Government to add cyberbullying to the terms of reference.
Members of the public and industry can put forward written submissions by July 31 through the website: www.ag.gov.au/esecurityreview