The simple steps to improving national e-security
As more vital services come to rely on broadband, the security of our networks must be of the highest priority.
The Rudd Government has made a strong commitment to drive confidence in the online environment by promoting cyber-safety and e-security.
People are already enjoying a whole range of benefits and conveniences via the internet… home banking, education, business services and online trading, to name a few. With confidence, people and businesses are more likely to embrace new services and conduct more online transactions in the future.
Importantly, this activity supports companies and other organisations helping develop Australia’s digital economy. Confidence is essential to ensure Australia enjoys the productivity and employment benefits that will flow from our digital infrastructure investments.
This is of particular importance as we lay Australia’s broadband foundations.
The National Broadband Network will result in high-speed connectivity for all Australian homes and businesses. It will create new opportunities for companies to improve the way they deliver their products. Australians will have access to information and tools to conduct their day-to-day transactions.
Broadband will support huge improvements in health and in education. It will also support vital public services such as our electricity grids and water supplies.
Our increased dependence on broadband infrastructure and online services means we have a shared responsibility to ensure their security. People need to understand the simple steps they can take to be more secure online.
E-Security Awareness Week is an important part of our efforts in this area.
It is important that people are aware of common threats such as identity theft, phishing, viruses and trojan horses, hackers and people grooming others to gain their confidence, obtain their personal information and take advantage.
The messages for Australians are simple:
- get a better, stronger password and change it at least twice a year;
- get security software, and update and patch it regularly;
- stop and think before you click on links from unknown sources;
- be careful about the valuable personal details you give away online; and
- log on to http://www.staysmartonline.gov.au/ to join the email e-security alert service.
The messages are simple but they are not without merit. Ensuring people understand how to avoid losing bank details to criminals, how to avoid online scams and how to protect their personal information goes a long way to ensuring online confidence.
It is also a meaningful contribution to ensuring we secure the millions of home and business computer access points that exist on our national communications infrastructure. As more 
vital services come to rely on broadband, the security of our networks must be of the highest priority.
Of course, there is no silver bullet for e-security and the Government has a number of measures in place, including funding for 91 additional Australian Federal Police cyber-crime officers, to address online concerns.
However, ensuring the community is well educated about what they can do to be more secure online, and working with industry to continually evaluate threats and opportunities, are two simple steps the Government can take. E-security Awareness Week is a key part of our efforts in this area.
Senator Stephen Conroy, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
Friday 5 June 2009
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Senator Conroy is a special guest blogger of our "e-Secuity & Small Business" forum which is part of the National e-Security Awareness Week, an annual initiative aiming to raise awareness about the importance of e-security among Australians.
To learn more, visit http://www.staysmartonline.gov.au/ today.
To find out about how to protect your business and your customers and stay safe when working from home, go to http://www.staysmartonline.gov.au/small-business-security, or sign up for the following free services:
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