Gov launches 'overdue' cyber security network for health sector

The federal government has injected $6.4 million into boosting cyber security in Australia’s healthcare sector through an information-sharing network.

Mirroring a model already used in the financial and critical infrastructure sectors, the pilot Information Sharing and Analysis Centre (ISAC) will focus on “cyber threats, responses and preventative measures” among health organisations.

Minister for Home Affairs and cyber security Clare O’Neil said healthcare organisations’ “access to sensitive data”, and their “struggle with building and funding strong cyber protections”, had made them a threat target.

“The last two years has been the beginning of a big, overdue national journey to lift up cyber security across the country to better protect our citizens,” she said in a statement.

“Healthcare faces a vulnerability trifecta. Cyber criminals know that every Australian depends on these essential services – and that they cannot afford to be offline over extended periods."

O’Neil added that “government intervention to kick-start [ISAC-like] networks in other high-risk sectors is long overdue”.

This year, the health sector once again ranked top in the Australian Information Commissioner’s data breach reporting.

Notable examples of targets in the past year include delectronic prescription provider MediSecure and Monash Health.