RMIT expert available for comment on the recent Optus hack

Professor Matthew Warren, Director, Centre for Cyber Security Research and Innovation

Topics: cyber attacks, cyber security, hacking, cyber laws, Optus

“Australian organisations have had thirty years to get cyber security right and they have failed.”

“The Optus breach goes beyond recent state-based cyberattacks on government and large organisations such as WA parliament, Australian National University, Victorian Hospitals and Red Cross Australia.”

“Optus is part of Australia’s critical infrastructure, and this nationwide issue has potential to impact between 1.1 to 9.8 million Australian customers.”

“The Australian Government needs to step in and:

• Use its regulatory powers to force Australian organisations to improve their cyber security.
• Ensure that organisations meet mandatory cyber security requirements. 
• Issue penalties for organisations that fail in their cyber security duties.
• Undertake national cyber security exercises to determine Australia’s overall readiness to cyber security incidents.”

“Instead of seeing the Optus hack as just another cyber breach, it should be a key turning point.”

“Cyber crime isn't going away and will continue to become more prevalent and sophisticated. In our new cyber normal if steps are not undertaken then the situation will be repeated time after time.”

Professor Matt Warren is the Director of the Centre for Cyber Security Research and Innovation and a Professor of Cyber Security at RMIT University. 

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Interviews: Matt Warren, 0432 745 171 or matthew.warren2@rmit.edu.au

General media enquiries: RMIT Communications, 0439 704 077 or news@rmit.edu.au