Budget allocates $13.6M

The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan said the package is part of a $73.6 million Government initiative to strengthen the electronic operating environment for business, home users and government agencies.

“The Australian Government has identified the protection of home users and SMEs from electronic attacks and fraud as an important priority. The e-security environment has changed significantly with an increase in more sophisticated and targeted attacks on home users and small to medium enterprises.

The initiative includes national awareness activities, including the annual National E-security Awareness Week to raise the level of awareness and to encourage smart online practices as well as the expansion of the Smart Online website to include a National Alert Service.

Furthermore, funding will go towards building an education module for schools on e-security and an expansion of the Australian Internet Security Initiative which identifies compromised home and SME computers and supports internet service providers to help their customers restore their computer security.

“This package of measures will provide Australians with the information and skills to improve their computer defences and ensure they stay smart online,” Senator Coonan said.

“I look forward to working with industry to raise the level of e-security awareness in the community. Consultations found that there was wide support for the Government and industry to work together on this issue.”