Australia

A nation of early adopters with a modern banking system and a national broadband network. It sounds like a tech paradise, but look under the covers, and all isn't as it seems.

Latest

Australia sees rise in cybercrimes on back of 'destructive' ransomware, state actors

Australia Cyber Security Centre says the number of reported cybercrime cases climbed almost 13% in the past year, with state actors an ongoing threat and ransomware the "most destructive".

November 4, 2022 by Eileen Yu in Security

Australia seeks stiffer penalty for data breaches amidst spate of security incidents

Government says it will push up maximum fines for serious or repeated data privacy breaches to AU$50 million, up from the current AU$2.22 million, in a move that follows a spate of cybersecurity incidents that compromised customer data, including Medibank.

October 25, 2022 by Eileen Yu in Security

Australia, Singapore ink green trade pact

Touted as the first bilateral green economy agreement, both countries will to develop interoperable policy frameworks that support new green growth sectors and drive tech development in the green economy.

October 18, 2022 by Eileen Yu in Energy

Australia kicks off investigation into Optus data breach

Office of the Australian Information Commissioner's scrutiny will focus on whether the Singtel-owned mobile operator, as well as its subsidiaries, took "reasonable steps" to safeguard data they held from unauthorised access and misuse.

October 11, 2022 by Eileen Yu in Security

Australia moots changes to privacy laws after Optus data breach

Government is revising regulations to allow telcos to temporarily share some of their customers' personal information, such as driver's licence and passport numbers, with financial services institutions to facilitate monitoring and remediation in the event of a data breach.

October 5, 2022 by Eileen Yu in Security

Optus reveals extent of data breach, but stays mum on how it happened

Of the 9.8 million customers impacted by the data breach, 1.2 million have at least one form of identification number that is valid, says the Singtel-owned Australian operator, adding that it has brought in Deloitte to investigate the breach, including how it occurred.

October 3, 2022 by Eileen Yu in Security

Australia government wants Optus to pay for data breach

Arguing that the recent data security breach "shouldn't have happened", Australia's Prime Minister wants Optus to pay for the replacement of passports--which details were compromised--and hints the country's cybersecurity laws may be updated to boost customer protection.

September 28, 2022 by Eileen Yu in Security

Optus security breach compromises customers' passport details

Australian operator says it is investigating "unauthorised access" of personal data belonging to its current and former customers, including dates of birth, phone numbers, and passport numbers.

September 21, 2022 by Eileen Yu in Security

Singtel adds $100M to startup investment arm

Singapore telco pumps another $100 million into its VC arm Innov8 to expand its investment portfolio across Southeast Asia, China, Australia, Israel, and the US.

August 2, 2022 by Eileen Yu in Startups

Singtel gives Optus more 'autonomy' to run enterprise unit

Move is part of the Singapore telco's reorganisation efforts that began last year to "decentralise" its operations and will give Optus direct accountability of its enterprise division.

June 14, 2022 by Eileen Yu in Networking

Australia's got no upload: New Zealand picks up broadband Bledisloe crown

The Australian National Broadband Network is held back by artificial restraints and shocking upload speeds.

May 31, 2022 by Chris Duckett in Home Networking

Australian National Disability Insurance Scheme provider breached and treating its database as compromised

CTARS breached in mid-May and some of the most sensitive data imaginable is now up on the dark web.

May 31, 2022 by Chris Duckett in Security

Singtel adds $100M to startup investment arm

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