Govt looks to protect critical Aust IT systems

The federal government has set up a program aimed at identifying vulnerabilities in Australia's critical IT infrastructure.

The government has set up the Computer Network Vulnerability Assessment (CNVA) Program. Philip Ruddock, federal attorney general, said the program would identify weaknesses in existing computer networks and test systems to see how they could be compromised.

Ruddock said industries involved in the operation of critical infrastructure had become increasingly reliant on computers and computer networks.

As part of the program, specialist computer experts would be funded to help owners and operations of critical infrastructure to identify vulnerabilities.

“The growth in the use of the internet and the development of high speed connections between computer systems has transformed the way that organisations, companies and governments share information and do business,” Ruddock said.

However, Ruddock said that the reliance on high speed connections between computer systems and the internet wasn't without risks.

“Computer systems can be attacked and disabled in many ways by deliberate criminal acts such as hacking and cyber terrorism or by the accidental or deliberate distribution of a computer virus.”

According to a statement, the aim is to provide assistance to owners and operators of critical infrastructure in the New Year.