Australia unveiled the "largest-ever" boost in cybersecurity spending Tuesday, days after Prime Minister Scott Morrison spoke out about a wave of state-sponsored attacks suspected to have been carried out by China.

Morrison and government officials said the country would spend an additional $928 million on cybersecurity, around a 10 percent hike, taking the budget for the next decade to Aus$15 billion.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australia-sees-china-as-main-suspect-in-state-based-cyberattacks-says-report-307077">Australia sees China as main suspect in state-based cyberattacks, says report</a>

The largest chunk of the new money will help create 500 jobs within the Australian Signals Directorate, the government's communications intelligence agency.

Morrison&nbsp;revealed earlier this month that a "state-based actor" was targeting a host of government entities, public services and businesses.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australia-rejects-chinas-racism-warning-to-students-assures-safety-304729">Australia rejects China's racism warning to students, assures safety</a>

As with state-backed cyberattacks on Australia's parliament, political parties and universities last year, China was seen as the likely culprit.

Morrison said Tuesday that malicious cyber activity against Australia was increasing in frequency, scale and sophistication.

Australian is a part of the FiveEyes intelligence network, along with Britain, Canada, New Zealand and the United States&nbsp;but its cybersecurity funding pales compared to cyberpowers such as the US, China or Russia.&nbsp;

But Morrison said the funding was designed to "help ensure we have the tools and capabilities we need to fight back and keep Australians safe".

Beijing has clashed repeatedly with Canberra as it looks to increase the cost of Australia speaking out against Communist Party interests, but has publicly denied orchestrating the cyberattacks.

Most recently, Australia enraged China by calling for an investigation into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic.

But Canberra has also pushed back against what it describes as China's economic "coercion", covert influence campaigns and the use of technology companies like Huawei as a tool of intelligence-gathering and geopolitical leverage.&nbsp;

China has warned its students and tourists against going to Australia, slapped trade sanctions on Australian goods and sentenced an Australian citizen to death for drug trafficking.

Australia unveiled the "largest-ever" boost in cybersecurity spending Tuesday, days after Prime Minister Scott Morrison spoke out about a wave of state-sponsored attacks suspected to have been carried out by China.

Australia unveiled the "largest-ever" boost in cybersecurity spending Tuesday, days after Prime Minister Scott Morrison spoke out about a wave of state-sponsored attacks suspected to have been carried out by China. Morrison and government officials said the country would spend an additional $928 million on cybersecurity, around a 10 percent hike, taking the budget for the next decade to Aus$15 billion. Also read: Australia sees China as main suspect in state-based cyberattacks, says report The largest chunk of the new money will help create 500 jobs within the Australian Signals Directorate, the government's communications intelligence agency. Morrison revealed earlier this month that a "state-based actor" was targeting a host of government entities, public services and businesses. Also read: Australia rejects China's racism warning to students, assures safety As with state-backed cyberattacks on Australia's parliament, political parties and universities last year, China was seen as the likely culprit. Morrison said Tuesday that malicious cyber activity against Australia was increasing in frequency, scale and sophistication. Australian is a part of the FiveEyes intelligence network, along with Britain, Canada, New Zealand and the United States but its cybersecurity funding pales compared to cyberpowers such as the US, China or Russia. But Morrison said the funding was designed to "help ensure we have the tools and capabilities we need to fight back and keep Australians safe". Beijing has clashed repeatedly with Canberra as it looks to increase the cost of Australia speaking out against Communist Party interests, but has publicly denied orchestrating the cyberattacks. Most recently, Australia enraged China by calling for an investigation into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic. But Canberra has also pushed back against what it describes as China's economic "coercion", covert influence campaigns and the use of technology companies like Huawei as a tool of intelligence-gathering and geopolitical leverage. China has warned its students and tourists against going to Australia, slapped trade sanctions on Australian goods and sentenced an Australian citizen to death for drug trafficking.

Australian government boosts cyber security after state-backed attacks

Australia needs to boost its cyber security in cooperation with the United States in order&nbsp;to ''counter'' China, according to a recent report.

According to the report released Tuesday by the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney, the allies should jointly develop health care and digital infrastructure in developing Pacific nations and increase military cooperation amid ''immense global disruption and unprecedented domestic pressures''&nbsp;exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-threatens-retaliation-for-us-curbs-on-propaganda-outlets-307922">China threatens retaliation for US curbs on 'propaganda' outlets</a>

The report, titled 'Bolstering resilience in the Indo-Pacific: Policy options for Ausmin after Covid-19', describes a ''strategic environment''&nbsp;that has dramatically worsened amid a shifting balance of power resulting from declining US influence and an increase in China’s use of ''coercive statecraft.''

''These developments threaten to bring about the establishment of a Chinese sphere of influence by reducing the access and influence the US, Australia and others have enjoyed,''&nbsp;said the report, the release of which comes ahead of the annual Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations (Ausmin) at an undetermined date later this year.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australia-sees-china-as-main-suspect-in-state-based-cyberattacks-says-report-307077">Australia sees China as main suspect in state-based cyberattacks, says report</a>

Canberra and Washington, allies under a mutual defence treaty signed in the aftermath of Word War II, should cooperate in Pacific nations ''on joint projects which support the immediate pandemic response while advancing broader development outcomes in the region.''

''Bilateral cooperation provides an opportunity for continued American engagement in the region with a comparatively smaller investment of resources, which can leverage Australia’s pre-existing experience and relationships in the Pacific,''&nbsp;it said.

The report, produced with funding by the Australian Department of Defence and arms manufacturers Northrop Grumman and Thales, also calls on the countries to improve their capabilities to counter state-backed disinformation, which it describes as an ''urgent priority in light of China’s aggressive use of disinformation during Covid-19.''

Its release comes at a particularly difficult time for Australia-China relations, which have been strained in recent years by disputes over issues including the origin of the coronavirus, alleged Chinese cyber attack&nbsp;on Australia&nbsp;and Beijing’s assertive moves in the South China Sea.

Australia needs to boost its cyber security in cooperation with the United States in order to ''counter'' China, according to a recent report. According to the report released Tuesday by the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney, the allies should jointly develop health care and digital infrastructure in developing Pacific nations and increase military cooperation amid ''immense global disruption and unprecedented domestic pressures'' exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic.

Australia needs to boost its cyber security in cooperation with the United States in order to ''counter'' China, according to a recent report. According to the report released Tuesday by the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney, the allies should jointly develop health care and digital infrastructure in developing Pacific nations and increase military cooperation amid ''immense global disruption and unprecedented domestic pressures'' exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic. Also read: China threatens retaliation for US curbs on 'propaganda' outlets The report, titled 'Bolstering resilience in the Indo-Pacific: Policy options for Ausmin after Covid-19', describes a ''strategic environment'' that has dramatically worsened amid a shifting balance of power resulting from declining US influence and an increase in China’s use of ''coercive statecraft.'' ''These developments threaten to bring about the establishment of a Chinese sphere of influence by reducing the access and influence the US, Australia and others have enjoyed,'' said the report, the release of which comes ahead of the annual Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations (Ausmin) at an undetermined date later this year. Also read: Australia sees China as main suspect in state-based cyberattacks, says report Canberra and Washington, allies under a mutual defence treaty signed in the aftermath of Word War II, should cooperate in Pacific nations ''on joint projects which support the immediate pandemic response while advancing broader development outcomes in the region.'' ''Bilateral cooperation provides an opportunity for continued American engagement in the region with a comparatively smaller investment of resources, which can leverage Australia’s pre-existing experience and relationships in the Pacific,'' it said. The report, produced with funding by the Australian Department of Defence and arms manufacturers Northrop Grumman and Thales, also calls on the countries to improve their capabilities to counter state-backed disinformation, which it describes as an ''urgent priority in light of China’s aggressive use of disinformation during Covid-19.'' Its release comes at a particularly difficult time for Australia-China relations, which have been strained in recent years by disputes over issues including the origin of the coronavirus, alleged Chinese cyber attack on Australia and Beijing’s assertive moves in the South China Sea.

To 'counter' China, US and Australia need to boost cyber security: Report

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday said that the country is under cyberattack, targetting a "range of sectors" and the blamed it on a "sophisticated state-based cyber actor", with suspicions falling on China.

"This activity is targeting Australian organisations across a range of sectors, including all levels of government, industry, political organisations, education, health, essential service providers and operators of other critical infrastructure," Morrison said in a press conference.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australia-accuses-china-of-fuelling-infodemic-over-coronavirus-pandemic-306300">Australia accuses China of fuelling 'infodemic' over coronavirus pandemic</a>

He also warned the people of "specific risks" and an increased frequency of attacks and said that a range of sensitive organisations had been hit.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australian-citizen-faces-brunt-of-australia-china-dispute-sentenced-to-death-for-drug-smuggling-306140">Australian citizen faces brunt of Australia-China dispute; sentenced to death for drug smuggling</a>

Blaming "sophisticated state-based cyber actor", Morrison, however, did not name the culprit, saying that only one out of a handful of states could be behind this.&nbsp;

However, suspicions immediately grew on China as both Canberra and Beijing are in the middle of a heightened row, which first began after the former questioned the latter over its response to the coronavirus outbreak.

China recently has also imposed trade sanctions on Australian products and sentenced to death an Australian citizen on drug smuggling charges.

Australia's public broadcaster ABC mentioned "senior sources" to claim that China was believed to be behind such attacks.

Last year Australia's parliament and political parties were targetted by state-backed players, with China emerging as the likely culprit.

Canberra's former spymaster in 2019 accused Beijing of an "insidious" and systematic campaign of espionage and influence-peddling in an attempt to "take over" Australia's political system&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the Australian PM has warned opposition and state leaders of the cyberattacks.&nbsp;

Morrison did not provide details on the type of attacks that had taken place but said no personal data had been affected and many of the attempts were unsuccessful. 
&nbsp;

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday said that the country is under cyberattack, targetting a "range of sectors" and the blamed it on a "sophisticated state-based cyber actor", with suspicions falling on China.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday said that the country is under cyberattack, targetting a "range of sectors" and the blamed it on a "sophisticated state-based cyber actor", with suspicions falling on China. "This activity is targeting Australian organisations across a range of sectors, including all levels of government, industry, political organisations, education, health, essential service providers and operators of other critical infrastructure," Morrison said in a press conference. Also read | Australia accuses China of fuelling 'infodemic' over coronavirus pandemic He also warned the people of "specific risks" and an increased frequency of attacks and said that a range of sensitive organisations had been hit. Also read | Australian citizen faces brunt of Australia-China dispute; sentenced to death for drug smuggling Blaming "sophisticated state-based cyber actor", Morrison, however, did not name the culprit, saying that only one out of a handful of states could be behind this. However, suspicions immediately grew on China as both Canberra and Beijing are in the middle of a heightened row, which first began after the former questioned the latter over its response to the coronavirus outbreak. China recently has also imposed trade sanctions on Australian products and sentenced to death an Australian citizen on drug smuggling charges. Australia's public broadcaster ABC mentioned "senior sources" to claim that China was believed to be behind such attacks. Last year Australia's parliament and political parties were targetted by state-backed players, with China emerging as the likely culprit. Canberra's former spymaster in 2019 accused Beijing of an "insidious" and systematic campaign of espionage and influence-peddling in an attempt to "take over" Australia's political system Meanwhile, the Australian PM has warned opposition and state leaders of the cyberattacks. Morrison did not provide details on the type of attacks that had taken place but said no personal data had been affected and many of the attempts were unsuccessful.

Australian PM says country under cyber attacks by 'state-based actor'