The Australian Internet Security Initiative is set to transition from the Australian Communications and Media Authority to the Computer Emergency Response Team Australia as part of a government-planned move of security functions from the authority.
The transfer tomorrow (1 July) of the longstanding and successful AISI from the ACMA follows a federal government review which recommended the move to ensure that the authority is a “modern, agile and responsive fit-for-purpose” communications regulator.
The review acknowledged the challenges facing the media and telecommunications industries and recognised the complex technology and commercial issues of the sectors the ACMA regulates.
ACMA acting chairman James Cameron says the ACMA has worked closely with the CERT for a number of months on transferring select cyber security functions so that they can be integrated with the CERT’s functions.
{loadposition peter}Cameron says the transfer of security functions will contribute to a “coordinated Commonwealth outreach strategy and clear messaging on cyber security awareness” in line with recommendation two of the review of the ACMA.
‘While we are proud of the ACMA’s important contribution to Australia’s cyber security framework for more than a decade, the transition is an exciting development as the AISI will be now be housed with similar programmes and expertise.
‘We expect an ongoing close relationship with the CERT, particularly for the ACMA’s work regulating unsolicited communications, including commercial spam.”
The AISI programme has been administered by the ACMA since 2005 and operates as a public-private partnership with Australian Internet providers voluntarily participating to help protect customers from cyber security threats.