Audits will be conducted on every internet-facing technology

Federal government agencies are to be drastic audits for the Internet, with a movement that seems to be driven by the growing fear of foreign interference. This initiative has been contributed to the potential threats of national security and is obliged by the Interior Secretary Stephanie Foster. With the recent modest orders, Foster calls on all federal agencies to evaluate the vulnerabilities of the online system.

Controls have been extended to nearly 200 entities and companies under the Federation, and have been forced to share detailed information on cybermen with the Australian Signal Division (TSA). This series of instructions based on the protection service policy frame work (PSPF) indicates an important government's intervention last year, reminiscent of the ban on Tiktok's controversy from CommonWealth Devices.

This decision also emphasizes the growing concern within the Australian authorities regarding foreign influence through digital streets. As the audit progresses, the Commonwealth appears unwavering in its commitment to strengthening defences against potential cyber intrusions, recognising the measures as an important step to protect national interests in an increasingly interconnected digital environment.

On the same day that the ministerial guidance was released, Home Affairs Minister Claire O'Neill also announced a series of new measures aimed at addressing the threat of foreign interference across Australian society. According to the instructions of PSPF 001-2024, the government organization "determines the risk indicators of foreign property, control or influence (FOCI) on procurement and maintenance of technical assets, and properly manage and report these risks. Was instructed.

The order further explains that foreign intervention refers to the activities conducted on behalf of foreign power or for that purpose. Until June next year, government agencies have been proposed to "implement a process when purchasing technical assets to identify and manage potential focus risks." In her second directive, Ms. Foster ordered a comprehensive assessment of the technology assets of all internet-accessible systems or services to identify those that are directly controlled or managed on behalf of the enterprise.

Federal agencies are also tasked with developing technology security risk management plans specific to their internet-accessible systems and services, which form an integral part of the agency's broader security strategy. Under the Third Directive, all Australian government agencies that use threat intelligence sharing platforms are required to actively exchange cyber threat information with the Australian Signals Agency.

Sarah Sloan, head of government affairs and public policy at Palo Alto Networks, said this was the second time the government had exercised its binding directive powers, the first being a mandatory directive banning the use of the TikTok app on devices issued by a federal department or agency. He said the catalog focuses on the attack surface and is "well suited" to help governments quickly find and protect vulnerable systems.