Australian cyber ambassador slammed by Chinese embassy official over Beijing cyber-attack accusations.
Australian ambassador for cyber affairs and critical technology, Brendan Dowling noted that the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) identified that state-sponsored hackers were a major threat to Australian agencies, organisations and critical infrastructure, adding that China was the main source of these attacks. A response from a Chinese embassy official claimed, “China disputes the Australian government’s assessment, China is a positive force for good across the world.”
Australia and India embrace an edge in critical tech, cyber and space.
From tackling cyber threats to unlocking critical tech innovation, Australia and India are forging a powerful partnership. India’s energetic participation in the Quad and national resilience policies should be a sign to Australia that continued collaboration in these fields between the two countries, as well as their allies are helping build a more secure and prosperous digital future for the Indo-Pacific.
US Condemns Iran, Issues Sanctions for Cyber-Attacks on Critical Infrastructure.
The US has slammed Iran for “destabilizing and potentially escalatory” cyber-attacks on critical infrastructure. The remarks were made in a statement that announced sanctions against six Iranians for last year’s cyber-attack against Unitronics, an Israeli manufacturer of programmable logic controllers used in the water sector and other critical infrastructure organisations.
Police seize 132 litres of liquid meth concealed in washing detergent.
A Melbourne man has been charged after allegedly being linked to the attempted importation of 132 litres of liquid methamphetamine concealed in bottles of washing detergent. A joint AFP and Victoria Police Major Drug Squad investigation - Operation Rainier/Enfield - began in January 2024 after Australian Border Force (ABF) members detected anomalies in a consignment of pallets containing bottles labelled as ‘ultra concentrate detergent’.
The total volume of the methamphetamine was determined to be 132 litres, which has an estimated street value of $30 million. “This significant seizure demonstrates the importance of the collaboration between the AFP and our law enforcement partners to disrupt attempts by organised crime to import illicit drugs.” Det Acting Supt Briggs said.
China’s recognition of the Taliban sets a dangerous precedent.
On 30 January, 2024, President Xi Jinping provided further evidence that China formally recognises the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan. This sets a dangerous international precedent and is a morally moribund approach to international relations which puts selfish resource security concerns firmly ahead of human rights and global wellbeing as China’s primary philosophical approach to international affairs. China has made it clear that they will provide economic and developmental support to the Taliban, in exchange for security assurances, reflecting a strategic approach that prioritises resource stability and the suppression of Uyghur militancy.
IntelBrief: Sanctions Add Pressure on the Axis of Resistance.
The United States and its partners have imposed additional sanctions on Iran and its axis of resistance partners to try to deny them the resources to continue their ongoing campaign of armed attacks. Sanctions imposed since mid-January have targeted Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Iranian allies in Yemen, Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon, and companies and persons helping these groups move money and weapons around the region.
Buyers of Iranian oil, primarily oil trading companies in China, are unlikely to reduce their purchases in response to expanded U.S. sanctions enforcement. Adding these sanctions is likely to have only marginal effect on Iran and its allies, in large part because they operate on the periphery of the global financial system.
Reducing risks, cost and time to acquire our AUKUS attack submarines.
Due to undercapitalization and manpower shortages, the United Kingdom’s submarine capability is diminishing and has fallen below critical mass, impacting its leadership role in designing submarines under the AUKUS agreement. For Australia, transitioning to AUKUS submarines from retiring Collins Class submarines poses challenges, especially in managing the different classes and regulatory regimes. On the other hand, using the Virginia class as a baseline for AUKUS submarines would streamline processes and reduce risks, enhancing operational capabilities, reduce costs, and improve interoperability between the AUKUS navies.
PRC state-sponsored actors compromise and maintain persistent access to US critical infrastructure.
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), National Security Agency (NSA), and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) assess that People’s Republic of China (PRC) state sponsored cyber actors are seeking to preposition themselves on IT networks for disruptive or destructive cyberattacks against U.S. critical infrastructure in the event of a major crisis or conflict with the United States.