"Cyber units from at least one nation state routinely try to explore and exploit Australia’s critical infrastructure networks, almost certainly mapping systems so they can lay down malware or maintain access in the future," Burgess said. Among the most important, he noted, are the ways in which foreign threat actors are weaponizing artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled disinformation and deepfakes, military espionage, and attacks against critical infrastructure that could cause damage to the military, government, and social cohesion. "ASIO's report reflects an increasingly combative international relations environment, increasing competition between great powers, and Australia's position in all of this — one which is both strategically critical and geographically fragile," Bugcrowd founder Casey Ellis says. The continent faces "relentless" military espionage, and increased cyber sabotage at the hands of authoritarian regimes, according to a high-ranking intelligence director. He went on to describe the trilateral security partnership between Australia, the UK, and the US (AUKUS) as "a priority target for intelligence collection, including by countries we consider friendly. "Critical infrastructure is the primary target [of nation-states] in the cyber domain. "Artificial intelligence will enable disinformation and deepfakes that can promote false narratives, undermine factual information, and erode trust in institutions," he explained. 19, Mike Burgess, director-general of security in charge of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), delivered an annual threat assessment encompassing the many national security threats facing Australia. Burgess pointed to Russia's war in Ukraine as an obvious case study in how governments can sabotage critical infrastructure to cause both physical and cyber consequences. Burgess also spoke of "greater threats" against Australia's military. "We recently discovered one of those units targeting critical networks in the US. Australian intelligence is projecting that foreign nations will increasingly attempt to sabotage its country's critical infrastructure.
This Cyber News was published on www.darkreading.com. Publication date: Thu, 20 Feb 2025 02:00:16 +0000