The Federal Government has officially opened the Cyber Security Operations Centre in Canberra as part of its commitment to understanding the cyber threat.

Minister for Defence, Senator John Faulkner, said the establishment of Defence’s cyber security centre was a “major step” in meeting the Government’s 2009 Defence White Paper.

“Cyber security is one of the Government’s top national security priorities and the Cyber Security Operations Centre is a key part of a national cyber security initiative set by Government,” Senator Faulkner said.

“Cyber attacks on Government and critical infrastructure constitute a real threat to Australia’s national interest.”

The Centre will develop capabilities to gain an edge in the cyber space domain and provide critical understanding of the cyber threat, Senator Faulkner said.

 “The Cyber Security Operations Centre is well placed in the Defence Signals Directorate,” he said. 

“It fits naturally with the DSD’s important role as the Commonwealth national authority on information security, providing government with protective security advice and assistance.

“The Cyber Security Operations Centre will employ around 130 highly-skilled information technology experts, engineers and analysts drawn from the DSD.

“There will also be representatives from the Defence Intelligence Organisation and the ADF and scientists from the Defence Science and Technology Organisation as well as representation from the Attorney-General’s Department, ASIO and the AFP.”

The Government announced two other cyber security measures in the 2009-10 Budget: the creation of the new national computer emergency response team, CERT Australia; and a study for the reduction in the number of Australian Government internet gateways.