National Affairs

New cyber security centre has job ahead of it

27th June, 2010 by Ernie Davitt | ASM May-June 2010
The Government’s new multi-agency Cyber Security Operations Centre (CSOC) is now up and running, gathering intelligence and recommending ways to combat attacks on critical computer networks.
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New body to review terrorism and national security laws

27th June, 2010 by Ernie Davitt | ASM May-June 2010
The Federal Government has set up an independent monitor to oversee Australia’s counter-terrorism and national security laws.
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Anti-skimming task force formed

27th June, 2010 by Ernie Davitt | ASM May-June 2010
NSW Police have formed a special strike force to combat an upsurge in credit card fraud focusing on ‘skimming’, which saw one operation steal over $50 million from customer accounts earlier this year.
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Counter-Terrorism White Paper: No surprises in new paper

7th June, 2010 by Ernie Davitt | ASM May-June 2010
There’s good news with fresh investment in the high end of the Australian security industry, but despite a tweaking of counter-terrorism (CT) strategy, there were no real surprises in the thrust of the Federal Government’s new Counter-Terrorism White Paper.
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CT White Paper opens doors

7th June, 2010 by Graeme Mickelberg | ASM | May-June 2010
In the wake of the release of the new Counter-Terrorism White Paper, Graeme Mickelberg looks at the potential opportunities for Australian businesses.
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Filtering laws set for failure

21st April, 2010 by ernie Davitt | ASM Mar-Apr 2010
A group of Australian technology experts says the Government’s proposed internet censorship will not be effective.
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2010: A year of change for the private security industry

7th April, 2010 by Ernie Davitt | ASM Jan-Feb 2010
Major changes are in the pipeline to help clean up the private security industry in Australia in 2010, with an emphasis on reform of licensing systems, upgraded training standards and a new focus on the technical side of the industry.
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Crackdown on fraudsters: tougher penalties

7th April, 2010 by Ernie Davitt | ASM Jan-Feb 2010
Despite considerable effort by governments to educate the community about online and other consumer fraud, hundreds of people are still falling prey to criminals and tricksters.
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New laws needed to prosecute invasion of privacy cases

7th April, 2010 by Ernie Davitt | ASM Jan-Feb 2010
In the age of smart CCTV cameras and high-tech security snooping, a leading legal watchdog has called for a new uniform cause of action for serious invasion of privacy as part of national law reform.
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Threat to thousands of coastal homes, infrastructure

24th July, 2009 by Ernie Davitt | ASM | Jan-Feb 2009
Australian emergency management planners and the insurance industry are digesting the latest predictions of the fallout from global warming, which suggest that the speed of climate change has been significantly underestimated. Ernie Davitt has the story.
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Defining the ‘critical’ and the ‘protection’ components of critical infrastructure protection

24th July, 2009 by Edith Cowan University | ASM | Jan-Feb 09
Western Australia’s Edith Cowan University (ECU) is actively supporting the initiative of the Attorney-General’s Department to identify what is ‘critical infrastructure’ in Australia and how this should be protected through its Security Science Department.
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Stronger laws to combat aviation and maritime security

26th January, 2009 by Ernie Davitt, National Affairs Ed | ASM | Nov-Dec
The Federal Government has legislated new laws to strengthen Australia’s maritime and aviation security regimes against threats of terrorism and other criminal behaviour.
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New Defence science facility to boost port security

26th January, 2009 by Ernie Davitt, National Affairs Ed | ASM | Nov-Dec
A new $8.5 million Defence research facility in Sydney is to play a major role in assessing security risks at Australia’s busiest seaports, including development of counter-terrorism measures.
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Security 2008 delivers groundbreaking security solutions

14th October, 2008 by
More than 150 local and international exhibitors participated in the latest security expo at Security 2008, transforming the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre into a showcase for today’s security innovations.
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Business urged to join fight against organised crime

14th October, 2008 by Ernie Davitt, National Affairs Ed | ASM | Sep-Oct
The global police agency, Interpol, is helping national police services combat the growing scourge of transnational crime.
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Accelerated use of high tech at borders

14th October, 2008 by
Australia is likely to see accelerated use of high technology such as biometrics which will revolutionise border protection and passenger movements, particularly at airports.
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Getting intelligence right

14th October, 2008 by Ian Wing | ASM | Sep/Oct 2008
In the wake of weaknesses exposed over Iraq’s WMDs, and the ongoing challenge of terrorism, Australian intelligence is about to undergo major reforms. Ian Wing has this report.
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E-security Review prompted by cyber attacks

14th October, 2008 by Ernie Davitt, National Affairs Ed | ASM | Sep/Oct
The Federal Government’s whole-of-government review of e-security – prompted by intelligence community concerns about an upsurge in cyber attacks against government, business and community CIT systems – is expected to be completed by the end of October.
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National criminal intelligence system coming

14th October, 2008 by Ernie Davitt, National Affairs Ed | ASM | Sep/Oct
Federal, State and Territory police are expected to have new technology in place next year which will allow instant exchange of information about criminals and suspects from around Australia.
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Research produces security technologies

14th October, 2008 by Jane Symonds | ASM | Sep/Oct 2008
The CSIRO’s Secure Australia program is having commercial success with its security technology research and development.
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Seagoing patrol vessels strengthen police CT role

14th October, 2008 by Ernie Davitt, National Affairs Ed | ASM | Sep/Oct
State Police marine commands are being strengthened with bigger, high-tech ocean-going patrol boats to help counter terrorism and seaborne crime.
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Aviation security screening report being finalised

14th October, 2008 by Ernie Davitt, National Affairs Ed | ASM | Sep/Oct
The new External Advisory Group assisting the Rudd Labor Government in its review of security screening at the nation’s airports is expected to report before Christmas.
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$3m to help volunteers fight disasters

14th October, 2008 by Ernie Davitt, National Affairs Ed | ASM | Sep/Oct
The Federal Government has provided $3 million in funding grants to boost the recruitment, retention and training of volunteer organisations at the front line of emergency management.
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New patrol boat and more aircraft for northern Australia

29th August, 2008 by Ernie Davitt, National Affairs Editor | ASM | July
Border and environmental protection, combating illegal foreign fishing and the fight against people smuggling in northern Australia have been strengthened with more aircraft and a new patrol vessel.
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Fundamental rethink needed on intelligence

17th August, 2008 by Ernie Davitt | ASM | June 2008
One of the models being looked at in the Federal Government's Homeland Security review echoes the UK system under which most agencies come under a separate Ministry for Home Affairs.
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High Priority Spending continues on National Security

28th September, 2008 by Ernie Davitt, National Affairs Editor | ASM | June
The Rudd Government has continued high-priority Federal spending across Australia’s national security agencies in its first national Budget, with a total of $5.3 billion allocated to the Attorney-General’s portfolio alone.
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Exercises simulate terrorist prosecutions

29th August, 2008 by Ernie Davitt, National Affairs Editor | ASM July/A
The Australian Federal Police, ASIO and other members of the Australian intelligence community are taking part in regular exercises to simulate the investigation and prosecution of terrorism offences. Ernie Davitt has the story.
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Biometrics Challenges Security Industry in the 21st Century

18th August, 2008 by Dr Chris Flaherty | ASM | June 2008
Biometrics Security represents a new commercial model for Australia's security industry. What is Biometrics?
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National DNA database expanded

29th August, 2008 by Ernie Davitt, National Affairs Editor | ASM July/A
The national DNA database, used by police and law enforcement agencies to connect offenders with unsolved crimes, has now been expanded to about 400,000 DNA profiles obtained from human biological samples.
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Expanded seabed puts pressure on national security assessment

29th August, 2008 by Ernie Davitt, National Affairs Editor | ASM July/A
The recent UN decision confirming Australia's jurisdiction over the resources within an additional 2.5 million square kilometres of seabed will have a major impact on Australia's national energy security assessment, as Ernie Davitt writes.
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Getting down to business: industry action needed for security innovation

13th October, 2008 by Chris Flaherty | ASM | Jun 2008
Dr Chris Flaherty catches up with Senator the Hon. Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research to talk about R&D, Innovation and the Australian security industry.
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Border security upgrade under the microscope

13th August, 2008 by Ernie Davitt | ASM | April 2008
National Affairs Editor, Ernie Davitt looks at the possibilities of the Rudd Government making budget cutbacks in border security.
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Aviation security faces vulnerability

13th October, 2008 by Doug Nancarrow, Editor | ABAP | ASM | Jun 2008
Australian aviation security is yet to be tested by a major threat on the scale of those seen in the US and UK. But as Doug Nancarrow reports, the industry must keep pace with increased security demands.
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Security intelligence: countering espionage in the 21st century

13th August, 2008 by Ernie Davitt | ASM | March 2008
ASIO has warned that espionage, including the area of IT and information security is alive and well in the new millennium. National Affairs Editor Ernie Davitt has the story.
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Homeland Security plans under review

13th August, 2008 by Ernie Davitt | ASM | February 2008
National Affairs editor, Ernie Davitt reports that all eyes are on the new Australian Labor Government as its implements its national security policy.
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