Cyber wall boost

HUNDREDS of cyber spooks will be hired by the Federal Government in a $1.35 billion counter-attack to protect Australians from malicious online threats.

As Australia is targeted by sustained cyber hacking from China, Prime Minister Scott Morrison will on Tuesday unveil the unprecedented decade-long boost to our cyber security agencies.

More than 500 online spies will join the Australian Signals Directorate, which will also receive $31 million to fight back against offshore cyber criminals.

Mr Morrison said the investment would “help ensure we have the tools and capabilities we need to fight back and keep Australians safe”.

The package also includes $62 million for the ASD to work with vulnerable businesses to combat online threats, delivering tailored advice to protect their systems.

A new cyberthreat sharing platform worth $35 million will be set up to provide intelligence to government and industry about malicious online activity and emerging threats.

And another $12 million will help the ASD team up with telecommunications companies to protect the devices of ordinary Australians.

“This package will enable ASD and Australia’s major telecommunications providers to prevent malicious cyber activity from reaching millions of Australians by blocking known malicious websites and computer viruses at speed,” Defence Minister Linda Reynolds said. Another $118 million will be used to expand the ASD’s data science and intelligence capabilities.