Defence SA's mock cyber attack highlights cyber threat

Cybercrime is now the world’s seventh biggest economic threat, costing Australia an estimated $16 billion over the next decade.

UniSA’s City West Campus has played host to a mock cyber attack, designed to demonstrate the threat that cybercrime can pose to national security, defence, financial and administrative systems.

Defence SA and Defence Teaming Centre staged the mock attack as part of its industry forum aimed at improving the cyber resilience and capabilities of South Australian companies bidding for work in the lucrative defence industry.

The forum, which was the third in a series, included practical demonstrations of cyber attacks and threats, including phishing emails, malware and computer scams that allow hackers to steal files, access sensitive information and paralyse entire systems.

“Cyber vulnerability is a serious and evolving threat across all industries, including the high-tech, multibillion-dollar defence industry. Cyber attacks on large Australian companies and government agencies happen daily and can have devastating impacts, so it is vital we protect ourselves and our information,” said Defence Industries Minister Martin Hamilton-Smith.

“Australia features prominently as a target for cyber attacks due to our rapid adoption of technology and relative global wealth — yet another reason to be ahead of the game.”

Image credit: ©iStockphoto.com/Gawrav Sinha

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