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       Australia Steps Up Cybersecurity Efforts Following Online Attacks

   by VOA News

   Australian Prime Minister Malcom Turnbull announced a sweeping new
   cybersecurity strategy Thursday to combat hackers after the country's
   weather bureau was compromised last year.

   "I can confirm reports that the Bureau of Meteorology suffered a
   significant cyber intrusion which was first discovered early last year,
   and the department of parliamentary services suffered a similar
   intrusion in recent years," Turnbull said in Sydney.

   Turnbull, a former online entrepreneur, said hacking costs the country
   around $780 million per year. He unveiled a plan that includes 33
   cybersecurity measures which he hopes will beef up the country's online
   defenses.

   As part of the plan, the government will partner with the private
   sector to fight online crime, Turnbull will appoint an assistant
   minister for cyber security, and the country will go on the offensive
   against cyber criminals. Turnbull said the Australian Signals
   Directorate - Australia's intelligence agency - had "very considerable
   capabilities," but didn't elaborate beyond that.

   The cybersecurity program will be funded by $180 million in new
   spending on top of the more than $300 million Australia has already
   committed to increase online security over the next decade.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/australia-steps-up-cybersecurity-effo
   rts-following-online-attacks/3295176.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/australia-steps-up-cybersecurity-efforts-following-online-attacks/3295176.html