Australia launches elite cybercrime hub to counter rising digital threats
Australia has bolstered its cybersecurity efforts with the opening of a new federal police-led centre, the Joint Policing Cybercrime Coordination Centre (JPC3). The centre is part of the Morrison Government's $1.67 billion Cyber Security Strategy and is designed to aggressively target and combat cyber threats.
The JPC3, based in the AFP's New South Wales Headquarters, has received $89 million in funding. It aims to shut down cyber threats and bring offenders to justice using far-reaching Commonwealth legislation and high-end technical capabilities. The centre is a key part of Australia's National Plan to Combat Cybercrime, which is available for download from the Department of Home Affairs' website.
The JPC3 brings together the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD), domestic and international industry partners, intelligence agencies, and law enforcement agencies. This collaboration is crucial as cybercrime requires significant international cooperation to be effectively countered. The centre will investigate and prosecute cybercrime, combat dark web crime, protect against ransomware, facilitate digital information exchange with US authorities, and launch a public information campaign.
The JPC3's establishment underscores the federal government's commitment to combating cybersecurity, which Minister for Home Affairs Karen Andrews has noted as one of the fastest growing and most prolific forms of crime against Australians, particularly during the pandemic. The centre's comprehensive approach, combining legislation, technology, and international collaboration, is expected to significantly enhance Australia's cybersecurity capabilities.
