Aussie Gov't Won't Help Fight Cyber Attacks

mask.of.sanity writes "Days after the Pentagon's #2 called for a NATO cyber-shield, the Australian government has announced it won't lift a finger to help the country's businesses to defend themselves against cyber attacks unless it presents a high risk to national security. Instead, Australia's security agencies will forge a response based on the 'pathology of the problem,' incorporating the risk the attack poses to government and the community. A senior security official said the government 'struggles to defend its own systems from the current threats,' let alone that of other industries. He went on to rubbish claims that existing military force strategies can be applied to cyber warfare, noting that the demarcation between civil attacks, such as domestic hacking, and those against nation-states, such as espionage, is blurry. Former US counter-terrorism advisor Richard Clarke said the US government has taken a similar line."

Comments

Re:Sweet!

[dakameleon]

This isn't the government saying it won't pursue prosecution if there is accusation of a crime within its jurisdiction, just that it is not the government's duty to provide protection against the specific instance of a crime possible occurring. On your twisted extension, that means they won't provide every citizen with a kevlar vest, though they do so for the military.