AI accelerating cyber threats, making regional cooperation crucial: Australian minister
Australian Assistant Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Matt Thistlethwaite tells CNA's Paul Sng that countries must work together to counter increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks and transnational cybercrime.
Australian Assistant Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Matt Thistlethwaite stated at Singapore International Cyber Week that AI is accelerating cyber threats, making transnational cooperation to combat cybercrime increasingly crucial. AI enables cybercriminals to launch attacks faster and on a larger scale, increasing the challenge for governments to keep pace with the growing threats.
Previously, cyberattacks required weeks of coding, but now can be carried out in seconds or minutes using AI. The Australian government has established an Office of AI to oversee the implementation of national AI standards and has existing laws requiring operators of critical infrastructure to take additional cybersecurity measures.
Australia and Singapore have renewed their cybersecurity cooperation agreement, planning to strengthen information sharing, joint exercises, training, and regional capacity building. Australia is also investing A$83.5 million over four years to strengthen cybersecurity capabilities across the Indo-Pacific, with a focus on helping Pacific nations equipped their public servants with the necessary training, expertise, and technology to respond to cyber threats.
Written by urgent.news from CNA - Singapore's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
