AusCERT

AusCERT is a non-profit organisation founded in 1993, that provides advice and solutions to cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities. The organisation covers their costs through member subscriptions, attendees to the annual AusCERT conference and service contracts.

AusCERT
HeadquartersThe University of Queensland
Websitehttps://www.auscert.org.au

History

In the early 1990s, Australian university student Nahshon Even-Chai hacked into the NASA computer system during his spare time.[1] This triggered a chain reaction, causing businesses and government bodies to develop awareness for the need of improved information security. As a result, three Australian universities (Queensland University of Technology, Griffith University, and the University of Queensland) came together to form AusCERT. They aimed to create a central source for information security and protection.

AusCERT is one of Australia’s only Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT), and is one of the oldest CERT in the world. As a Member of FIRST, AusCERT is part of a worldwide network of computer security incident response and security teams.[2] These teams work together to voluntarily deal with computer security problems and formulating prevention methods.

Their office is located on The University of Queensland campus.[3]

Services

AusCERT covers their costs by selling member subscriptions and service contracts to individuals and businesses. The organisation boasts its 24/7 support and incident management against cyber threats. Other services include phishing take-down, security bulletins, incident notifications, sensitive information alerts, early warning SMS, and malicious URL feeds.[4]

Engaged and active within the incident response teams at a global level; AusCERT is a charter member[5] of APCERT [6][7][8] as well as a member of the Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams (FIRST).[9][10]

AusCERT Annual Conference

AusCERT has been hosting cybersecurity conferences in Australia since 2002. The conference takes place every year with presentations and hands-on tutorials for industry professionals. The AusCERT Conference is the oldest information security conference in Australia and was once the biggest conference in the country.

Over the last few years, the conference has attracted approximately 800 participants, 50 sponsors and more than 50 speakers. The four-day program generally includes tutorials, keynote speakers, a gala dinner and Australian Information Security Awards, and a speed debate.[11]

In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, AusCERT hosted their first virtual conference with over a 1000 delegates registering. The conference MC was Adam Spencer and featured speakers Julie Inman (eSafety Commission), Kana Shinoda (Code Blue), and Lukasz Gogolkiewicz (Seek).[12]

Additional Activities

The organisation currently supports and shares cybersecurity techniques openly with the following groups:

  • The Australian Access Federation,[13]
  • Cyber Security threat annual surveys with BDO,[14]
  • International Training with APNIC,[15]
  • Training and support with KrCERT,[16] and
  • Council of Australian University Directors of Information Technology (CAUDIT).[17]

References
  1. "NFSA Digital Learning - Hackers (2001)". NFSA Digital Learning. Archived from the original on 2023-03-29. Retrieved 2023-08-11.
  2. "FIRST Members". FIRST — Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams. Retrieved 2021-02-16.
  3. "UQ Org Units - The University of Queensland, Australia". www.uq.edu.au. Retrieved 2021-02-16.
  4. "Our Services | Cybersecurity Services Australia | AusCERT". www.auscert.org.au. Retrieved 2021-02-16.
  5. "APCERT 2003 Annual Report" (PDF). Asia Pacific Computer Emergency Response Team (APCERT).
  6. "APCERT Asia Pacific Computer Emergency Response Team". Archived from the original on 2003-05-03.
  7. "Member Teams : About APCERT / APCERT". www.apcert.org. Retrieved 2019-12-18.
  8. "Introduction of APCERT" (PDF). Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
  9. November 4, Team InformationTeam name AusCERT Official team name Australian Computer Emergency Response Team Member since; listings. "AusCERT". FIRST — Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams. Archived from the original on 2006-06-14. Retrieved 2019-12-18.
  10. "Australian Access Federation (AAF)" (PDF). openresearch-repository.anu.edu.au.
  11. Ford, Craig (2019-06-04). "AusCERT2019: An interesting experience". CSO Online. Archived from the original on 2019-12-18. Retrieved 2019-12-18.
  12. "Keynote Speakers | AusCERT Cyber Security Conference". AusCERT Conference. Retrieved 2021-02-16.
  13. Australian Access Federation (presentation)
  14. "2018/19 Cyber Security Survey: Response not just prevention". www.bdo.com.au. Archived from the original on 2021-02-26. Retrieved 2021-02-16.
  15. "Cybersecurity training series builds skills and regional cooperation". APNIC Blog. 2019-06-13. Retrieved 2021-02-16.
  16. https://www.apcert.org/documents/pdf/annualreport2005.pdf
  17. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2019-12-18. Retrieved 2019-12-18.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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