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ARTICLE · 07 FEBRUARY 2022

Increased security and new regulation for critical infrastructure

Holding Redlich
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SOCI Act expanded to 13 critical infrastructure sectors. Amendments discussed. Key requirements under new laws.

AustraliaGovernment, Public Sector
Eleanor Scott
Eleanor Scott
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Following our previous discussion on the draft legislation, the Security Legislation Amendment (Critical Infrastructure) Act 2021 (Cth), which amends the Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018 (Cth) (SOCI Act), was passed on 2 December 2021. 

The SOCI Act has now been expanded from four critical infrastructure sectors (electricity, water, gas and ports) to include another nine sectors (communications, financial services and markets, data storage and processing, defence industry, higher education and research, energy, food and grocery, health care and medical, space technology, transport, water and sewerage).

To recap, critical infrastructure is broadly defined in the SOCI Act as:

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This publication does not deal with every important topic or change in law and is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances. If you have found this publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances please contact one of the named individuals listed.

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