Move for tougher cyber laws

LEGISLATION to harden Australia’s critical infrastructure defences against a cyber attack will be introduced into the House of Representatives on Wednesday, with the government agreeing to split the Bill to rush a number of urgent changes through parliament.

As expected, the government will amend the Security Legislation Amendment (Critical Infrastructure) Bill 2020 to bring 11 new sectors, including defence, higher education and food and groceries, under the umbrella of critical infrastructure.

The Bill will require all critical infrastructure businesses to alert the government to all cyber attacks and, most controversially, will establish lastresort powers where the government will step in if a company is unable or unwilling to defend itself from a cyber attack.

This will include jail terms of up to two years for individuals who refuse to allow cyberspooks from the Australian Signals Directorate access to private company computers.

The legislation is being fasttracked amid fears Australia is vulnerable to a crippling attack.