❓ Dr. Honey questions the Premier about cybersecurity failures despite government investment. The Premier defends the government's record, citing increased investment, improved compliance, and global context.
AnsweredQoN 191Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
CYBERSECURITY —
GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
191. Dr D.J. HONEY to the Premier:
I have a supplementary question.
After six years in government, if the Premier is taking this seriously enough,
how are we seeing so many fundamental system failures?
GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
191. Dr D.J. HONEY to the Premier:
I have a supplementary question.
After six years in government, if the Premier is taking this seriously enough,
how are we seeing so many fundamental system failures?
AnswerView source ↗
I just outlined to the member that
there has been no evidence of misuse of health information, court proceedings,
prisoner information or child protection information. Secondly, I outlined to
him that we have announced $900 million in two tranches—I think the
first was $500 million and then another $400 million—for agencies
across government to enhance their cybersecurity and invest in IT systems. It
is the biggest investment in IT in the history of Western Australian
governments. Thirdly, we announced and established the cybersecurity operations centre two years ago, and 62 agencies have
connected. Considering the member referred to the last government, under the former Liberal–National government, more than 60 per cent of
entities failed to meet IT and cybersecurity benchmarks. This year, 66 per cent
of entities met information security framework benchmarks. It is a higher level
of compliance than before in relation to these matters.
Obviously, it requires continuous
improvement and continuous vigilance. We are not alone. The member makes out like this is a Western Australian government
issue. We are not alone; the whole world goes through this. Basically ,
every country, every business and every government is going through it.
Frankly, it is incredibly naive to think that somehow we are unique in this.
Every government and every business goes through it. Businesses that are
essentially IT businesses like Optus have been hacked and huge amounts of
information have been released. Other organisations have been attacked, because
this is the sort of thing that people and organisations out there do all day.
The main thing is that we are investing and we are taking action to deal with
it, and there have been some significant improvements.
there has been no evidence of misuse of health information, court proceedings,
prisoner information or child protection information. Secondly, I outlined to
him that we have announced $900 million in two tranches—I think the
first was $500 million and then another $400 million—for agencies
across government to enhance their cybersecurity and invest in IT systems. It
is the biggest investment in IT in the history of Western Australian
governments. Thirdly, we announced and established the cybersecurity operations centre two years ago, and 62 agencies have
connected. Considering the member referred to the last government, under the former Liberal–National government, more than 60 per cent of
entities failed to meet IT and cybersecurity benchmarks. This year, 66 per cent
of entities met information security framework benchmarks. It is a higher level
of compliance than before in relation to these matters.
Obviously, it requires continuous
improvement and continuous vigilance. We are not alone. The member makes out like this is a Western Australian government
issue. We are not alone; the whole world goes through this. Basically ,
every country, every business and every government is going through it.
Frankly, it is incredibly naive to think that somehow we are unique in this.
Every government and every business goes through it. Businesses that are
essentially IT businesses like Optus have been hacked and huge amounts of
information have been released. Other organisations have been attacked, because
this is the sort of thing that people and organisations out there do all day.
The main thing is that we are investing and we are taking action to deal with
it, and there have been some significant improvements.
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