Cybersecurity spending gets $1.35 billion boost in wake of online attacks against Australia

The Federal Government wants to create more than 500 new jobs in its highly secretive cyber intelligence agency as part of what it says is Australia's largest-ever investment in cybersecurity. Key points: The $1.35 billion package includes $31 million to improve the Australian Signals Directorate's ability to disrupt cyber crime A further $118 million will be used to expand its data science and intelligence capabilities It is understood Australian officials believe China is responsible for recent cyber hacking activity Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced $1.35 billion in existing defence funding would be spent over the next decade to boost the cybersecurity capabilities of the Australian Signals Directorate and the Australian Cyber Security Centre. Mr Morrison said the package included $31 million to improve ASD's ability to disrupt overseas cybercrime and $118 million to expand its data science and intelligence capabilities to identify emerging cyber threats. "For example, this package will enable ASD and Australia's major telecommunications providers to prevent malicious cyber activity from reaching millions of Australians by blocking known malicious websites and computer viruses at speed," she said. Senator Reynolds said the package was part of an overall $15 billion spend on cyber and information warfare capabilities over the next decade, to be outlined in Defence's upcoming 2020 Force Structure Plan.