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ARTICLE · 23 OCTOBER 2021

The unveiling of the Australian Ransomware Action Plan

Gilchrist Connell
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The government's Ransomware Action Plan outlines a range of proposals intended to combat the threat of ransomware.

AustraliaTechnology
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On 13 October 2021, the Minister for Homes Affairs released the Australian Government's Ransomware Action Plan (Plan), which outlines a range of proposals intended to combat the threat of ransomware. This includes new notification obligations and criminal offences for cybercrimes.

Objectives

The Plan identifies three overarching objectives:

  1. prepare for and prevent attacks by building cyber resilience;
  2. assist with the response to and recovery from attacks by providing greater support to victims;
  3. disrupt and deter cybercriminals by strengthening Australia's legislative framework and taking greater offensive action to increase the risk of capture for criminals.

The initiatives in the Plan are intended to assist Australian individuals, businesses and critical infrastructure, complement measures currently in place to improve cybersecurity and build on the 2020 Cyber Security Strategy.

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