Mahesh Sharma | July 04, 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 ranging review of e-security measures led by Mr Mike Rothery, the assistant secretary for critical infrastructure protection inside the Attorney-General's Department.The E-Security Review is a response to the increasing proliferation of technology in business and government.
Mr Rothery will oversee an executive committee formed from senior representatives in ASIO, Defence Signals Directorate, the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Government Information Management Office.
The review puts a question mark over 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 CIP, AFP, DSD, and AGIMO, but the review will now examine how well those security programs have been implemented.
The review will by completed by October 2008 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 provide for an education and training program that equips all government and business personnel with the appropriate security skills.
"In the United States there are specific institutions that provide the appropriate level of education and training to people in certain areas or positions," said Professor Caelli, Assistant Dean, Faculty of Information Technology Queensland University of Technology.
"They're now 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 called on the Government to add cyber bullying to the terms of reference.
Members of the public and industry can put forward written submissions by July 31, via the www.ag.gov.au/esecurityreview.